Dear Lyme Warrior,
The Chico Lyme Center would like to share “The Many Faces of Lyme”. Most people are unfamiliar with Lyme disease and the devastation it wreaks on those affected and their families. It is disconcerting to hear Lyme sufferers share their all to familiar stories of inaccurate testing, misdiagnosis, prolonged ineffective treatments, denial of health insurance coverage and the inaccessibility to Lyme literate health care professionals. We at the Lyme Center are committed to working together to change these dynamics through educating the public and health care professionals about Tick born diseases. This involves raising funds for seminars, tick warning signs, Lyme testing and various other programs. To facilitate this we would like to put a “face” on Lyme in our community to inform people just how devastating this disease is.
If you would be willing to write a paragraph about your Lyme journey for us to share on our web site for “The Many Faces Of Lyme” feature we would appreciate it, and you would be helping others. If you could also share a picture of yourself to put with your testimony, that would be great so that people can see that we are normal everyday people that look otherwise healthy. Only first names will be shared. The paragraph can describe a little about your life before Lyme, briefly your diagnosis or misdiagnosis story, and your current struggles, frustrations and victories. I know this can be difficult to do but I did it and I encourage you to help us, help others.
Please send your paragraph and pic here: https://thelymecenter.org/faces-of-lyme/submit-to-faces-of-lyme/. I have attached a media release form for you to sign and send to me or bring to a support group meeting, giving us permission to use your testimony.
Thanks so much, sincerely,
Debra Folsom
The following stories written by LYME patients are published here without alteration or editing , and are reproduced here exactly as received by THE LYME CENTER. They speak for themselves – plainly and powerfully! Do you have a LYME STORY? Please honor our first BRAVE pioneers sharing their accounts below! Join our voices – Share your story! Not in CHICO? We welcome all – California, USA, Canada, across the world!
TLC ‘ s Mission Statement : ” To promote community awareness, education, and advocacy about Lyme Disease and other tick – borne illnesses “
Want to make a tax-deductible donation towards any of the projects mentioned above? Please click here, or call (530) 877-6666.
Lyme Disease can affect all organs of the body
Chico, California. Friday, March 2, 2018
The Lyme Center of Chico, California (TLC), founded in 2008 as a Non-profit Organization, has announced four goals for 2018. ( These are profiled below )
Board of Directors Member, Michael Judson-Carr, emphasized the importance of working with the Volunteer Community of Lyme Patients and their families, co-workers, local media, and area businesses to achieve “our ambitious agenda”.
A donation-driven, member-supported organization, TLC is rapidly moving from a small patients’ association to a larger service organization as the number of Lyme-infected patients grows in Butte County and Northern California. TLC ‘s mission statement : ” To promote community awareness , education, and advocacy about LYME disease ond other tick-borne illnesses .”
Installing Tick Warning Signs on Chico Area Parks’ Hiking and Biking Trails
Warning the Public of ticks, and therefore possible Lyme Disease infection, ” has always been of primary importance to The Lyme Center (TLC) “, said Judson-Carr. A pilot project initiated in 2017 has resulted in the first signs being installed by the Chico Public Works Dept.
“Recently, we have been able to purchase 20 signs manufactured specifically under guidelines supplied to us by Chico Public Works Dept. for placement in Bidwell Park. We wish to thank Linda Herman and all the staff at Chico City Public Works Dept., for their guidance and co-operation with this project. We feel this will be a major step towards informing Chico Park users of the possible dangers associated with tick bites and tick borne diseases like Lyme. We have plans to manufacture and donate more signs for park trail placement soon. Thank you to all donors and sponsors of Lyme Aid 2017 for helping us make this happen.”
Chico Monthly Support Group and TLC Help Line
The Help Line (530 – 877 – 6666) for patients and their families has seen a ” 100% increase in requests for infection information and CDC-recognized symptoms, local support group contacts, and patient to patient support from Sept. 2017 thru Feb. 2018 ” Judson-Carr relates. ” Many calls for assistance originate in Nevada, Arizona, Utah, Iowa, Texas and other states” as well as “all over Northern California.”
Judson-Carr cites the recent attendance of Lyme Patients from Sacramento, Concow, Oroville, Paradise, and Forest Ranch at the Chico Monthly Support Group as evidence of the growing need for Lyme Patient support services in all areas of Northern California.
” 2018 will see an expansion of our (TLC) efforts at outreach to those infected and affected by this debilitating disease. “
LYME AID 2018 – TLC’s Primary Fundraising Event
The Annual Lyme Aid Event 2018 will take place on Friday, May 4, 2018 +from 6 to 9 pm at the Chico Women’s Club ( 3rd and Pine ) featuring live music, a silent auction, raffles and more. Currently scheduled to appear on stage are acts: Stevie Cook and Diane Garner, and Joe Hammons (Rhythm and Blues). ” This is the chance for all the public and local businesses to get to know us at TLC, what we accomplish, and how to support us in the future”, said Judson-Carr.
Lyme Disease Education Seminar – Fall 2018
Last year, the 2017 Lyme Disease Education Seminar was a great success, according to Judson-Carr. “Hosted by, and with the co-operation of Enloe Hospital, the event was free to the public and open to all Medical and Healthcare professionals. We had great Keynote speakers, attendance by nearly 100, and a warm reception in the Community. This year we hope to duplicate or increase our turn out. Watch our website, thelymecenter.org, and local media for dates and times this fall (2018)”.
