Ontario County Lyme Support Group

02/03/2026

Justin Timberlake returned to the stage this week for the first time since publicly sharing his Lyme disease diagnosis—and the moment meant more than music. 🎶🖤

After stepping back from touring last summer, opened up about living with Lyme disease, describing it as “relentlessly debilitating, both mentally and physically.” He spoke honestly about performing through nerve pain, extreme fatigue, and sickness—struggles that so many in the Lyme community know all too well.

This week, he performed at the Recording Academy Honors during a tribute to Pharrell Williams, marking a powerful return not just as an artist, but as someone choosing transparency over silence.

When public figures speak openly about Lyme disease, it matters.

It helps validate millions of people whose suffering is often unseen, misunderstood, or dismissed.

It reminds patients they’re not weak—and they’re not alone.

Lyme disease doesn’t always look the same.
It doesn’t always stop when treatment ends.
And it doesn’t care who you are.

At Tick Boot Camp, we believe awareness leads to validation—and validation leads to hope. We’re grateful when voices with global reach help shine light on what life with Lyme can really look like.

If you or someone you love is living this reality: we see you. 💚

02/03/2026

02/02/2026

CAMBRIDGE, MASS. (WHDH) - Tiny insects are spreading a devastating disease. Scientists at Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) believe they’ve discovered something that could help

02/02/2026

“BRINGING PERFORMING BACK”

Justin Timberlake has returned to the stage for the first time since sharing his Lyme disease diagnosis last summer. He performed at a January event honoring his longtime collaborator Pharrell Williams, singing and dancing through some of their biggest hits.

Six months ago, Timberlake explained that he continued touring despite “a massive amount of nerve pain” and overwhelming fatigue, symptoms that are often invisible to others. “Which I don’t say so you feel bad for me,” he wrote at the time, “but to shed some light on what I’ve been up against behind the scenes.”

Timberlake’s return highlights how so many of us with Lyme disease are often performing, working, and showing up for others while quietly managing serious and often debilitating health challenges.

Read more from E! News: https://www.eonline.com/news/1427963/justin-timberlakes-first-performance-sharing-lyme-disease-diagnosis

Justin Timberlake Pharrell Williams

02/02/2026

For many, Lyme disease is caught early — and treated quickly — with a standard course of antibiotics. But for others, recovery isn't straightforward.

02/02/2026

Burning pain with normal EMG is common in small fiber and post-infectious conditions. Learn why standard nerve tests miss this pain—and what it means.

02/01/2026

Big News! LymeAid 4 Kids National Program's Grant Applications are open on Jan. 31, 2026. If you are you 21 or under without medical insurance reimbursement for Lyme or Other Tick-Borne Disease you may qualify for a grant. For more information visit coloradoticks.org/about-lymeaid-4-kids-la4k

01/31/2026

🏃‍♀️ Natasha Tian is running the Great Scottish Run 2026 for Lyme Disease UK!

Diagnosed in July 2025 after a camping trip near Glasgow, Natasha missed last year’s race due to treatment and debilitating fatigue. Now, fully on the road to recovery, she’s training for the half-marathon - not just to rebuild her fitness, but to raise awareness of Lyme disease.

We’re so grateful to Natasha for taking on this challenge and shining a light on the challenges many face: delayed diagnosis, unreliable tests, and misdiagnosis - all of which can lead to years of debilitating symptoms. With Lyme risk expected to increase in the UK, her run is more important than ever.

Support her journey and help raise awareness: ajbellgreatscottishrun2026.enthuse.com/pf/natasha-tian-b54f6

01/31/2026

A Boise teacher is taking legal action after a mouse infestation in her classroom, which was ignored by her administration, led to her developing Lyme disease. Michelle Chung, who taught family and consumer science at West Junior High, says she repeatedly reported signs of mice in her kitchen classroom, only to be told everything was under control as the problem continued to spread. She believes ticks carried in by the mice bit her and infected her with Lyme disease.

Chung has had to pay more than $80,000 out of pocket for care that her insurance wouldn’t cover. Now, she’s suing the Boise School District for help covering her medical bills and calling for a full inspection of the school to protect other teachers and students from similar risks.

Read the story from CBS 2 Boise: https://idahonews.com/news/local/teacher-sues-boise-school-district-after-contracting-lyme-disease-from-infested-classroom-mice-ticks-idaho

01/31/2026

At just 9 years old, Julia Bruzzese was bitten by a tick and developed a classic bull’s-eye rash. She was told it would go away. It didn’t.

By 11, untreated Lyme disease left Julia paralyzed and wheelchair-bound.

We had the honor of meeting Julia and walking the runway with her during New York Fashion Week to raise awareness and funds for Lyme disease, and now we’re honored to share her full story on the Tick Boot Camp Podcast.

Julia is the powerful voice at the center of The Quiet Epidemic, exposing the real consequences of Lyme denial and medical gaslighting — especially in children.

Today, at 22, Julia has been accepted into medical school, determined to become the doctor she needed and help ensure no one else has to experience this.

🎧 Her full story is now live on the Tick Boot Camp Podcast - https://tickbootcamp.com/episode-552-childhood-lyme-disease-medical-gaslighting-the-quiet-epidemic-and-becoming-the-doctor-she-needed-julia-bruzzese/

01/30/2026

01/30/2026

MAL meet-ups occur a couple of times a month and are geared towards mothers raising children with Lyme, or mothers with Lyme themselves. It serves as a support group where you will discuss a common theme each meeting, share stories of your own struggle caused by Lyme, as well as hear advice from oth...