You’re soon going to see lots of sourpuss faces on Facebook and Twitter. The “Take a Bite Out of Lyme Disease” campaign starts March 1. Grassroots activists have partnered with ILADS to raise Lyme awareness and research funds. The idea is to post a photo or video of yourself biting into a lime. And then challenge others to do the same. Read below for details.

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From the Lyme Challenge website:

The Challenge

The purpose of the Lyme Disease Challenge is to raise awareness and funding for improved Lyme Disease diagnosis and treatment.

Are you in? Great! Then follow the three easy steps below and donate $10 to ILADS. Prefer not to take the bite? That’s okay too! Donate $100 to ILADS instead.

1. TAKE A BITE: Bite a lime and TAKE A PHOTO OR A  SHORT VIDEO of the act – the more sourpuss your face, the better (and funnier!).

2. SHARE A FACT: State ONE BRIEF FACT ABOUT LYME DISEASE, such as the facts provided below. You can say them in your video, write them on your photo, or include them in your post. Help us spread the true facts about Lyme Disease!

3. PASS IT ON: Keep the campaign going — CHALLENGE THREE OTHER PEOPLE – your friends, family, whomever! – to take a bite! Mention them in your video or if you do a photo tag them in your post.

Then! Very Important!

Post it all to your favorite social media outlets. In your posts tag your video or photo with#LymeDiseaseChallenge so we can find you! You may even be featured here on our website!

Then check back to watch the challenge live! You may catch yourself in the live feed!

The Facts

–  Studies show that up to half of all patients with Lyme Disease received false negative results. This delayed diagnosis means they don’t receive needed treatment in a timely manner.

– Children are at the highest risk of contracting Lyme Disease and are more vulnerable to central nervous system infections.

– The CDC estimates that there are 300,000 new cases of Lyme Disease each year in the United States, 10 times more Americans than previously reported!  Some experts believe the actual number of new cases could be as high as 1-2 million new cases per year in the US alone.

– Lyme Disease has been called “the great imitator” and can be mistaken for numerous diseases such as ALS, MS, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, Fibromyalgia, Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s Disease, autism and other difficult-to-diagnose multi-system illnesses.

– Lyme Disease is prevalent across the United States and throughout the world.  Lyme disease has been found on every continent except Antarctica.