The newest social media cause is [#TakeABiteOutofLyme][1], hoping to raise awareness about Lyme disease. The movement was started by Real Housewife of Beverly Hills star Yolanda Foster, who was diagnosed with the disease three years ago. She urged her pseudo-celebrity friends to take on the lime challenge, and it has grown from there. On her social media pages, Foster described her motivations: > Most of you know I have been battling Lyme disease for the past three years. I wasted the first year trying to get diagnosed and spent the next two trying to find a cure. I have gone from the conventional long-term antibiotics to about every holistic protocol there is to offer. Unfortunately, I was only able to get to about a 60 percent recovery until I relapsed in early December and have not been able to find my way back. Foster’s overall intention with the campaign? To make the point that prevention is easier than finding a cure. Check out some of the Instagram photos from the campaign below. [1]: https://twitter.com/hashtag/takeabiteoutoflyme
#LYMEDISEASECHALLENGE for Lyme warriors like my mamma @yolandahfoster ? The best cure is prevention: be cautious in wooded areas and always check for ticks! Learn more about Lyme Disease, #takeabiteoutoflyme & share a fact!! I challenge all of you (use the hashtags and tag me in your post)! A photo posted by Gigi Hadid (@gigihadid) on Apr 21, 2015 at 3:20am PDT
Preview! Did you see it yet? What did you think? @dr_oz #lymediseasechallenge A photo posted by Lyme Disease Challenge (@lymediseasechallenge) on Apr 9, 2015 at 9:04am PDT
I’m accepting the #LymeDiseaseChallenge for @yolandahfoster! #TakeABiteOutOfLyme A photo posted by Lisa Rinna (@lisarinna) on Apr 20, 2015 at 2:01pm PDT
@idougahole and my sister doing the #lymechallenge ?? lyme disease desperately needs awareness. It has over 100 symptoms and when not caught early becomes very difficult to treat. Dougie said hed look out for it but my sis was too ill that day to post it wed appreciate an RT if you see my twitter @amberiszatt. Please do the lyme challenge. Nominate others and share this link to help my sister get an oxygen machine www.youcaring.com/medical-fundraiser/let-s-get-alice-a-portable-oxygen-machine-/339737 #takeabiteoutoflyme #lymediseasechallenge #lymedisease #dougie #dougiepoynter #dougiemcfly #mcfly #mcbusted #mcbustedmeat A photo posted by Amber Iszatt (@amberiszatt) on Apr 19, 2015 at 2:37am PDT
We are smiling big this morning just like this beauty by @taylornoellephoto and here’s why… “This celeb social media campaign is way tastier than dumping ice on your head – and for a just as important cause.” – @peoplemag Head to our Facebook page to see the rest of the write up by People! #lymediseasechallenge #takeabiteoutoflyme A photo posted by Lyme Disease Challenge (@lymediseasechallenge) on Apr 22, 2015 at 7:30am PDT
Dads #takeabiteoutoflyme too! Mine did! #lymediseasechallenge #gatherallyourfriends #andfamily A photo posted by Lyme Disease Challenge (@lymediseasechallenge) on Apr 10, 2015 at 8:05am PDT
#lymediseasechallenge Prevention is the best cure – thousands of people are affected by this disease which doctors know very little about. So to raise awareness go and #takeabiteoutoflyme it’s almost refreshing without tequila ? A photo posted by Jordan Harris ? (@rjordanharris) on Apr 22, 2015 at 6:25am PDT
I did the #LYMEDISEASECHALLENGE for @thnkpoz ???? fact: there are 34 cases of Lyme disease per hour. I challenge everyone to #takeabiteoutoflyme and post a fact about Lyme disease! Help spread awareness! A photo posted by Hailey Chaney (@iamhaileychaney) on Apr 21, 2015 at 5:58pm PDT
Our youngest warrior taking a bite out of Lyme Disease! As an organizer of the Lyme Disease Challenge team, I cannot thank you @gigihadid @yolandahfoster @officialdfoster enough for your support and advocacy. When public figures bravely share their story or support those afflicted with debilitating symptoms, it shows that someone cares, even when the medical system has failed them. It also empowers people to be part of a movement for positive change and renewed hope. Johns Hopkins studies show that 63% of those treated for Lyme continue to suffer symptoms. With 300,000 or more new cases per year in the US alone, millions are impacted globally. Children are at the highest risk of contracting Lyme Disease, and so many are losing their childhoods while suffering tremendously from the confines of their homes. As an advocate who primarily focuses on helping parents of children with Lyme, I see this scenario far too often. The funding for Lyme research is extremely low compared to other conditions, notwithstanding the vast number of cases. Lyme patients desperately need more effective treatment options and insurance coverage for treatment. Our family, and so many others just like ours, are on the front line of this worldwide epidemic. Thank you to everyone who is doing their part to be #changemakers and #hopespreaders. It truly means the world to us, To learn more about Lyme Disease, the Challenge or how to make a tax deductible donation, please visit www.lymediseasechallenge.org. #LymeDiseaseChallenge #takeabiteoutoflyme A photo posted by Melissa Bell (@melissabelljax) on Apr 21, 2015 at 5:58am PDT