Run and Ride for Lyme Disease Awareness

Who I am:

My name is Étienne, and I have been living with Lyme disease since 2019. When I first got sick, I went from being an amateur athlete, passionate about the outdoors, hiking, cycling, and running, to someone for whom even going grocery shopping or taking out the trash became a real struggle. My body was unraveling before my very eyes.

Faced with overwhelming fatigue and a wide range of symptoms (neurological, physical, cognitive…), I first experienced a long period of medical uncertainty before finally being diagnosed with Lyme disease and several co-infections.

For a long time, I thought I might never run again. After several years of treatment, and with the support of my loved ones, I found my way back to health and now consider myself in remission. I want to use my (partially!) regained energy and my determination, stronger than ever, to raise awareness about Lyme disease. My goal is twofold: to prevent new cases and to support those whose lives have been deeply impacted by this disease. Although more and more people are talking about Lyme disease, it remains poorly understood and surrounded by controversy.

Why I am fundraising:

That’s why I’ve decided to take on new athletic challenges in running and cycling, and to use these challenges to raise funds for organizations supporting Lyme patients. I may be a Frenchman currently living in France, but I am fundraising for the Bay Area Lyme Foundation, as I contracted the disease while living in California, in the San Francisco Bay Area. Having lived there for 6 years, this is a place that is near and dear to my heart, and it's where I have had my most joyful outdoor memories.

What your money will contribute to:

The Bay Area Lyme Foundation does a tremendous job to raise awareness about Lyme in general, and especially around the Bay Area and California.

Through these efforts, I hope to raise awareness and, above all, to show that it is possible to regain a normal life, even while having Lyme disease.

My next adventures are:

Thank you for your time and support - follow my training and challenges on my instagram @cantspelletienne!

Étienne