Growing Deeper Roots: My Story of Invisible Illness

As I mentioned a few times now, I participated with in the 6th Annual Loudon Lyme Disease Races! The event, including a 1K, 5K, 10K and virtual race, was this Sunday and it was packed! I had a small team, just my best friend Kate and my mom. I thought it was fitting that these two women were the ones that walked the 5K with me as they've been the ones walking through this whole journey with me. (Corny, I know.) In addition to offering the races and awards, the event had a raffle, a silent auction, and several booths for bug-preventing products, advocacy groups, and other companies and organizations relevant to Lyme disease.  Big thank you to all who contributed to my fundraising efforts including Emily Levy, Anna Zastrow, Ally Venable, Kate Vannoy, Michelle Venable, and Molly Igoe! You all continue to be a great source of support for me and all of us fighting this terrible illness.  I hope to get a bigger group next year with better planning and more time to prepare....

People throughout Virginia and parts of Maryland are gearing up for one of the biggest Lyme fundraising and morale building events of the year. The Loudon County Lyme Race is expected to draw a crowd of nearly 2,000 activists, patients, caretakers, and runners.  Last year, the race raised a net of $50,000. This year, Gotschi, event founder and  owner of Sterling-based DryHome Roofing and Siding has a  goal to write the National Capital Lyme Disease Association a $75,000 check. The event includes a 10K, 5K and 1K family walk/fun run, and new this year—a virtual race, in which participants who cannot make it on race day can log their scores and still make donations. Gotschi started the Lyme run in 2010 after watching his wife battle the illness for years before she was properly diagnosed.  Like Botschi, 70% of the participants have been directly affected by Lyme disease. The Loudoun Lyme Run will take place at the Brambleton Town Center, at 22855 Bram...