Mary Ann Mazzarella: Be Kind for Lyme Founder

Each day of May for Lyme Awareness Month in 2015, whatislyme.com would like to recognize someone in the Lyme community that has done something to try to help the Lyme community. There are several “unsung heroes” in our community and we would  like to just offer them a little recognition and make sure that their achievements and efforts don’t go  unnoticed.

Today we would like to honor Mary Ann Mazzarella.

“Mary Ann Mazzarella is a very kind soul. Her and I met after she watched my story on the news 3 years ago. She moved from New Jersey and lives in a neighboring town near me. She is a huge animal rights activist and donates her time to a local shelter when she feels well. She has helped me with some of our local Lyme awareness events. Mary Ann had the vision for the Be Kind For Lyme page. Over the last few years Mary Ann saw over and over people in the Lyme community being misunderstood and not receiving family/friends support. This disease is already very hard to deal with but almost impossible without help, love and empathy. Be Kind for Lyme was born out of the idea; Share our stories while inspiring kindness towards people dealing with all chronic illness. With more understanding, naturally more awareness will come out of it. She started the #SupershareSunday on the page and simultaneously runs the Be Kind For Lyme Twitter and Instagram pages. “

Mary Ann started the “Be Kind for Lyme” campaign.

Be Kind for Lyme Campaign

1. Perform a random act of kindness or tap into a story you may already have.
2. Go to the Be Kind for Lyme FB, Twitter or Instagram page and post your short story – with a video or photo or just the story of your act
3. Tag 3 friends to join the movement asking them to follow these steps. If they don’t complete the challenge within 3 days, they must donate to one of the Lyme non-profit organizations listed on the BKFL FB page.
4. Donations can be $10 and up.
5. Be sure to use type #bekindforlyme & @bekindforlyme

***This is supposed to be a fun way to create a kind community while promoting an understanding of Lyme Disease awareness and research!

Check out and Follow:
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCaS-…
Twitter: https://twitter.com/bekindforlyme
Instagram: http://instagram.com/bekindforlyme
Facebook: Be Kind for Lyme Facebook Group
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/BeKindForLyme/

Mary Ann works with Holly Roesing on the “Be Kind for Lyme” campaign and this is what Holly had to say about Mary Ann:

Check out their Youtube Channel Here

Mary Ann’s Lyme Story:

Mary Ann contracted Lyme disease 9 years ago. She is currently fighting third stage Lyme Disease, along with a host of other maladies.

This terrible, misunderstood illness has taken Mary Ann from being a vibrant, outgoing and active spirit to being practically bedridden for the past 4 years.

The complications of her sickness are almost too many to mention. They include: Babesia, Bartonella, RMSF, Fibromyalgia, Arthritis, Severe Endometriosis, MTHFR Gene issues, Hashimoto’s thyroiditis, Inflamed organs from mold poison – Lung problems w/nodule. She has food, sound, smell and chemical sensitivities (MCS).http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Multiple_chemical_sensitivity

She suffers from chronic migraines and OCD/anxiety. Mary Ann’s immune system is shot. Right now, she’s waiting on test results for POTS but Dr is pretty sure she got this also from Lyme Disease. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Postural_orthostatic_tachycardia_syndrome

All of these diseases and disorders cause between 30 and 40 symptoms. They are chronic, no cure and she has them EVERY day.

Of course, this ordeal is causing severe depression.

Mary Ann does have a running fundraiser for anyone who would like to help her.

Poster made by Mary Ann…

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