Nancy Bourassa: New Hampshire Activist

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 Nancy Bourassa.

Nancy’s Websites and Groups

Our website is: www.LYME411.org

info@LYME411.org

FB page: LYME411 (non-profit)

Nancy runs Lyme411 with a group of volunteers. A non-profit organization dedicated to sharing information about Lyme and Other Tick-Borne Illnesses.

Let’s just say in this article, we will let pictures tell the story. Nancy has been involved in so many Lyme awareness activities in New Hampshire for several years it would be hard to list them all! Nancy herself has had Lyme for over sixty years, and was only diagnosed nearly 8 years ago, had treatment and is doing well now. She is one of the six member team who worked for two years to draft and get Lyme legislation passed in NH via NH-HB1326. In 2015 she also supported HB363 and attended the signing of NH-HB363. She encourages other Lymefolksto attend these events so THEY can also be a PART of the happenings. She runs Lyme411 as mentioned above, she organizes a volunteer Lyme crew & works with them at the annual Ironman Timberman Triathlon event every year, has done or attended Lyme awareness walk/runs, and annually updates the stats, arranges and attends the “May is Lyme awareness Month Proclamation” signings every year. She was a coordinator for the Worldwide Lyme awareness rallies in New Hampshire and … well look below, she has done a lot to help spread Lyme disease awareness!

2015

Governor Maggie Hassan signing the finalstroke making HB363 LAW in NH. — Governor Maggie Hassan signing the final stroke making HB363 LAW in NH.

2014

Getting the Lyme Awareness Month Proclamation in NEW HAMPSHIRE: Portsmouth & Manchester & Concord. (Nancy in the top middle row)

"Lyme Lites" Lyme 411 conference volunteers — at "Hopes for Tick Borne Illnesses" 4th Annual Lyme411 Conference. — Nancy thanking the voluntters at the “Lyme Lites” Lyme 411 conference volunteers — at “Hopes for Tick Borne Illnesses” 4th Annual Lyme411 Conference.

10371359_10152685691655465_128868077084656205_n — Nancy (left) at the Annual Lyme 411 Conference where Dr. Daniel Cameron MD PHD, Lynn Durand MD, Steve Clark ND, and Attorney Sheila Zakre spoke.

Group candid — at "Hopes for Tick Borne Illnesses" 4th Annual Lyme411 Conference. — Group candid — at “Hopes for Tick Borne Illnesses” 4th Annual Lyme411 Conference.

5K walk/run in Nashua." — 5K walk/run in Nashua.”

Nancy Symmes Bourassa With Dr Montero before our meeting with Gov Hassan. José Montero, MD, MHCDS, Director of the Division of Public Health Services, NH — at NEW HAMPSHIRE: Portsmouth & Manchester & Concord. — Nancy Symmes Bourassa
With Dr Montero before our meeting with Gov Hassan.
José Montero, MD, MHCDS, Director of the Division of Public Health Services, NH — at NEW HAMPSHIRE: Portsmouth & Manchester & Concord.

Nancy meeting Dr Jones, one of the few doctors that treats children with Lyme disease.

Nancy was the coordinator for the Worldwide Lyme Rally in New Hampshire 2014

See More Pictures from this Rally Here

2013

Mayday Protest 2013: 2013 IRONMAN Timberman Triathlon “Packet pick-up team’!!

nancdc — Nancy with Tiffany, Joni and Joe the Tick Slayer in 2013, in front of the Whitehouse in Washington DC.

Wearing a 'tick' on my leg in Washington DC." — Wearing a ‘tick’ on her leg in Washington DC.”

2013 Home Show: Lyme Awareness booth

Nancy was also the coordinator for the Worldwide Lyme Rally in New Hampshire in 2013

See More Pictures from this Rally Here

Photo Credit: Thaia Lukeandlexsmom Here we are, a crazy fun bunch! — with Elaina Powell, Pam Brown, Holly Young, Cyndi Peabody Paulin, Ed Darling, Hayley Ann Ervin, Angela LeBrun and Nancy Symmes Bourassa. — Photo Credit: Thaia Lukeandlexsmom
Elaina Powell, Pam Brown, Holly Young, Cyndi Peabody Paulin, Ed Darling, Hayley Ann Ervin, Angela LeBrun and Nancy Symmes Bourassa.

2012

Robert Giguere, Nancy Symmes Bourassa, Ellen Young, RN, Dr Geordie Thomson, Dr Jeff Greenfield and Ed Darling.

2011

Laconia, NH Lyme Walk

Lyme Awareness Walk May 7, 2011 “At the end of a 2 mile walk.”

Another version of Lyme411 ' s booth. — Another version of Lyme411 ‘ s booth.

After session Lyme Legislation gathering

Nancy at the Boston Protest

The first time I got to meet Nancy at the IDSA Guidelines Boston Protest in 2011. ~Lisa Hilton — The first time I got to meet Nancy at the **IDSA Guidelines Boston Protest in 2011.** ~Lisa Hilton

Nancy at the Boston Lyme IDSA Lyme Protest, she is second from the right.

583 — Nancy talking to an IDSA doctor from the conference who came over to learn about why we were protesting.

New Hampshire’s First “Wall of Hope.”

NH's first WALL of HOPE in front of State House during the lunch break of the legislators. May 11, 2011 — NH’s first WALL of HOPE in front of State House during the lunch break of the legislators. May 11, 2011

Nancy with her daughter Angela in 2011 at the Timberman Ironman. Her daughter is also a big Lyme disease activist.

These flags represent all the people with Lyme that could not be here today. The ones with black ribbons (on the table and the ends of the hanging display) commemorate people who have passed away from Lyme. 500 of the 1200 flags have these ribbons.

2010

Lyme Awareness at IRONMAN Timberman Triathlon Updated about 9 months ago · Taken at Ellacoya State Park AND at Gunstock Ski Area~ Gilford, NH — Lyme Awareness at IRONMAN Timberman Triathlon
Updated about 9 months ago · Taken at Ellacoya State Park AND at Gunstock Ski Area~ Gilford, NH

The pictures above are just a brief summary of all Nancy has done to bring about Lyme awareness in New Hampshire and globally. We would like to thank you Nancy for all you have achieved and will continue to do!