Whatislyme.com would like to recognize people in the Lyme community that have 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.
Introducing Vanessa Holden

If you have ever talked to Vanessa, she is a very shy, sweet soft spoken person. She is also suffering from Ross Fever, Lipoderma and Lyme Disease. Her days are hard, full of fatigue, pain, seizures and all the symptoms Lyme patients know so well.
A couple years ago, there was an event held called the “Worldwide Lyme Protest.” 30 countries joined forces to all hold protests and awareness events on the same day to let the world know that tick borne infections are a global problem. As sick as Vanessa was, she stepped up to the plate. And what she did was amazing.
With the help of her mother Rachelle and a couple other Lyme friends, she organized a huge event in Union Square, NYC on Fri, May 10, 2013. The line up of speakers at this event was amazing. Now Vanessa was working as part of the Worldwide Lyme Protest grassroots effort. We had no money to help organizers, no big teams helping us, just Lyme patients doing their best to gather speakers and crowds in public places to try to educate others on Lyme Disease. This was no easy task, especially for someone who was very sick.
Here was the line up of speakers that day.
Newspaper article stemming from the rally:
Poughkeepsie Journal: VIDEO: Rallies to raise awareness of Lyme disease, challenge CDC treatment guidelines
Vanessa getting flowers for her birthday as she speaks at the rally.
Pam Weintraub introducing Dr. Liegner and sharing some of her Lyme story
Photo: Katherine J. Kornblau-Susskind
Dr. Liegner delivering his speech – May 10, 2013
Photo Credit: Katherine J. Kornblau-Susskind
Eva Sapi, Lyme researcher with her little daughter, speaking to the New York crowd and Lyme patients
Photo by Chrysa http://mylyme.org/
Eva speaking as Dr Jones and Lyme patients look on
Dr Jones speaking at the NYC Worldwide Lyme Rally
Photo by Chrysa http://mylyme.org/
Jerry Simons fires up the crowd at the NYC rally – May 10, 2013
photo: Katherine J. Kornblau-Susskind
Dr. Cameron giving his speech at NYS Lyme Awareness Rally – May 10, 2013
Photo: Katherine J. Kornblau-Susskind
Vanessa with Dr Jones
Ariana shares her personal struggle with Lyme Disease at the NYC Lyme Awareness Rally in Union Square Friday 5/10/13.
Tracy Hans Speaking at the Podium
Photo by Chrysa http://mylyme.org/
Photo by Chrysa http://mylyme.org/
Photo by Chrysa http://mylyme.org/
Photo Credit: Donna Baez Brunner
Photo by Chrysa http://mylyme.org/
Photo by Chrysa http://mylyme.org/
Photo by Chrysa http://mylyme.org/
Photo by Chrysa http://mylyme.org/
Photo by Chrysa http://mylyme.org/
Photo by Chrysa http://mylyme.org/
Photo by Chrysa http://mylyme.org/
Photo by Chrysa http://mylyme.org/
There are so many touching pictures… please VISIT HERE for more pictures!
And a big THANK YOU to Vanessa Holden and her mom Rachelle for organizing one of the biggest events in Lyme activism history.
Vanessa Holden and mom Rachelle,
THANK YOU both so much for what you pulled last year in NYC and the great speakers, signs, PHOTOS GALORE so we could share the event from you where in USA/INTERNATIONALLY any of us are located!
congrats YOU deserve to be honored and then some. i listened afterwards to each presenter; very touching and a VIP lineup all the way.
better late than never, i didn’t know WHO to think, so give yourself an extra hug to yourself and each other will you?
keep doing what each of you have; i/others will join your efforts in the capacities each of us are capable of.
god bless you both; may you get quality of life back again in the NEAR future.
hugs/prayers always,
bettyg, iowa lyme activist
46.5 yrs. chronic lyme
35 yrs. MISDIAGNOSED by 40-50 drs; UNACCEPTABLE