STAMFORD, Conn.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--There's a threat targeting America – one that's growing fast but is still hard to see: Lyme disease. In response, the Steven & Alexandra Cohen Foundation (the Foundation), a non-profit organization committed to inspiring philanthropy and community service by creating awareness, offering guidance, and leading by example, announced today the launch of #TargetLyme, a national public service awareness campaign aimed at raising the awareness and understanding of Lyme disease.
The #TargetLyme PSA campaign will run across broadcast, radio, digital and social media channels and is part of a broader initiative by the Foundation to educate communities about Lyme disease, its prevention, diagnosis, symptoms, long-term effects, and treatment.
“We are very excited to launch the Target Lyme PSA campaign,” said Alex Cohen, co-founder and president of the Steven & Alexandra Cohen Foundation. “Lyme disease is a debilitating disease that most people don’t understand. Our goal is to raise awareness of this debilitating disease and to help people understand the signs and symptoms of Lyme, as well as how to reduce their risk of infection.”
Inspired by Alex Cohen’s personal struggle with the disease, the Steven & Alexandra Cohen Foundation began focusing on Lyme disease in 2015 with a series of Lyme-focused grants that align with the Foundation’s commitment to combating Lyme disease. To date, the Foundation has committed over $50 million for more than 20 Lyme disease research projects and, over the next five years, will support and track the progress of these grants while selectively seeking out new investment opportunities to combat this complex illness.
With more than 300,000 projected cases each year, Lyme disease is one of the largest and fastest-growing diseases in the U.S. and is now more widespread than West Nile disease, tuberculosis and HIV/AIDS, combined. If left untreated, Lyme disease can lead to arthritis, facial paralysis, and memory and concentration problems, often called brain fog. Symptoms of Lyme disease include joint pain, flu-like symptoms, fever, fatigue and sometimes a bulls-eye shaped rash.
To learn more about the #TargetLyme Campaign and Lyme disease, visit TargetLyme.org or the Steven & Alexandra Cohen Foundation on Facebook and Twitter.
About the Steven & Alexandra Cohen Foundation
The Steven & Alexandra Cohen Foundation is committed to inspiring philanthropy and community service - with special interest in children's health, education, veterans, and the arts - by creating awareness, offering guidance, and leading by example to show the world what giving can do. The Foundation's Lyme Initiative is investing to cure Lyme, which infects over 300,000 Americans each year and leaves 10-20% with persistent, life-altering symptoms. Through funding leading researchers and innovators, the Foundation will improve our ability to prevent, diagnose, and treat all stages of Lyme disease. For more information on the Steven & Alexandra Cohen Foundation, visit http://www.steveandalex.org or follow on Facebook and Twitter.
