Teen Raises Awareness for Lyme Disease

Each year, the Barron Prize celebrates 25 inspiring, publicspirited young people from across North America who have made a significant positive difference to people and the environment. Up to 20 top winners each receive a $5,000 cash award.

Olivia’s foundation also promotes the Lyme Challenge, asking people to “take a bite out of Lyme” (a lime) and to raise awareness and money to fight the disease.

Olivia recently founded the LivLyme Foundation to help children with Lyme disease and to help Lyme researchers find a cure. At her first annual gala event, she raised over $224,000 in one evening, with $267,000 raised to date. Olivia’s foundation also promotes the Lyme Challenge, asking people to “take a bite out of Lyme” (a lime) and to raise awareness and money to fight the disease.

Olivia became sick with puzzling symptoms in second grade and after seeing 50 doctors in 18 months, was finally diagnosed with Lyme disease. Today, she manages pain and fatigue by taking 86 pills daily and wants to help other families afford effective treatments. Through LivLyme, she invites families to apply for funding to help cover the cost of their children’s Lyme medication or treatment. She has received 58 requests so far. Colorado Governor Hickenlooper has named April 8 of each year “Olivia Goodreau Lyme Day” in honor of her courage and giving spirit. “I have decided to take a really horrible thing that happened to me and help other children and hopefully find a cure,” says Olivia.

The Barron Prize was founded in 2001 by author T.A. Barron and was named for his mother, Gloria Barron. Each year’s 25 Barron Prize young heroes reflect the great diversity of America. They are female and male, urban and rural, and from various backgrounds. Many of them have focused on helping their communities and fellow beings; many others have focused on protecting the environment.

“Nothing is more inspiring than stories about heroic people who have truly made a difference to the world”, says Barron. “And we need our heroes today more than ever. Not celebrities, but heroes – people whose character can inspire us all. That is the purpose of the Gloria Barron Prize: to shine the spotlight on these amazing young people so that their stories will inspire others.”

For more information, please visit www.barronprize.org.