Lyme Disease

If you've been diagnosed with Lyme disease, your blood donation could help researchers develop better diagnostics and future treatments.

Eligible donors receive compensation for their time.

Why Donate?

Lyme disease is one of the most common tick-borne illnesses in the United States. Researchers rely on donated blood and plasma samples to study the disease, develop better diagnostic tools, and support the advancement of new therapies. Your participation could contribute to important medical breakthroughs that benefit future patients.

Donor requirements for participation:

You must be clinically diagnosed by a medical professional. Confirmation of the diagnosis and/or treatment must be verified with your physician.

Be pre-screened to determine eligibility.

You’re willing to donate blood, or plasma through the apheresis process.

You must have a photo ID and be able to provide your social security number or proof of citizenship.

You must be at least 18 years old.

You must weight at least 110 lbs.

You must disclose if you have ever been diagnosed with Hepatitis C and/or HIV.

For questions and concerns about requirements or participation, contact us at (833) GO-4-CURE.

Understanding Lyme Disease

Lyme disease is a bacterial infection caused primarily by Borrelia burgdorferi and is transmitted through the bite of infected blacklegged ticks. Early diagnosis and treatment are important for preventing more serious complications.

Common Symptoms of Lyme Disease

Symptoms can vary from person to person and may affect multiple body systems.

Early symptoms may include:

Bull's-eye rash (erythema migrans)
Fever and chills
Fatigue
Headache
Muscle aches
Joint pain
Swollen lymph nodes

Later-stage symptoms may include:

Severe joint pain and swelling
Facial palsy (loss of muscle tone on one or both sides of the face)
Numbness or tingling in the hands and feet
Heart rhythm irregularities
Cognitive difficulties and memory issues
Nerve pain

Lyme Disease Treatment

Lyme disease is typically treated with antibiotics. In many cases, individuals recover completely when treatment begins early. More advanced cases may require longer courses of treatment or intravenous antibiotics, particularly when the nervous system is affected.

Researchers continue to study Lyme disease to better understand long-term symptoms, improve diagnostic accuracy, and develop future treatment options.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why are Lyme disease donors needed?

Researchers use donated plasma samples to study immune system responses, improve diagnostic testing, and support the development of future treatments for Lyme disease and related conditions.

Can I donate if I have already been treated for Lyme disease?

Eligibility is determined during the screening process. Our donor recruitment team can discuss your medical history and help determine whether you qualify.

Will I be compensated?

Yes. Eligible participants receive compensation for their time and contribution to research.

Help Advance Lyme Disease Research

Your donation could play an important role in helping researchers develop better diagnostics and future therapies for Lyme disease.

Schedule your screening today by completing our form or calling (833) GO-4-CURE to speak with a donor recruitment coordinator.

Your Privacy Matters

We take your privacy seriously. Any information you provide—including health information—is securely stored and kept strictly confidential. Your information is used only to determine eligibility for research participation and will never be sold or shared without your consent.

For more information on how we protect your personal information, please review our Privacy Policy.

This information is not meant for clinical diagnosis, but as an educational resource derived from Mayo Clinic.

Discovering that you have been infected with a disease can be overwhelming with many unanswered questions and concerns. One that may come to mind is “how can I help someone else that may go the same process and struggles that I have experienced?” You can help by becoming a Specialty Antibody donor!

Participating in research allows scientists and clinicians find new treatments, tests and quicker diagnostic methods to improve patient outcomes and, hopefully, prevent the disease from spreading.