About Us
Who We Are
Our Mission
It is our mission through the Ticked Off Lyme Foundation to bring AWARENESS to Lyme disease and to help aid with peer support through HOPE, HEALTH, and HEALING!
Who We Serve
Outreach Initiatives
Join us in our mission to combat Lyme disease and support those affected by it. Our active engagement in the community raises awareness, provides education, and fosters connections among those impacted by this disease. Your involvement can make a significant difference—whether through donations, participating in our events, or spreading the word about our initiatives. Together, we can empower individuals and break the silence surrounding Lyme disease.
Stewardship in Action
Progress with Purpose
Ticked Off Lyme Foundation has made a remarkable impact through its dedicated support groups, providing a safe haven for individuals to share their experiences and find comfort in knowing they are not alone in their struggles. These gatherings have fostered a strong sense of community, encouraging more people to come forward and share their stories, ultimately raising awareness about Lyme disease. Additionally, our fundraising events have successfully generated crucial resources that directly support those affected, empowering them with the tools and knowledge they need to navigate their journey with Lyme disease. Through these initiatives, we are not just raising funds; we are igniting hope and fostering resilience within our community.
Partnerships In Care
TrueNorth Companies LLC
TrueNorth is a nationally recognized insurance broker and risk management services provider, focused on creating value for our clients, colleagues and communities.
Ticked Off Lyme Foundation is proud to partner with TrueNorth Companies.
Guiding Change Together
Board of Directors
President
Tina Rosekrans
Tina Rosekrans grew up in Canada and moved to Iowa in 2000 after getting married. She enjoys being around others and helping everyone. You will hardly ever see her do things for herself.
Tina met a young lady in 2005 and they instantly became best friends. A few years later, this friend was diagnosed with Lyme Disease. Not knowing anything about the disease, Tina started to raise funds to help this friend pay some of her medical bills. This fight became a little more personal as Tina met more and more individuals with the disease.
In 2023, Tina hosted a 5K to bring awareness to Lyme Disease. During the next few months, she did more events to raise funds, but it was not enough. In October of 2023, Tina and her friend Pam started up a support group for anyone fighting Lyme. This group meets on the first Saturday of every month. Even though these groups turned out to be amazing and seemed to help people, Tina felt it was still not enough.
In January of 2024, she and Pam started Ticked Off Lyme Foundation Inc. With this foundation, Tina hopes to bring more awareness to this horrible disease by doing many fundraisers, spreading information, and holding different events – all to help those people fighting Lyme Disease to find HOPE, HEALTH, and HEALING!
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vice president
Kerrie Kolsto
Kerrie Kolsto grew up in Oxford, IA. She graduated from Clear Creek Amana and continued her education at Kirkwood Community College, graduating with an Associate Degree in Nursing. She has worked as an RN in several capacities and currently works at Urgent Care in Cedar Rapids.
She has lived in Amana for eight years. She is married and has three adult children and a daughter-in-law. All her children live in the surrounding communities. Kerrie is family-oriented and makes them her priority.
In November 2021 she opened Sunrise Nutrition in Fairfax and July 2024, New Day Nutrition in Cedar Rapids. She continues her nursing profession while owning these businesses.
In 2023 she participated as a vendor with the 5K for Lyme Disease in Fairfax and again in 2024. She joined the Ticked Off Lyme Foundation in September 2024 in hopes of assisting with bringing awareness and information to all who are fighting this disease.
Kerrie is very passionate about everything that she does and can’t wait to see all the ways she can help with this foundation.
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TREASURER/SECRETARY
CYNTHIA STIMSON
Cynthia grew up in Springville, Iowa. She has lived her entire life in eastern Iowa. She has three grown daughters and eight grandchildren and one grandchild in-law. They range from 27 years old to 12. Her oldest grand-daughter lives with her.
Cynthia first worked in the banking industry and then worked over 30 years as a city clerk. Although retired, she still mentors other city clerks. She went to UNI with a Business Education major, so instructing others is second nature. She also keeps busy with family and enjoys reading and doing puzzles.
Cynthia worked with Tina for several years. This is where she became aware of the Ticked Off Lyme Foundation. Upon retirement, she offered to be a member of the board.
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Board Member
Karen Vaske
Karen has lived in the Cedar Rapids metro area for the past 28 years and currently works for GreatAmerica Bank. Outside of work, she is a devoted mom to 3 adult children; Josh, Luke, and Sydne. She enjoys outdoor activities, baking and spending time with family and friends.
Her experience with Lyme disease and post-treatment symptom flares opened her eyes to just how widespread tick-borne illness truly is — far beyond the few cases she heard about growing up. As she navigated her own complex health journey, she discovered how many people go undiagnosed, how often symptoms are misunderstood, and how limited support can be within conventional medical pathways. With a deep love of learning and a drive to understand the “why” behind difficult problems, she immersed herself in researching Lyme disease, tick-borne infections, and the broader landscape of chronic illness.
Her passion for advocacy, education, and community support led her to the Ticked Off Lyme Foundation. She is honored to serve on the board, contribute her analytical strengths, continue expanding her knowledge, and help others facing the challenges of Lyme and tick-borne diseases. Her goal is to ensure that more people are seen, heard, and supported — and that awareness grows far beyond what it is today.
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Together for a Cause
Events
Join us in the fight against Lyme disease by becoming a passionate advocate for awareness and change. Together, we can amplify our voices, inspire action, and create a future where no one suffers in silence.
Championing Lyme Disease Awareness
Get Involved
Ticked Off Lyme Foundation strives to empower communities to recognize the signs and symptoms early. Our efforts aim to dispel misconceptions and foster a deeper understanding of this often-overlooked disease, ensuring that those affected receive the support and resources they need. Every contribution helps us provide vital resources and raise awareness within our communities.
