The virtual event was hosted by Wilmer Valderrama and featured special performances by Avril Lavigne, Alessia Cara, OneRepublic, & Rob Thomas

Pop rock icon and global recording superstar Avril Lavigne, together with Global Lyme Alliance, have raised much needed funds for The Avril Lavigne Foundation and Global Lyme Alliance to support their ongoing efforts to help #FightLyme. #FightLyme with Avril + Friends, hosted by Wilmer Valderrama, brought together celebrities, musical artists, and philanthropists for a one-of-a-kind streaming benefit concert to raise awareness and fund treatment for individuals affected by Lyme disease. Having personally been affected by Lyme disease, Lavigne is dedicated to making an impact in conquering this often debilitating illness that impacts millions worldwide.

Highlights from the virtual event include performances by Avril Lavigne, Alessia Cara, OneRepublic, and Rob Thomas as well as special appearances from Bebe Rexha, Chad Kroeger, Elena Delle Donne, Marisol Thomas, and Shania Twain, who joined forces with Valderrama and all performers for The Avril Lavigne Foundation’s star-studded #FightLyme PSA, which debuted during the stream.

“Thanks so much to all the fans for donating in support of the Lyme community. We’re so grateful for your generosity and continued support,” Lavigne shares. “Special thanks to all the dope artists OneRepublic, Alessia Cara, and Rob Thomas for performing tonight and lending your voice to support, Wilmer Valderrama for hosting, to my friends Bebe Rexha, Shania Twain, Chad Kroeger Elena Delle Donne, and Marisol Thomas for supporting the #Lyme community and all involved in making the production happen.”

All were on hand to help unify and inspire people around the globe, focusing on the Lyme community which has been deeply impacted by COVID-19. While everyone in the world has been affected by the current pandemic in some way, Lyme patients are at an especially high-risk during this extraordinarily difficult time.

The Avril Lavigne Foundation provides prevention resources and treatment grants to people affected by Lyme, as well as accelerates scientific research. Fans can get the #FightLyme shirt Avril and friends were wearing in the PSA via Charity Stars. Limited edition show merchandise is available at TheAvrilLavigneFoundation.org/merch. Joining the #FightLyme movement by purchasing a shirt and sharing the #FightLyme PSA makes a huge impact on individuals and families affected by Lyme.

Sponsors of #FightLyme with Avril + Friends include: BMG, Bogavia, CAA, Fender, Race to Erase MS, The Feldman Agency, The Del Genio Family, Ackerley Family Foundation and Blackstone, Cahill Gordon & Reindel LLP, Cravath, Swaine & Moore LLP, Credit Suisse, Davis Polk, GMI (H.K) LTD, Fried Frank, Latham & Watkins LLP, Milbank, Onex, Quidel, Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP, and Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP.

Global Lyme Alliance is dedicated to conquering Lyme and other tick-borne diseases through funding innovative research, offering effective education and awareness programs, supporting the needs of patients and caregivers, and advancing, through science and data, reliable diagnosis, treatment, prevention, and an eventual cure. Their vision is to improve the quality of life for individuals who suffer from Lyme and tick-borne diseases.

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