International Red Shoe Day – July 25, 2026

Expected International Red Shoe Day Deals

International Red Shoe Day focuses on raising awareness and funds for Lyme disease research and patient support, rather than commercial deals. Organizations like the Lyme Disease Association, Inc. and the Global Lyme Alliance often run donation drives and awareness campaigns throughout July. Many individuals participate by creating personal fundraisers or sharing educational content on social media. Some shoe brands, such as Toms or Nike, might promote their own cause-related initiatives or encourage customers to support health charities. Look for local events like charity walks or virtual educational seminars. We will update this page with confirmed live events and fundraising opportunities as July 25 approaches.

History of International Red Shoe Day

Karen Smith and Lisa Hilton — both founders of the Global Lyme & Invisible Illness Organization — came up with the idea for International Red Shoe Day in 2014. It was made in honor of their friend Theda Myint, who died of Lyme disease on July 25, 2013, thus the date. Myint’s disease grew gradually after she was bitten by ticks in Australia, and was exacerbated by a bout of flu she caught while traveling in Europe in 2000.

Her symptoms were relatively unseen by others, but she complained of constant headaches for nine years and became more sensitive to light and certain sounds. She would later also suffer bouts of extreme exhaustion, cognitive dysfunction, and a general pain constantly radiating in her body. Despite this, she tried her best to live a normal life and actively spent time with her loved ones.

She was finally diagnosed with Lyme disease in 2011 and spent the remainder of her life advocating for the disease and researching treatment options until she died in 2013.

The day is observed with social gatherings and awareness programs in which people wear red shoes to mourn and celebrate the lives of their loved ones who have died. Myint was known for her love of red shoes, which is why the red shoe became the symbol of the day.

Lyme disease is one of several ‘invisible’ illnesses because individuals do not show clear indicators of illness even after being diagnosed. Because of the severity of their condition, they are likely to be confined to their beds and houses for lengthy periods, virtually rendering them ‘invisible’ to the rest of the world. As a result, determining the precise number of Lyme disease patients is challenging. As of 2019, the Lyme Conditions Association of Australia estimates approximately 2,000 Australians have the disease.

Thus, International Red Shoe Day is a day to not only commemorate Theda Myint’s brave journey but to also spread awareness and remember those who have lost their lives to Lyme or similarly invisible illnesses globally.