Lyme Disease Grants For Adults

Lyme Disease Financial Assistance

Because the CDC states that Lyme disease can be treated with 30 days of antibiotics, the majority of insurance companies do not recognize chronic Lyme disease as a legitimate illness and will not pay for long-term treatment.

The cost of Lyme disease treatments can run into the thousands for patients each yearand sometimes each month. This puts people suffering from chronic Lyme disease in a very tough financial position and makes it difficult to pay medical bills. It might even lead to medical bankruptcy. Thankfully, there are still a few ways to pay for Lyme disease treatments without insurance.

Get Financial Help For Lyme Disease Today

There may not be a definitive end to chronic Lyme disease, but a healthier future is definitely possible with the right care and treatment. If the thought of seeing a Lyme-literate doctor without insurance is daunting, or if youre wondering how to get help with bills, GoFundMe can help. to create a Lyme disease fundraiser and begin healing today.

How Is Lyme Disease Diagnosed

Lyme disease has been nicknamed the great imitator because its symptoms mimic those of so many other illnesses. Doctors often analyze blood tests as well as a patients symptoms to determine if they may have Lyme disease.

The two common tests used to diagnose Lyme disease measure someones antibody response to the bacterial infection: the Western blot test and the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay test, according to LymeDisease.org.

Lyme disease test costs can run hundreds of dollars since they arent typically covered by insurance companies. Before getting any testing done, its a good idea to check with your insurance company and find out what costs to expect.

How to treat Lyme disease

While there is no cure for Lyme disease, catching and treating it as early as possible with a round of antibiotics offers the best chance of recovery. If someone suspects they have been bitten by a black-legged tick, their doctor will usually prescribe an oral dose of antibiotics.

For chronic Lyme disease treatment, doctors usually prescribe several courses of intravenous antibiotics. Specialized Lyme disease doctors focus on individualized treatment, though, as the disease can manifest itself differently from individual to individual.

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Donald May Vocational Scholarship

Eligibility:

This scholarship is intended to assist those looking to obtain a career in a vocational field. Eligible students will be enrolled in a program leading to a certificate or degree in a vocational field.

Selection Criteria:

• Awarded to a high school seniors from EFA or Southside High School that will enroll in a vocational program in the fall of their graduating year OR

• Students currently enrolled in an accredited vocational program, and continuing in that program in the fall OR

• Returning students with a high school degree or GED who have been out of school and are returning to pursue a vocational education.

Application Deadline: 2/12/2021

Touched By Lyme: New Source Of Financial Aid For Lyme Patients

Back in 2011, a young Florida woman named Wendy Phillips traveled to Vermont with her now-husband to attend a wedding. At one point, they walked through fields and woods with the family dog. Afterwards, they were both covered with what looked like flecks of dirt.

Alas, it wasnt dirt. The tiny specks were tickslots of them.

For Wendy, that unfortunate incident set in motion a cascade of weird physical symptoms that ebbed and flowed over the years. At various times, she experienced memory problems, stomach aches, headaches, heart palpitations, neuropathy and seizures, to name a few.

She saw many doctors, who assured her it couldnt possibly be Lyme disease. Eventually, an ILADS-trained doctor diagnosed her with Lyme and Bartonella, and started treatment.

As her health improved with treatment, she reports, life threw another curve ball. Up until that point, her husband had seemed perfectly fine. Then, one day, he woke up in the morning and could not walk. He was subsequently diagnosed with three tick-borne infections: Lyme disease, Bartonella and Ehrlichia.

Throughout this process, Wendy says, they were shocked to discover how much Lyme patients had to pay out of pocket for appropriate treatment. And how so many people had no way to pay for the medical care they needed. She vowed to do something about it.

The deadline for the first round of grants is September 6.

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Schumer Gillibrand Announce $16 Million Increase In Cdc Lyme Disease And Tick

Continued Robust Funding is Essential To Combat Tick-Borne Diseases Across Upstate NY, Which has Become the Epicenter For Tick-Borne Disease In Recent Years

Following Fierce Advocacy, Senators Deliver $2 Million Funding Increase, Their Third Consecutive Increase, For Lyme Disease Research and Prevention

WASHINGTON, D.C. U.S. Senators Charles E. Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand announced that following their fierce advocacy, $16 million in federal funding for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to combat Lyme disease and other tick-borne diseases is included in the recently passed bipartisan government funding package. The $16 million in funding amounts to a $2 million increase over last years level. Through their advocacy, Schumer and Gillibrand also delivered $5 million in new funding for the Kay Hagan Tick Act co-sponsored by the senators to require the CDC to enhance surveillance of Lyme and tick-borne diseases and fund the Centers of Excellence for Lyme and tickborne disease. The senators additionally announced that the Department of Defenses Tick Borne Disease Research Program will remain funded at $7 million. New York State remains the #1 target for tick-related disease in the United States and the FY21 funding will be vital to the continued research, identification and exposure prevention to vector-borne pathogens that cause Lyme disease and other tick-borne illnesses.

Firefighter Gary Kuhl Relief Fund

Craig turned to crowdfunding when his good friend and fellow firefighter Gary contracted Lyme disease after being bitten by a tick in a brush fire. After eight years of battling the disease, Gary is now wheelchair-bound and in need of a wheelchair-accessible home. Friends and community members rallied around Gary and raised over $40,000 to help him and his family.

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Crowdfunding For Lyme Disease

Without the help of insurance to pay for expensive treatments, thousands have turned to crowdfunding to offset Lyme disease costs and pay for out of pocket medical expenses. Crowdfunding allows people to tap into their network for support during difficult times. By launching an online fundraiser, you begin finding financial relief right away.

GoFundMes fundraising platform means you can keep more of the donations you receive, and its simple to withdraw your funds right when you need them. And if you need help getting started, our blog offers fundraising tips and a medical crowdfunding guide that offers advice specific to medical fundraising.

Noras Lyme Disease Treatment

When Noras health began to rapidly decline more than a decade after she was bitten by a tick, she suspected she might have Lyme disease. With a sense of humor and plenty of determination, Nora started an online fundraiser to pay for treatments at a reputable Lyme disease center in Idaho. She raised over $22,000 that put her on the path to recovery.

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Disclaimer: The above material is provided for information purposes only. The material is not nor should be considered, or used as a substitute for, medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment, nor does it necessarily represent endorsement by or an official position of Global Lyme Alliance, Inc. or any of its directors, officers, advisors or volunteers. Advice on the testing, treatment or care of an individual patient should be obtained through consultation with a physician who has examined that patient or is familiar with that patients medical history. Global Lyme Alliance, Inc. makes no warranties of any kind regarding this Website, including as to the accuracy, completeness, currency or reliability of any information contained herein, and all such warranties are expressly disclaimed.

What Is Chronic Lyme Disease

Every year, black-legged ticks transmit Lyme disease to over 300,000 people across the US, making it the most common vector-borne illness in the States, according to the CDC. These ticks are about the size of poppy seeds, and mainly inhabit the Northeastern and Northwestern US.

Chronic Lyme disease, also known as post-treatment Lyme disease, is the term used when people infected with the disease continue to experience symptoms even after theyve received treatment.

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Tom Johannes Lyme Disease Fund

Another victim of a tick bite, Tom suffered from Lyme disease unknowingly for many years before he was finally diagnosed with late stage neurological Lyme Disease. Once an outdoor enthusiast, the disease left Tom unable to perform basic tasks or care for his family. Toms brother stepped up and created an online fundraiser that has brought in $26,000 to help Tom and his family find hope and financial peace.

Shop Mighty Well Support Lyme Treatment Foundation

Shop Mighty Well and use code: LYMETREATMENTFOUNDATION10 at checkout to support LTF!

Mighty Well is a wellness wear company that makes face masks and products for those battling tick-borne diseases, like picc line covers. Use code: LYMETREATMENTFOUNDATION10 at checkout to support our treatment grant program! 10% of proceeds when using the above code will be donated to LTF!

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Prevention Of Lyme Disease

Reducing the risk of tick bites is one obvious strategy to prevent Lyme disease . In endemic areas, clearing brush and trees, removing leaf litter and woodpiles, and keeping grass mowed may reduce exposure to ticks. Recent data demonstrates the application of acaricide to white tailed deer prevent feeding by ticks, reducing the risk for tick-borne disease . Application of pesticides to residential properties is effective in suppressing populations of ticks, but may be harmful both to other wildlife and to people.

Tick and insect repellents that contain n,n-diethylmetatoluamide applied to the skin provide additional protection, but require reapplication every 1 to 2 hours for maximum effectiveness. Serious neurologic complications in children from either frequent or excessive application of DEET-containing repellents have been reported, but they are rare and the risk is low when these products are used according to instructions on their labels. Use of products with concentrations of DEET greater than 30% is not necessary and increases the risk of adverse effects. DEET should be applied sparingly only to exposed skin, but not to the face, hands, or skin that is either irritated or abraded. After one returns indoors, skin that was treated should be washed with soap and water. Permethrin is available in a spray for application to clothing only and is particularly effective because it kills ticks on contact.

Lymelight Foundation Funds Lyme Treatment For Young People

Phyllis and Scott Bedfords daughter was diagnosed with Lyme disease in 2008. At that time, they had no idea of the exhausting and expensive medical journey on which they were about to embark.

Their daughter, like so many other Lyme patients, had been sick and undiagnosed for many years. To their surprise, they learned that most insurance companies do not cover treatment for Lyme. This leaves families on their own to battle the disease.

During their daughters recovery, the Bedfords met many parents who were forced to decide between food and housing, or treating their sick children.

Along with another family whose daughter also had Lyme disease, they started the LymeLight Foundation. This non-profit organization provides treatment grants to children suffering with Lyme without the resources to receive proper care or medication.

Grateful for the financial means to provide their daughters with lifesaving medical treatment, the Bedfords believed these were choices no parent should have to make.

The CDC estimates there are nearly 350,000 new cases of Lyme disease in the United States annually. Of these, more than 25% are childrenmore than 85,000 every year. Thats four school buses of children newly diagnosed EVERY DAY. Across the country, the number of new Lyme cases has tripled over the last 10 years.

The LymeLight Foundations core mission is funding significant medical treatment grants to children and young adults suffering from Lyme.

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Other Sources Of Financial Assistance For Lyme Patients

After a short hiatus, the LymeTAPprogram is once again accepting applications. This program helps pay for Lyme diagnostic testing. No age restrictions.

The LymeLight Foundation provides treatment grants for young people, through age 25. Applications for the next round of grants are due .

LivLyme Foundationprovides treatment grants for those under age 21.

LymeAid 4 Kids provides up to $1000 for treatment of those under age 21.

Ticked Off Foundation provides grants and counseling to Lyme patients in crisis. Age 26 and above.

Filling An Unmet Need

With most insurance companies not covering treatment for Lyme, LymeLight Foundation bridges this gap of enormous unmet need. Since 2011, we have awarded over $4.7 million to 725 children across 49 states.

Wonderfully, 75% of recipients report substantial health improvements after receiving their grants.

Currently, 60% of applicants are awarded medical grants of up to $10,000 to pay for necessary medications and therapies for Lyme disease.

We distribute grants three times each year. Initial grants of $3,000-4,000 are typically followed by two incremental grants of similar amounts. Before additional funds are issued, recipients must submit the necessary feedback and receipts verifying allowable use of funds.

LymeLight believes a significant piece of solving the Lyme epidemic is getting those sick well so they are able to become part of the solution and become the educators of tomorrow.

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What We Aim To Solve

The Centers for Disease Control & Prevention indicates 10x more Lyme cases occur than are reported. In 2018, 336,660 new US Lyme cases occurred. CDC says increases are due to expanding vector ranges and proliferation of emerging pathogens. Effective programs for tick surveillance and to prevent/ detect tick-borne diseases are necessary.There is currently no gold standard Lyme test, thus accurate diagnosis is a problem. Proper treatment is still lacking, since there are two standards of care for Lyme disease, and one is not always recognized, depriving patients who have long-term symptoms from getting treatment. Lyme can disseminate, affecting every system in the body. It can cross the placenta and cause death of the fetus. Patients can also die due to cardiac/other manifestations. Providers who diagnose and treat Lyme and other tick-borne diseases are receiving little education, sometimes only a few hours. Information on avoiding tick exposure and proper tick removal is difficult to find. Funding for treatment protocols are limited or non-existent. Lyme is a growing public health threat that needs to be addressed by non-profits as well as government.

Peter Gwynne Receives Tufts Launchpad Accelerator Award

Dr. Peter Gwynne of the Tufts Lyme Initiative as been awarded a $75,000 Tufts Launchpad Accelerator Award. The Tufts Launchpad | Accelerator is a grant program funded by the University to address the greatest challenge in academic technology transfer, which is the funding gap often referred to as the valley of death between where federal funding of basic research ends and commercial interest begins.

Dr. Gwynne was awarded the grant to develop a diagnostic test for Lyme disease that can track the success of antibiotic therapy. We hope that this test will fill one of the large gaps in the management of Lyme disease how to tell when it has been successfully treated and when more treatment is needed

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Alumna Overcomes Lyme Disease Launches Foundation To Help Others

In 2016, Wendy Phillips was getting married. She also thought she was dying.

I was sleeping 16, 17 hours a day, she says. I started developing heart palpitations, seizure-like activity, neuropathy. I went to the ER nine times for these different symptoms. I was just searching, trying to figure out what was wrong with me.

Phillips first noticed a strange set of persistent symptoms three years previously when she was a seemingly healthy FGCU student studying biology. It began with memory loss and fatigue.

She graduated with her bachelors in biology in 2014 and moved on to graduate school at California State University-Long Beach to study biochemistry. When she moved across the country, the strange symptoms moved with her. During the next two years, Phillips dealt with rage, back pain and obsessive-compulsive thoughts.

It was becoming really debilitating and I ended up leaving my graduate program after two years, Phillips says. She moved home to Florida.

Finally, in 2017, a nurse told Phillips about a patient shed seen the year before with similar symptoms. That patient had been diagnosed with Lyme disease, a tick-borne illness. The nurse referred Phillips to Boynton Beach physician Jody Greenfield, who started Phillips on antibiotics before her blood test came back because of the severity of her symptoms. When the results did return, Phillips was diagnosed with Lyme disease.

Weve had more than 600 applications, Phillips says.

Kurt And Ellen Wohl Scholarship

Eligibility:Kurt and Ellen Wohl established this scholarhip for “non-traditional” students. This is often a student returning to school after an extended period of time.

Selection Criteria:

• 25 years or older

• Recently accepted at a technical school, college, university, or nursing school for a minimum of 6 credit hours per semester

• Will attend an educational institution within 55 miles of Elmira. These include but are not limited to: Elmira College, Keuka College, Binghamton University, Corning Community College, Arnot Ogden Medical Center, and Elmira Business Institute

• Current resident of Chemung, Steuben, or Schuyler County, 2+ years

• Meets income requirements

• Preference given to a student pursuing Early Childhood Education and/or certification

Application Deadline: 2/12/2021

Award Amount: $4000 – can be divided among more than one applicantApplication Deadline: 2/12/2021

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Help Lyme Treatment Foundation Today

Your generous donation will help those in need of Lyme disease and tick-borne illness treatment. Together, we can make a difference! Thank you for your donation.

The Lyme Treatment Foundation is a 501 non-profit organization and donations are fully tax-deductible. Tax ID: #83-1423577. Thank you for your support!