Hey! My name is Sarah Kaufman, and I am fundraising for my 18-year-old sister who's been battling a mysterious chronic illness.

For the past 8 years, she has been in and out of hospitals, placed on numerous medications, tried numerous treatments, and even travelled across the country searching for answers.

After being continuously misdiagnosed or given up on by our medical system...including her pediatrician who ignored our mother's constant questioning of the possibility of this mystery illness being Lyme......my sister tested positive! The test cost over a thousand dollars, and was sent to a separate lab, in which she tested positive for Babesia. Our medical system only checks for bartonella. So, imagine all the lost years of not knowing and having all of the damage done to her body. My sister has begun treatment for Lyme Disease with OZONE IV THERAPY 10 Passes once a week which costs about $5000 a month. The Lyme specialists estimate a minimum of 100 more hours will be needed to start seeing results.

Both our parents work, and they work extra jobs to make our lives continue with medical expenses, tuition, life, mortgages, car payments, activities, as they do not want their children to feel left out due to our sisters' medical expenses.

Did you know? 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 patient’s symptoms to determine if they may have Lyme disease.

Our doctors failed at this. The only test they did was a PCR test for Lyme which was negative.

This is why we are asking for help from you. Please help our sister continue her battle. Even hooked up to NG tubes and Iv's in hospitals, being physically ill, mentally ready to give up....she didn't. She kept on trying to help herself....so much so she ended up on the honor roll all four years of high school. Now she is a freshman in a nearby college with a medical track and wants to find a cure for Lyme disease. She wants to advocate for those who are being misdiagnosed like she was. Our sister is also a runner and committed to athletics, and this year she cannot compete due to treatment.

Lyme disease treatment is not covered by insurance companies and is all out of pocket. This is why we (her sisters and I) are asking for your support. Every dollar spent, is closer to her treatment......and will hopefully lessen the stress our parents feel.