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Amanda and Jeff's Last Hope!

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One day, while golfing in Fort Erie or walking along the Niagara River, unfortunately we’ll never know for sure, Amanda Wilson was bitten by a tick carrying the bacteria called Borriella Burgdorferi (along with 3 other bacteria) which causes Lyme disease.  Initially, there wasn’t a clear answer as to why this normally energetic, vibrant, super human was suddenly feeling so awful.  Soon, Amanda was undergoing brain surgery to remove a tumour at the base of her skull.  At this point, it still wasn’t clear that this tumour was probably a symptom of her Lyme disease infection because Lyme disease has not been recognized as a medical condition in Canada yet, but just wait.  There are predictions that Lyme disease is responsible for innumerable diagnoses or misdiagnoses such as ALS, MS, Fibromyalgia, among others.    Think of an iceberg - the part lurking below the surface is the many undiagnosed and misdiagnosed cases of Lyme disease in Canada.

Meanwhile, as Amanda and her husband Jeff tried to get to the bottom of her ailment, Jeff too started to suffer from flu-like symptoms including fever, weakness, brain fogginess, muscle and joint pain, and chills.  By this time, Amanda and Jeff were seeing a doctor in Buffalo, NY having gotten nowhere with the medical community in Southern Ontario.  Amanda tested positive for Lyme disease in Buffalo ( they test for multiple strains and not just one as they do in Ontario) and 3 other co-infections;  she was finally receiving treatment - this was over a year after she initially fell ill.  Subsequently, Jeff too tested positive and they learned that, unbeknownst to them, Lyme disease can be sexually transmitted.  Now, they were both sick.

The number of surgeries and medical issues they both have had since they were infected has been unbelievable. 

The odds of this happening are so remote, but happen it did.  Our family have stood by and watched 2 of the most energetic, resilient, caring, strong individuals succumb to this horrible disease.  While Jeff’s was caught earlier and he received treatment earlier than Amanda, he still suffers almost daily with the symptoms of Lyme disease.  Since Amanda’s infection went so long before being properly diagnosed, hers has become chronic and without radical treatment soon, it could kill her.

We are reaching out to our community of friends, family, and acquaintances to extend a helping hand to Jeff and Amanda right now.  The financial cost of their attempted treatments thus far have made it impossible for them to fund their treatments in Germany.  I’ve created this page in an effort to help pay for a treatment for both of them in Germany which uses controlled hyperthermia to kill the bacteria.  The treatment is costly (25K each) and it is the only solid shot they have at possible recovery and living out the rest of their lives in relatively good health.  I am posting some links below to provide information on the therapy we are raising funds to send them to in Germany.  There is an opening for Amanda to go for therapy in August this year;  we are hoping to get her there!

German clinic info:

https://www.st-george-hospital.com/lyme-specialized-center/

Treatment info:

http://www.prohealth.com/library/showarticle.cfm?libid=29469

Testimonials of hyperthermic treatment:

http://lymeandcancerservices.com/testimonials/

Unfortunately, time is getting very short for Amanda’s health in particular.  We, as her family and friends, are desperate to help both Jeff and Amanda heal and return to the vibrant lives they once knew.  Despite their serious illnesses, they have both devoted themselves to serving others by raising awareness about Lyme disease whenever they have the opportunity.  Please donate whatever you can to help us help Jeff and Amanda.  They will repay it a thousandfold in service once they are well again!

Thank you for taking the time to read this and for making a contribution.
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Donations 

  • Nancy Kacur
    • $30 (Offline)
    • 6 yrs
  • Jim and Doreen Priebe
    • $150 (Offline)
    • 6 yrs
  • Barb Knapp
    • $50 (Offline)
    • 7 yrs
  • Fred and Sylvia Rich
    • $200 (Offline)
    • 7 yrs
  • Gary and Susan O'Brian
    • $50 (Offline)
    • 7 yrs
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Organizer and beneficiary

Marcia Elizabeth
Organizer
Fonthill, ON
Amanda Wilson
Beneficiary

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