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Burl's medical care

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For those of you that have had the pleasure of knowing or interacting with the Derderian/Van Iderstine Family, you already know that this family is the most generous, hardworking, compassionate family.  The family has dedicated countless time and effort to helping others and their community. Now we get an opportunity to help them.

To introduce myself, I am a good friend of the family, a law school class mate of Jeans and the owner of Goodwin Law Firm.  

The Van Iderstine/Derderian Family's child, Burl, has Lyme disease as well as a very rarely diagnosed auto-immune illness called PANS (Pediatric Acute-Onset Neuropsychiatric Syndrome).

https://www.nimh.nih.gov/labs-at-nimh/research-areas/clinics-and-labs/pdnb/web.shtml
http://www.nepans.org/panspandas-info.html

Burl and his family are committed to raising awareness of PANS so that others might recognize early symptoms and seek appropriate treatment.  

The symptoms of PANS associated with Lyme Disease have prevented Burl from being able to live a normal life. His ability to attend to simple daily tasks and to communicate with others has been impacted. He has missed years of educational opportunities and social opportunities. His childhood has been filled with suffering and struggles.

For years, this illness has affected the entire family, not just Burl. Every member of the family has worked hard to help Burl. Family dinners, holidays, vacations, and everyday life has been fraught with tremendous trials and hardships that this illness has brought.

The Family has sought medical and therapeutic help locally, nationally, and internationally for more seven years. Because of the rarity of the illness, Burl has had to travel long distances for medical and therapeutic care. Finding appropriate doctors and resources has required his family to seek out-of-network providers which the family has had to pay for out-of-pocket. Emotionally and financially exhausting, PANS/Lyme has been a great challenge for all of them.

Fortunately, a promising new whole body hyperthermia therapy to treat and cure long term Lyme has been developed at Saint Georg Hospital in Bad Aibling, Germany.

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

Burl was suppose to attend a program in Florida.  However after arriving in Florida, a tropical storm decided it was coming too and Burls treatment facility was canceled.  Burl was in need of desperate treatment.  Jean had to leave Florida yesterday at the drop of a dime and dare to attempt to fly Burl to Germany.  I am glad to report they have landed in Germany and treatment is to begin. This unexpected change in iternery means that it is urgent we raise funds immediately.

 The out-of-pocket cost for his care over the next few months is about $60,000.  The family has already spent thousands of dollars on Burl's care and needs over the year.  They have sacrificed and incurred debt.  We are raising funds to help this family that we love so much and that needs community support.  All funds raised by this fundraiser will be given directly from myself to Jean and or David.   We are all passionte about awareness and education of PANS but most importantly we are all dedicated to getting Burl the necessary medical care.  


Despite his struggles, Burl is extremely compassionate, loving, fun, and bright. With our help, he will have a chance to live up to his potential, a life that will surely bring change and compassion to the world.

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Donations 

  • Lan Anderson
    • $25 
    • 6 yrs
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Organizer

Coreen Goodwin-Roberts
Organizer
Springfield, MA

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