Help Ella Get Her Life Back from Chronic Lyme Disease

Meet Ella, a bright, determined young girl from Western New York who should be spending her days laughing with friends, going to school, and playing softball — the sport she fell in love with last summer. Instead, Ella now spends most of her days in bed, exhausted and in pain, fighting to get her health — and her life — back.

Ella’s Story

Ella’s journey began in 2023, after years of unexplained symptoms — joint pain, mysterious rashes, fatigue, and fevers that came and went without warning. After countless Doctor visits and an initial diagnosis of juvenile inflammatory arthritis, further testing revealed that Ella had Lyme disease. Unfortunately, because her infection went untreated for so long, her body never fully recovered even after two rounds of antibiotics.

What started as joint pain has now become a daily struggle just to function. Ella often sleeps 14–18 hours a day, fights brain fog, and struggles with anxiety and depression brought on by her illness. She can no longer attend school regularly or participate in the activities she once loved — gymnastics, horseback riding, skiing, and most of all, softball. It’s heartbreaking for her family to see her go from an energetic, honor roll student who woke up early to tackle her day, to someone who struggles to leave her room the majority of the time.

On the occasion that she is having a good day, she does still try to be as social as possible.

A New Diagnosis — and Hope

After years of uncertainty, Ella has finally received a proper diagnosis: Post-Treatment Chronic Lyme Disease, complicated by several co-infections, including recurring strep. The good news is that there are specialized treatments that can help her regain her strength and quality of life — but they are not covered by insurance.

Ella will be receiving care through Dr. Joe Riccione’s practice in Williamsville, NY, as well as a second opinion at Arbor Health in Rochester.

Why This Help Means So Much

Ella’s mom, Jessie, has been fighting her own health battles — living with Parkinson’s disease and ankylosing spondylitis — while caring for Ella full time. Despite her own pain and exhaustion, Jessie has done everything she can to get Ella the help she needs. But the medical expenses are simply too much to handle alone.

How You Can Help

Your donation — no matter how small — will go directly toward Ella’s treatments, supplements, and travel costs for her care. Every dollar brings Ella one step closer to the healthy, happy, active life she deserves.

Thank you for reading and for helping us bring hope, healing, and energy back to Ella’s life.