This is one of the hardest things I’ve ever had to write, and I never imagined I would be creating a GoFundMe for myself.

For eight years, I’ve battled Lyme disease privately, doing everything I could to handle it on my own without asking for financial help. But I’ve reached a point where I can’t continue this fight alone.

I have been battling chronic neurological Lyme disease since 2018 after a tick bite completely changed my life. At the time, I had no idea I had even been bitten, and I knew nothing about Lyme disease. Through all the chaos and symptoms and ultimately being forced to walk away from my music career, I never once asked for financial help from family or friends. I’ve always believed in working hard and pushing through no matter the obstacle. But I now realize my pride has gotten in the way of my healing as I’ve tried to carry this entirely on my own for eight years.

For those unfamiliar, Lyme disease is a debilitating bacterial infection commonly transmitted through tick bites and other vectors. Lyme often doesn’t travel alone, co-infections such as Bartonella, Babesia, and others frequently accompany it. When caught early, usually within a 30-day window, many people recover fully.

Unfortunately, I wasn’t diagnosed for three years.

That delay allowed these infections time to become chronic and spread throughout my body, affecting my brain, heart, eyes, and nervous system, leading to severe and debilitating symptoms that have made normal day-to-day life incredibly difficult. Once Lyme disease and its co-infections become chronic, treatment can be extremely complex and prolonged. Rather than a simple cure, many patients require ongoing treatment aimed at managing symptoms and bringing the illness into remission.

If you know me, you may remember that I was part of a Christian band in 2018. At the height of touring and success at Christian radio, I began experiencing what felt like a mysterious and frightening illness: brain fog, panic attacks, heart complications, neurological issues, and severe fatigue that made performing and traveling increasingly difficult.

At the time, I had no idea it was Lyme disease. What I later learned was that the infection had begun affecting my heart, a condition known as Lyme carditis. Lyme carditis can disrupt the heart’s electrical system and, in severe cases, become life-threatening. Looking back, there were moments early in my illness where I was experiencing serious cardiac complications that could have ended very differently if they had gone untreated.

As my health declined, I made the incredibly difficult decision to step away from the band and the music career I had worked toward my entire life. Walking away from music and ministry during that season was one of the hardest decisions I’ve ever made.

Three years later, I finally received a Lyme disease diagnosis. Looking back, it explained so much, but by then the illness had already taken a significant toll.

For the past five years, I have been actively in treatment. Despite pursuing multiple therapies and doing everything I can to recover, my symptoms remain debilitating and unpredictable, making it difficult to work and be the Jon I used to be.

I continue to deal with severe fatigue, cognitive dysfunction often called “Lyme brain,” nervous system dysregulation, anxiety, heart complications, sleep disruption, and ongoing neurological symptoms that make consistent work extremely challenging.

Since 2018, I have also battled significant mental health challenges connected to this illness, including derealization, depersonalization, depression, and anhedonia. Living in chronic panic and uncertainty for years changes you. Lyme disease has changed me as a person in ways I never expected.

Throughout these eight years, I never asked for financial help. I paid for doctors, specialists, testing, supplements, and treatments completely out of pocket while trying to continue functioning and supporting myself. Life doesn’t stop when you get sick, and over time I have simply exhausted my resources.

I am still in treatment.

I am still fighting.

But I no longer have the financial ability to continue this journey on my own.

I am setting a goal of $35,000 to help cover:

• Medical debt

• Ongoing treatment and therapies (including EBOO, ozone therapy, hyperbaric oxygen therapy, and IV care)

• Neurological and autonomic nervous system support

• Basic living expenses while I focus on healing

Most of these treatments are not covered by insurance, leaving patients like me responsible for the full cost of care.

This is not easy for me to share. Asking for help is something I’ve avoided for eight years. But I want to heal, rebuild my life, and move forward and I can’t do that alone anymore.

If my music ever encouraged you, if our paths have crossed through ministry, or if you simply feel moved to help, I would be deeply grateful for your support or even just sharing this page.

Thank you for taking the time to read my story and for standing with me during this season. I love you all.

Jon