Help The Klaus Family Fight Lyme Disease

Dear Family, Friends and Supporters,

As some of you may know, the Klaus family has recently been struggling with medical issues resulting from Lyme Disease. Here is a summary of the complex situation they are currently facing:

In August 2022, Nick and Ashley noticed that Hayley (9) wasn’t acting like herself. She complained of chronic tummy aches, joint pain, muscle aches, fatigue, and severe jaw pain. This began 10 months of doctor and specialist visits, imaging, and searching for answers, all the while watching Hayley struggle and her health decline. After numerous lab tests, it was determined that Hayley has late-stage chronic Lyme Disease along with multiple co-infections. It very quickly became clear that the road to remission would be long and expensive. Unfortunately, western medicine does not acknowledge or treat chronic Lyme, leaving the Klaus family to pay for treatment out of pocket. Hayley is currently seeing a renowned Lyme specialist out of Palo Alto, along with a Lyme naturopath. She is also being seen by a pediatric rheumatologist and maxillofacial surgeon for her continued jaw swelling.

In January, Nick and Ashley began noticing similar symptoms in their daughter Ivy (5). Then, in February, Ashley started struggling with widespread joint pain. After two months of persistent symptoms, they decided to test both Ivy and Ashley for Lyme. The results came back as Lyme positive, with multiple co-infections. After the specialist reviewed their case and lab results, it is suspected that Ashley contracted Lyme at some point and passed it onto the girls in utero.

In April, the Klaus family found mold in their house. This likely acted as the trigger that woke up the dormant Lyme disease that had been unknowingly hiding in their systems. The presence of mold is a common trigger for Lyme. Because of their sensitivity to mold, and their compromised immune systems, they have been undergoing extensive mold remediation in their home, which has been an additional out of pocket expense.

Ivy and Ashley have just begun treatment for their Lyme. Each specialist appointment is $1300, along with the cost of the supplements, therapies, lab tests, detox products and naturopath visits. In the past 6 months, they have spent $21,000 out of pocket and they have only just begun treatment. Typical treatment for chronic Lyme ranges from $50K-$100K, per person; Lyme is challenging to acheive remission and requires a couple years of treatment, plus ongoing therapies to keep it at bay.

It has been devastating for us to watch the downward spiral of health that the Klaus family have endured in these past several months. We have continually asked ourselves how we can best support them during this time. While it’s hard for them to pinpoint the things that are the most helpful to them right now, we know that they have a huge financial need in order to continue to adequately treat their family. We are so appreciative to each one of you for your prayers and support during this time.