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Anthem Family Battles Emotional and Financial
Strains of Lyme Disease
How You Can Help
Anthem, AZ. November 3, 2009. The Clark family was a typical all-American happy family of three when Caleb was born five years ago. Chuck was a successful chiropractor, while Angie worked as a nurse and cared for the family. That was until Angie was diagnosed with Lyme disease and their world came apart – almost four years ago.
Angie currently is bed-ridden with multiple infections associated with the Lyme Disease. Chuck, unable to maintain his practice while also caring for his wife, now works in sales. They soon will be evicted from their rental home. They have unpaid medical bills and may lose their insurance. Their funds are so limited, Chuck, recently hospitalized with heart issues, has been trying to save money by eating only Raman Noodles, just so that he can afford to purchase chicken for his wife to get the protein she needs to fight off the disease and so that Caleb does not go hungry. They are behind in their taxes and behind in the utility bills. Their extended family’s resources are now limited from the years of care and assistance. They were alone and afraid.
Alone, until a friend of the family contacted an Anthem volunteer organization, Anthem Cares Through Service (ACTS). Because of the almost unbelievable stress and costs associated with Lyme Disease, ACTS has “adopted the Clark family in Anthem to assist them with expenses, such as medical care and housing and to support them with house cleaning, food, child care and other serves provided by volunteers and business,” tells Bob Andringa, ACTS chairperson. ACTS is working with other local charities, including We Care In Anthem, the Salvation Army, and the Anthem Community Council Volunteerism Committee to provide services and assistance to the family.
Andringa adds, “Unfortunately, this family needs more than we can provide at this time.” ACTS is asking for donations to help offset living expenses and the $1000.00 a month medical expense bill. A special fund has been established for the Clark Family through We Care In Anthem. You may send your tax deductable donation to We Care in Anthem, 3655 Anthem Way, #109, PMB 280. Please put Clark Family in the memo. Additionally, an account has been established at Wells Fargo, through We Care In Anthem, Account Number #2832590620 for direct deposit donations.
About Lyme Disease:
Lyme disease is an infection caused by a spirochete (Borrelia Burgdorferi) that humans can get from the bite of an infected deer tick. Lyme disease is called “The Great Imitator” because its symptoms mimic many other diseases. Some typical symptoms may include fever, headache, fatigue and a characteristic skin rash. However if left untreated it can affect any organ of the body, including the brain and nervous system, muscles and joints, and the heart. It is not contagious from one person to another. It is more common in the Midwest to East, but cases are popping up in every state in the U.S. and abroad. 248,074 cases of Lyme disease were reported to CDC by health departments in the 50 states between 1992-2006. A total of 35,198 new cases were reported in the U.S., a 77% increase from 2006. These are surveillance numbers, and by the CDC's own admission, actual cases are estimated to be 6-12 times this amount, which means Lyme disease is about ten times more prevalent than AIDS and West Nile Virus combined.
About Anthem Cares Through Service (ACTS):
Anthem Cares Through Service (ACTS) is an unincorporated, but organized, network of volunteers who are Members of the Anthem Golf & Country Club. More than 40 volunteers provide services to individuals and families in need who live in the greater Anthem community. ACTS is an approved program for targeted fund-raising efforts of We Care In Anthem, a recognized 501 (c)(3) tax-exempt charity founded in 2002 to raise support for seriously ill children and their families in Anthem, AZ.
Contact Information:
Bob Andringa, ACTS Chairperson
Email: bobandringa@mac.com
C: 623.692.7611
Liz Turner, ACTS Vice-Chair
Email:elizabethturnerus@yahoo.com
C: 623.640.8417
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