Benefit supports local teen suffering from lyme disease

A local family admits they were emotionally moved after the outpouring of community support at a fundraiser for fifteen- year- old Kelsey Warren of Willards.

Kelsey says, “It means a lot to know that all these people care and are coming, all the donations.”

Kelsey was diagnosed with lyme disease when she was eight. It’s a tick- borne illness that can affect every part of the body.

The fundraiser featured a car show, a karaoke contest, zumba, face painting, a silent auction and several other family friendly activities.

The money earned from the event will help the Warren family pay for Kelsey’s medical expenses that aren’t covered by their insurance company for lyme disease treatment.

Although this was a fun family event, the family said they only agreed to the benefit if the Lyme Disease Association of the Eastern Shore of Maryland could use the opportunity to raise awareness. They’re focused on educating the public on what they say can be devastating effects of this disease.

Marilyn Williams, the vice president of the Lyme Disease says, “We really need to do everything we can to keep ticks off of us and our children. It means protecting the skin, protecting the clothes, keeping grass cut, keeping toys out in the sun.”

According to the CDC, there were more than eight hundred reported cases of lyme disease in the state of Maryland in 2013. However, the actual number is expected to be much higher considering a number of cases go unreported.