Syracuse (WSYR-TV) – An increase in tick bites in Central New York is raising concern over more local cases of Lyme disease. Lyme disease can be debilitating if untreated and is typically transmitted by ticks.
New York State is second in the nation when it comes to Lyme disease cases. There are an average of 6,000 cases statewide, which is more than a quarter of all the cases in the country.
One Central New York woman was stricken with the disease and now she is imploring others to take measures to avoid a similar fate.
Kellie Loerzel was a paralegal, but now she is serving as her own personal nurse.
She has a coffee table filled with medication she’s using to treat something she got from a tick carrying Lyme disease. The condition has brought daily pain, suffering and shaking.
Loerzel was bitten in the same manner as most victims – while she was walking in the woods. In her case, it was during a visit to North Carolina. But in Central New York, ticks carrying Lyme disease have been detected all over.
Although she started feeling symptoms within a month, it took time for a positive diagnosis. In that time, the disease took hold. Since then, it’s taken a toll physically and mentally. Since she has limited health insurance, the disease has hampered her financially as well.
Her friends, led by Kim Cowels, have organized a benefit for Loerzel.
“It’s tough to see a friend like this,” said Cowels.
For now, Loerzel is putting all of her efforts toward education and helping others to understand that speed in diagnosis is the key.
“What I want people to know is that if I knew what I know right now, I wouldn’t be sick right now if I went to a doctor as soon as I found a tick on me. I’d be fine,” she said.
The benefit will be held on Saturday at the Big Bay Marina in Central Square. It will feature music, food, and raffles. The event will begin at 6 p.m.
Central New York Lyme Support meets the first Sunday of every month at the Sullivan Library in Chittenango at 2 p.m. For more information, call (315) 687-6540.
