Anika's Fight Against Long-COVID & Lyme

Two days prior to departing the clinic for Long Covid Treatment, I received my bloodwork results indicating that I have chronic Lyme disease. Specifically, I tested positive for Borrelia burgdorferi, as well as Ehrlichia, which is a coinfection of Lyme. Consequently, I will need to return to undergo treatment. The earliest available appointment is in mid-February, but I have chosen to postpone my departure until the day after Shade Tree Academy's groundbreaking event. The anticipated cost of treatment will exceed 20,000 dollars. I intend to delve into further details regarding Lyme and Ehrlichia at a later time.

My name is Anika Robinson, and I am one of the three co-founders of ASA Now, Jacob's Mission Community Center, and Shade Tree Academy. I have been a licensed foster parent for the past 16 years. Through volunteering as a foster parent, I have served as a therapeutic caregiver, DDD and Medically fragile home, and acted as a kinship caregiver. In addition to my four biological children, I have welcomed four adopted children into our family.

Over the last 7 years, I have been a strong advocate for legislation in Arizona that benefitted children in foster care. It is my burning desire to help improve the grim statistics that children in foster care face. This desire led two friends and I to establish three non-profit organizations to serve Arizona's foster care and at-risk populations. I wish for nothing more than to continue my life's mission, but I need your help.

In 2020, I received two COVID vaccines, but shortly after, I became ill and tested positive for COVID-19. Within a month, I started losing my hair, and within two more months, I could hardly move due to the inflammation and joint pain I was experiencing, on top of chronic fatigue. Over the past 19 months, we have spent over $40,000 on tests, surgeries, and treatments. I've undergone four surgeries in the past four months and have been diagnosed with Long-COVID. This disease has significantly impacted my central nervous system, and has attacked my major organs, including my brain. Through testing, I discovered that I have MTHFR and COMPT gene mutations, making it incredibly hard for my body to detox the spiked protein. I've also tested positive for Chronic Inflammatory Response Syndrome (CIRS). I have received diagnoses of Lupus, Hashimoto's, and Raynaud's. The most pressing issue is that it has crossed the blood-brain barrier and has been attacking my brain, leaving me suffering from seizures and debilitating brain fog. I endure chronic fatigue, migraines, seizures, inflammation, joint pain, to name a few. My inability to detox means I have the spiked protein, high levels of mold and heavy metals in my bloodstream. I've tried every available modality, from chemotherapy and numerous medications to natural alternatives like hyperbaric chambers, saunas, infrared light therapy, cold plunges, Frequency Specific Microcurrent, yoga, meditation, vibration plates, lymphatic massage, parasite cleanses, mold detox, Lyme detox, coffee enemas, organic food, homemade cleaners, and clean, organic, personal items to reduce the toxic load on my system. I even went to the Gerson Clinic to learn how to flood my body with all-organic produce to give my body a fighting chance to heal. I have been eating clean since May of 2022.

It has become evident that despite following a strict therapeutic daily routine, my body needs more help than I can provide through detox regimens, supplements, and healthy eating. My functional medicine and neurologist have recommended plasmapheresis. While this requires a spinal tap for insurance purposes, the likelihood of insurance covering it for Long-COVID is very slim, leaving me with no option than to appeal that decision which could take over a year. Long-COVID Plasmapheresis is currently not covered by insurance. There are published studies showing improvement in patients who have undergone plasmapheresis LINK, and both Germany and Mexico have clinics that offer this service. I sent over 200 pages of medical records to three clinics, and all three medical doctors who reviewed my chart agreed that this treatment along with other protocols is needed to cleanse my blood. After consulting with three clinics, I have chosen one whose doctor suggested additional testing due to my concerning blood results. He will run additional tests and provide stem cell, plasmapheresis, and other treatment while we wait for results.

Many of you have asked if you could assist with medical expenses and we have turned down donations, that is until now. The two-week treatment costs $17,000, not including airfare, lodging, or meals, which we estimate to be an additional $3,000 for the two week stay. Additional treatments may be needed once test results come back. We are looking to travel for treatment November 28th, with our first appointment starting November 29th in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico.

This leads me to my GoFundMe request. This treatment in Mexico holds the potential to make a drastic difference in my life. If it brings me closer to being the person I was before chronic pain and illness took over, then I am willing to take that chance.

Any amount that you can donate to help in my healing journey would be greatly appreciated. We understand that not everyone has the means to donate, so if you cannot, we ask that you share this fundraiser. Perhaps someone else will feel inclined to help. Thank you for your continued prayers and support.

Go Fund Me response to the following information in my story:

1. Who you are: Anika Robinson

2. Where you're from: Mesa, AZ

3. Your relationship to the parties you're raising funds for: Self

4. How the funds will be spent (be specific as possible): Funds raised will be used to pay for medical treatment in Mexico.