Lyme&Mold Rescue Story for Patrick & Angela Russo
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Our dear friends, Angela and Patrick Russo, face life-threatening mold toxicity in their current residence, as well as chronic Lyme Disease. They battle debilitating symptoms daily. In order to survive, they need our support to leave their current residence by May, trash and replace 90% of contaminated belongings, and pay for life-saving treatments not covered by insurance.
We are so grateful for anyone who gives to keep our friends alive. They have touched so many lives and continue to do so. Thank you to all who contribute to keep them with us!
Scroll down to read more of their story.
Angela and Patrick’s Story
Prior to falling ill, Angela worked briefly as an elementary school teacher, and then entered graduate school for Clinical Social Work at SUNY Albany. It was her dream to become either a therapist, advocate, or combination of the two. Those dreams were derailed when first she, and then her husband began to fall mysteriously, severely sick.
After 2 years, over 7 doctors, and countless trips to the emergency room, Angela began losing the ability to work, and then walk. Not long after that, it became difficult to sleep for long spans of time, and even eating and drinking became difficult and painful! Plagued by non-stop intensely debilitating neurological pain, inflammation, and cognitive dysfunction (amongst dozens of other symptoms) they eventually learned that they both have chronic Lyme Disease with over ten other equally severe tick-borne diseases - breeding the perfect storm of debilitating complex illness.
However, Patrick and Angela continued to fight for their health for 5 more years, and help others despite being sick themselves. Angela enlisted to be a peer mentor for the Global Lyme Alliance, helping other Lyme warriors advocate for themselves with their doctors and families. The couple also took on leadership of a local young adult Christian group when most dissolved during the pandemic, providing a space of community and spiritual support when many people felt isolated and discouraged. Hearing the voices of many yearning for community and fellowship, they started a completely virtual community that serves the New York Capital Region so that those who are homebound or long-distance have access to community.
One of the most beautiful things about Angela and Patrick is their empathy, and their efforts to try to help others not have to suffer how they have. They have a knack for finding those who are in need, or excluded, and doing their best to show them the love they weren’t given. In this way, they live out a particular reflection of God’s love.
All Other Options Have Been Exhausted
For those who are familiar with Lyme, you are aware of what a complex disease it can be. But it can be difficult to understand for those who are unfamiliar. With mold involved, this couple will need to trash and replace 90% of their belongings, to avoid cross-contamination. One thing I know about Patrick and Angela is their determination to fight, and they have reached out to so many avenues to find the support they need.
Due to a lack of updated legislature for NY state, there are no specific laws that ensure protection and a healthy living environment for tenants dealing with mold. As a result, all government agencies do not have the education, funding, or training necessary to handle this, and there are no organizations that handle evacuation, remediation, or restoration for those suffering from black mold toxicity.
Having lived in mold for 7 years, this couple has experienced the destructive side effects of mold toxicity. While Patrick evaded the worst of the side effects before the pandemic, the work from home transition has put him into a swift decline. If he is not removed from the environment by May, he will be in danger of being unable to perform the duties of his job. Ongoing exposure to mold toxins reprograms and debilitates the immune system from being able to beat even minor infections. As a result, they have become resistant to many of the more affordable options for Lyme treatment, and have no way of healing from Lyme without leaving mold. While the World Health Organization has recently announced an official determination that chronic Lyme exists and deserves insurance coverage for treatment, the United States, CDC, and insurance companies have been reluctant to adopt these measures, as treating lyme is as expensive as treating cancer.
How You Can Help
Right now, we need to get Patrick and Angela out of their current living arrangements and into a safe home. We are also working to raise enough money to pay medical bills that insurance is not covering, but has saved their lives. Due to the nature of the disease, they will need ongoing financial support for medical bills.
Please JOIN US in FUNDRAISING - pray and contribute what you are called to give, but also please consider helping us spread the word by sharing (with as many individuals and in as many places as possible) the link to this fundraiser with a message speaking to the heart of the matter. We are using the hashtag #BreakTheMold
If you wish to mail a check, please send them here:
Care of Dylan Schmaling
35 Gretel Terrace
Ballston Lake, NY 12019
“Let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth.” 1 John 3:18
What They Need:
Cost Breakdown – $20,000 by May 2022
$10,000 – Costs for disposal of contaminated belongings, remediation of what can be cleaned and saved, and moving costs
$3,000 – First and last month’s rent for a new home
$7,000 – Costs to replace basic essential furniture (mattress, couch, bedroom set, dining set, vacuum, etc.)
Cost Breakdown – $30,000 MORE by Nov 2022
Ongoing out-of-pocket costs of treatment
Frees up the Russo’s budget for affording a new home in an inflated economy with student loans, and without employer-subsidized health insurance, or cost of living raises. Without this, they may not be able to sustain living in a new space.
We are so grateful for anyone who gives to keep our friends alive. They have touched so many lives and continue to do so. Thank you to all who contribute to keep them with us!
We are so grateful for anyone who gives to keep our friends alive. They have touched so many lives and continue to do so. Thank you to all who contribute to keep them with us!
Scroll down to read more of their story.
Angela and Patrick’s Story
Prior to falling ill, Angela worked briefly as an elementary school teacher, and then entered graduate school for Clinical Social Work at SUNY Albany. It was her dream to become either a therapist, advocate, or combination of the two. Those dreams were derailed when first she, and then her husband began to fall mysteriously, severely sick.
After 2 years, over 7 doctors, and countless trips to the emergency room, Angela began losing the ability to work, and then walk. Not long after that, it became difficult to sleep for long spans of time, and even eating and drinking became difficult and painful! Plagued by non-stop intensely debilitating neurological pain, inflammation, and cognitive dysfunction (amongst dozens of other symptoms) they eventually learned that they both have chronic Lyme Disease with over ten other equally severe tick-borne diseases - breeding the perfect storm of debilitating complex illness.
However, Patrick and Angela continued to fight for their health for 5 more years, and help others despite being sick themselves. Angela enlisted to be a peer mentor for the Global Lyme Alliance, helping other Lyme warriors advocate for themselves with their doctors and families. The couple also took on leadership of a local young adult Christian group when most dissolved during the pandemic, providing a space of community and spiritual support when many people felt isolated and discouraged. Hearing the voices of many yearning for community and fellowship, they started a completely virtual community that serves the New York Capital Region so that those who are homebound or long-distance have access to community.
One of the most beautiful things about Angela and Patrick is their empathy, and their efforts to try to help others not have to suffer how they have. They have a knack for finding those who are in need, or excluded, and doing their best to show them the love they weren’t given. In this way, they live out a particular reflection of God’s love.
All Other Options Have Been Exhausted
For those who are familiar with Lyme, you are aware of what a complex disease it can be. But it can be difficult to understand for those who are unfamiliar. With mold involved, this couple will need to trash and replace 90% of their belongings, to avoid cross-contamination. One thing I know about Patrick and Angela is their determination to fight, and they have reached out to so many avenues to find the support they need.
Due to a lack of updated legislature for NY state, there are no specific laws that ensure protection and a healthy living environment for tenants dealing with mold. As a result, all government agencies do not have the education, funding, or training necessary to handle this, and there are no organizations that handle evacuation, remediation, or restoration for those suffering from black mold toxicity.
Having lived in mold for 7 years, this couple has experienced the destructive side effects of mold toxicity. While Patrick evaded the worst of the side effects before the pandemic, the work from home transition has put him into a swift decline. If he is not removed from the environment by May, he will be in danger of being unable to perform the duties of his job. Ongoing exposure to mold toxins reprograms and debilitates the immune system from being able to beat even minor infections. As a result, they have become resistant to many of the more affordable options for Lyme treatment, and have no way of healing from Lyme without leaving mold. While the World Health Organization has recently announced an official determination that chronic Lyme exists and deserves insurance coverage for treatment, the United States, CDC, and insurance companies have been reluctant to adopt these measures, as treating lyme is as expensive as treating cancer.
How You Can Help
Right now, we need to get Patrick and Angela out of their current living arrangements and into a safe home. We are also working to raise enough money to pay medical bills that insurance is not covering, but has saved their lives. Due to the nature of the disease, they will need ongoing financial support for medical bills.
Please JOIN US in FUNDRAISING - pray and contribute what you are called to give, but also please consider helping us spread the word by sharing (with as many individuals and in as many places as possible) the link to this fundraiser with a message speaking to the heart of the matter. We are using the hashtag #BreakTheMold
If you wish to mail a check, please send them here:
Care of Dylan Schmaling
35 Gretel Terrace
Ballston Lake, NY 12019
“Let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth.” 1 John 3:18
What They Need:
Cost Breakdown – $20,000 by May 2022
$10,000 – Costs for disposal of contaminated belongings, remediation of what can be cleaned and saved, and moving costs
$3,000 – First and last month’s rent for a new home
$7,000 – Costs to replace basic essential furniture (mattress, couch, bedroom set, dining set, vacuum, etc.)
Cost Breakdown – $30,000 MORE by Nov 2022
Ongoing out-of-pocket costs of treatment
Frees up the Russo’s budget for affording a new home in an inflated economy with student loans, and without employer-subsidized health insurance, or cost of living raises. Without this, they may not be able to sustain living in a new space.
We are so grateful for anyone who gives to keep our friends alive. They have touched so many lives and continue to do so. Thank you to all who contribute to keep them with us!
This is a picture of Angela when she was in the hospital for several days after she suddenly incurred a terrifying reduction in vision in one of her eyes. She still has not recovered full vision.
This is just a portion of the many medicines and supplements that Angela has to take every single day.
This is 1st person POV of Angela's PICC line. She had a PICC line in for several months.
Fundraising team (3)
Dylan Schmaling
Organizer
San Antonio, TX
Patrick Russo
Beneficiary
Annunziata Parnoffi
Team member
Jessica Hubbard
Team member