The Ryan Guerin Fund

The Ryan Guerin Fund is a special fund that helps financially needy Lyme disease patients who require diagnostic testing for tick-borne illnesses, to be able to afford these tests when they are seriously financially needy. Laboratory tests are paid directly out of this fund, to the laboratories performing the tests. Donations are given to patients demonstrating substantial financial need. Those on disability may also apply.

The fund was established in honor of deceased North Carolina Lyme patient Ryan Guerin. Ryan served in the U.S. Navy in the first Persian Gulf War. Ryan fought courageously, but because he was not diagnosed early enough in his illness, he never had a real chance to regain his health, and he subsequently died from Lyme disease.

Also, when author, advocate, and Lyme patient PJ Langhoff had to wait 13 years before any doctor would even agree to test her for Lyme disease and other tick-borne infections, she was outraged when her insurance company refused to pay for expensive, but necessary Lyme diagnostic testing. Due to a lack of money, PJ was forced to pick and choose between laboratory tests that she could afford, delaying her diagnosis and recovery for years!

As an advocate, PJ learned of similar problems with patients who could no longer work due to their illness, and whom could not afford to pay for doctor visits, lab testing, or life-saving treatments.

Disgusted from her own, and the experiences of other Lyme patients having to choose between essentials like food and housing, versus paying for medical care, PJ vowed to establish a fund so that one day financially needy patients could move forward with necessary tests so they could be diagnosed and treated for Lyme and other tick-borne illnesses, before it's too late.

Who qualifies?
Any Lyme patient or potential patient dealing with tick-borne illness
who demonstrates great financial need;* located anywhere in the world
and who requires initial Lyme and/or co-infection screening.
 

What Tests Qualify?
Lyme disease and co-infection screening panels at any
CLIA, Medicare, or approved laboratory

*Financial need is generally considered to be at or below mean poverty income levels for your region. Applicants must be able to arrange their own testing and use licensed and certified testing laboratories. Awards are issued upon review of applications and given by greatest need and fund availability. Applicants must complete a financial application for consideration. Deadline for consideration in any given month is the 1st of the month. Applications received after that time will be considered in the following month's group. Applicants who are accepted are notified, and all applications are subject to demonstrated need and fund availability. Decisions by the fund director are final. Payments are made directly to the laboratory performing the test on behalf of the patient.

    Click to Donate to the Ryan Guerin Fund:
Help someone's dream of regaining their health come true.
All major credit cards accepted*
*There is a small service fee paid to Paypal for each donation.
Otherwise, 100% of the donations are paid directly for needy patient testing.

You may mail a payment donation to:
"The Ryan Guerin Fund"
c/o PJ Langhoff
P.O. Box 444
Hustisford, Wisconsin 53034    USA

To apply for financial assistance through this fund click here