East Longmeadow, Massachusetts —

My family and I are the recipients of a Christmas Jar! I am so humbled and filled with gratitude at this beautiful act of kindness and love. I have a daughter who is very ill. She has been sick for 6 years and it took us 5 years to get an accurate diagnosis. She has Autoimmune Encephalitis and PANS caused by Lyme and Bartonella infections. We have been financially devastated by this. Most doctors who treat these illnesses do not take medical insurance so we’ve paid thousands and thousands of dollars out of pocket. Additionally, she was not able to attend school so my husband had to quit his job because someone needed to be home to care for her full at all times. Receiving this jar is a bright spot in a long and difficult journey. She is getting better but she deals with excruciating pain and cognitive effects of the illness. I hope someday I will be the one delivering a jar to someone who needs it. Thank you!!!

Marcia de Blok-Devenitch