A Newcastle-area woman who was originally thought to have early onset Parkinson’s Disease or Multiple Sclerosis, was found instead to have Lyme disease and mercury poisoning.
Stacy Leader, the wife of Richard Leader and the mother of award-winning Newcastle swimmer Connor Leader and previous Newcastle State Champion/Drury College women’s swim team member Ashley Leader, was finally properly diagnosed in May 2024.
Since before that time, the family has had significant medical bills, and they continue to this day. In order to help, Stacy’s sister-inlaw, Lavina Leader Kayyal, set up a GoFundMe account to raise funds to help cover their medical expenses.
Stacy was going through the mercury chelation treatments and started feeling better, but her doctor was concerned. In May, Stacy’s doctor determined Lyme Disease and co-infections were attacking her nervous system. So she has about 10 viruses having a party in her body.
The Lyme disease and coinfections are treatable with Supportive Oligonucleotide Therapy (SOT). The plan was to take a break from the mercury chelation to start treating Lyme disease.
These viruses and mercury also causes damage and affects the adrenal glands, which help regulate salt, potassium, and other electrolytes. Stacy has not been able to drink enough electrolytes.
For Stacy’s body to function, she has had to get multiple infusions per week, which are not covered by insurance.
She’s had a PICC line in her left arm for a year to get daily infusions and now one in her right arm for 9 months, and more than 600 infusions.
The GoFundMe account had raised $11,585 with all funds already being used for medical expenses. Stacy needs to continue the proper treatment to get on track.
They would also ask that people share the GoFundMe link with others to get the word out.
The link is: https://www. gofundme.com/f/medicalexpenses- for-stacy-leader. Another way to donate can be sent to Venmo @Richard-Leader-2.
“Please help us raise additional money to continue Stacy’s Lyme and mercury treatment and continue the IV fluids, so Stacy can finally get rid of the viruses, poison and heal,” Kayyal said. “Thank you so much from the bottom of our hearts. Any financial assistance would be greatly appreciated. Please help this wife and mom get her health back.”
