The Maitland community has weighed heavily into the controversial Lyme disease debate with 97.64 per cent of Mercury readers voting more should be done for sufferers living in Australia.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Of the 254 readers who took part in The Maitland Mercury’s online voting poll, 248 agreed more help was needed for those living with the horrific tick-borne disease.
On Thursday, The Maitland Mercury told the story of Tahlia Smith, a young Raworth woman who needs $100,000 to travel to Germany for a radical treatment regime.
Tahlia, 21, has also joined a campaign calling for the Australian government to acknowledge the presence of the disease in ticks across the country.
As it stands, Tahlia’s treatment is not government-funded and some doctors believe the disease does not exist in Australia.
“It’s hurtful to hear these things, and it’s frustrating because this disease is every bit as bad cancer and there is no cure,” Tahlia said.
It is believed Tahlia was infected with the disease while promoting her burgeoning performing arts career.
It remains unknown where she was bitten in Australia or America.
The Rotary Club of East Maitland has taken up Tahlia’s cause and registered the “Tahlia’s Turn for the Better” project.
For more information or to make a donation visit this site.