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Yolanda Foster, who was diagnosed with chronic Lyme disease in 2012, revealed that two out of her three children also suffer from the disease, while at the first Global Lyme Alliance gala on Thursday night.
Foster said, “When my two youngest children, Bella and Anwar, were diagnosed with chronic Lyme disease in early 2012, watching my babies struggle in silence in order to support me in my journey struck the deepest core of hopelessness inside of me.”
Presenting her mom with the Power of One Award, Yolanda’s youngest daughter, Gigi, told the audience, “Before someone I loved was diagnosed with something that drastically and negatively changed her quality of life, I didn’t really understand the meaning of the word ‘hope.’ For a whole year, I struggled to understand the pain and confusion that she was experiencing, but that no one seemed to have the answers for. Finally, after being falsely diagnosed for many things including chronic fatigue syndrome and depression, my mom was diagnosed with neurological Lyme disease.”
Hadid continued, “She realized she could use this platform of this world-famous television show to spread awareness. She was honest, unapologetic, and raw. In no time, she got thousands of emails, letters from families that were suffering, lost, felt misunderstood, mostly scared.”
Once Yolanda stepped onstage to accept the award, she shared, “This award is for Anwar and Bella. This is my token and my promise to you that I will not allow you to live a life of pain and suffering. I will walk to the end of the earth to find a cure so that you can live a healthy life that you deserve. No child should suffer the way that you do… I thank you both for your extraordinary selflessness during this journey. Your unwavering love and compassion has kept me alive and fighting through the darkest days of my life.”
Gigi and her boyfriend Joe Jonas also made their red-carpet debut at the gala.
Agencies/Canadajournal
