Teen Forgoes Birthday Gifts for Lyme Research

For the second year in a row, a Freehold teen has used her birthday as a way to help others.

Deanna Warman, 14, set birthday gifts aside and instead asked family and friends to donate money to University of New Haven Lyme Research Program.  Warman’s inspiration for the party came from one of her older sisters, who has been battling Lyme disease for five years and is now in a wheelchair.

“When Alyssa was diagnosed with Lyme disease it turned everyone’s world upside down,” said the girls mother Roseanne Warman. “After last year’s successful turnout Deanna wanted to have the party again to raise more money.”

While there were some bumps in planning this year’s party, Hurricane Sandy caused the party to be relocated and moved to a later date, the turnout was still a success.

According to Roseanne Warman, 80 children attended Deanna’s birthday party and brought in a total of $2,100 for University of New Haven Lyme Research Program.