Vice President Charles P. Balducci Discusses His Involvement with Turn the Corner Foundation

After almost losing my life to Lyme disease, I wanted to help other people avoid what I went through. In July of 2004, I came down with a fever. I went to a doctor who gave me a week of antibiotics and said it was just a virus. Two months later, I fell ill during my honeymoon. I lost all my energy and could barely walk. I was in bad shape and I literally felt like I had the wind knocked out of me for days. I came back home and checked myself into the hospital, where no one could figure out what was wrong with me.

They kept me in the emergency room for observation and were about to release me when they took my vital signs. My heart rate was 28 beats a minute and they couldn’t even measure my blood pressure. They immediately put me in intensive care where, thankfully, a doctor realized there was a chance I had Lyme disease. It turns out that the Lyme bacteria had surrounded my heart and was not allowing it to beat.

After a week with a temporary pacemaker and aggressive antibiotic treatment, my heart rate returned to normal. They released me and I underwent a month of IV antibiotics. I am doing fine today, but realize that everything could have been avoided if I were treated properly at the beginning.

The doctors assumed that I had been bitten by a tick while playing golf that July. Like so many others, I never saw the telltale bull’s eye rash so nobody thought to test me for Lyme.

When I was introduced to TTC by my business partner’s wife, I was immediately interested in this organization where I could help make a difference in the Lyme community. Being a part of TTC is important to me because I am confident in our mission, I share the enthusiasm of my fellow Board Members and I’m excited about our potential and future growth.

My role as a Board Member for TTC has primarily been fundraising and idea sharing. My major accomplishments include the push to make the organization a public charity. I was incredibly proud and amazed to be a part of TTC’s second fundraising gala, Unmask A Cure, especially as we surpassed the $1 million dollar mark in funds raised.

I graduated from Penn State University with a BA in Finance and have worked as a First Vice President for Merrill Lynch Global Wealth Management for the past 11 years. My interests include golfing, traveling and fishing. Participating in outdoor activities like these often exposes people to tick bites. I want others to be able to enjoy these activities and be informed about the dangers of Lyme disease.

If you are interested in serving on the Board of Directors or Event Committee, please fill out the attached form or contact Darren Port at 646.278.6735 or darren@poweredbyprofessionals.com.