Physical Wellness

Celebrity ‘MasterChef’ Winner Gigi Hadid Cries While Talking About Mother’s Lyme Disease

By Jenn Loro | Update Date: Jan 21, 2016 10:49 AM EST

Gigi Hadid, the 20-year old supermodel daughter of The Real Housewives star Yolanda Foster, proved that she can be a chef too. On the January 19 episode of 'Master Chef Celebrity Showdown', the gorgeous model showed off her superb culinary talent in preparing a mouthwatering burger that sure-fired her aim for the win.

Gigi's triumph at the competition was quite emotional as tears rolled down her face while describing about her family's continuing battle against Lyme disease. Her cause-oriented victory was strongly driven by her desire to raise fund for a Lyme disease charity that is currently working in finding a cure.

"My mom, sister and brother are all affected by Lyme disease. Not enough people know what Lyme disease is... With $25,000, we can help with finding a cure. It can help so much. I'm the only one of my siblings...my mom and my family...that hasn't been affected by Lyme disease," the teary-eyed Gigi explained as quoted saying by Hollywood Life.

As a sufferer, Yolanda Foster helped contribute to the increasing public awareness of the disease with her celebrity status. She was diagnosed with the chronic Lyme disease back in 2012. In October last year, she revealed to the public that her two youngest children, Bella and Anwar, also contracted the tick-borne illness. Experts, however, noted that Lyme disease is not caused by some inherent genetic factors.

In a recent update of her continuing struggle with the illness, Foster candidly shared her painful ordeal from the debilitating illness with her fans.

"I have lost the ability to read, write, or even watch TV, because I can't process information or any stimulation for that matter. It feels like someone came in and confiscated my brain and tied my hands behind my back to just watch and see life go by without me participating in it," said Foster in her blog as mentioned in a report by E Online.

According to Yahoo News, Lyme disease is caused by bite from a tick that carries the bacterium Borrelia burgdorferi. The untreated small tick bite may severely progress into painful complications with symptoms that include heart palpitations, late-Lyme arthritis, pain in the joints, and even limited neurocognitive functions.

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