Ramona Singer Reveals Her Deeply Personal Tie to Lyme Disease

The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills alum Yolanda Hadid, who has suffered from Lyme disease, is passionate about bringing about awareness to the illness — and she's not the only Housewife who has a personal tie to the cause. Ramona Singer recently revealed that her sister has also battled the disease. 

"I was involved with a man who’s a doctor and he volunteered at the first Lyme disease clinic at Lenox Hill maybe 30 years ago and when he first told me I said, ‘What do you mean, Lyme disease!?” The Real Housewives of New York City pal told ET. “Then his sister started complaining about not feeling well and being fatigued — he thought she was just being a hypochondriac, then found out she had Lyme!”

And, it wasn't long before Ramona discovered that her own younger sister was also struggling with the sickness. "She was complaining about all kinds of pain eight years ago, to the point where she was having problems walking,” Ramona said. “We finally come to our own conclusion that this must be Lyme disease, then she was tested for it. I’ve become a maven since then. I’m aggressive, so I started calling all my friends saying, ‘My sister has Lyme disease; who do you know? Who can I call?’ I was on a rampage to find the best doctor because even once you’re diagnosed, some doctors don’t know how to treat it or can’t be bothered treating it." 

She continued: "It’s incredible in this day and age how ignorant people are and the tests aren’t always foolproof. It’s just a really scary disease and it’s not black-and-white." 

Thankfully, Ramona's sister has made a full recovery from the disease, but the RHONY pal has seen other people who are close to her suffer from Lyme. Of Yolanda, she said, "She’s very fortunate as she has lovely children who support her tremendously and I know she has made great strides, but it took a toll on her life, her marriage and on her relationships. But she has gotten through it and she’s definitely an inspiration.”

Ramona will speak at The Global Lyme Alliance Gala October 11. Yolanda also supports the organization and both 'Wives were present at the gala last year, as well.