Pushing forward together: Updates from the Center for Lyme Action
From the Center for Lyme Action:
We’re entering the second half of 2025 with serious momentum—thanks to the incredible support of advocates like you.
In May, Center for Lyme Action hosted a Congressional Series live event on The Future of Lyme and Tick-borne Disease Diagnostics featuring an expert panel of LymeX Innovation Accelerator finalists and remarks from Senator Susan Collins, Representative Chris Smith and US Department of Health and Human Services Chief Technology Officer Dr. Kristen Honey.
CEO of Galaxy Diagnostics and co-author of CLA’s State of Lyme Disease Research paper, Nicole Bell presented the keynote speech. Thank you to the Driscoll Family Foundation for supporting this educational event. Watch the summary video.
Advocates from across the country joined us for this event, and many came together to make one last push for Fiscal Year 2026 appropriations.
Together in a three day strategic effort, we knocked on hundreds of doors on Capitol Hill, amplifying the urgent need for increased funding for Lyme and other tick-borne diseases, calling for the restoration and funding of the CDMRP Tick-borne Disease Research Program, and encouraging house members to sign onto the Alpha-gal Allergen Inclusion Act.
CDMRP
We’re thrilled to share that our advocacy is working! Thousands of you participated in our campaigns to restore funding for the Congressionally Directed Medical Research Program (CDMRP) and specifically for the Tickborne Disease Research Program (TBDRP) funded at $7 million.
We are pleased to announce that the House Appropriations Committee has included the $7 million TBDRP funding in the FY26 House Defense Appropriations Act!
While we’re not at the finish line yet as the bill needs to pass the House and be reconciled with the Senate Appropriations bill, nevertheless your voice has been heard. This restoration of funding by the Committee wouldn’t have happened without your persistent advocacy.
Take Action: Alpha-gal Allergen Inclusion Act
Please urge your Member of the U.S. House of Representatives to cosponsor the Alpha-gal Allergen Inclusion Act. that requires the FDA to add alpha-gal to the list of major food allergens. [Alpha-gal is a serious allergy that’s triggered by a tick bite.)
Right now, there is no requirement to list alpha-gal on food labels, and people with alpha-gal syndrome have to guess whether a product contains the allergen that could harm them.
If the bill passes, disclosing alpha-gal on the label of most packaged foods will be required. Take action now.
Thank you to our partner, the Alpha-gal Alliance Action Fund, for putting this campaign together.
What’s Next: Join Our July Virtual Advocate Town Hall
We’ll be hosting a virtual Advocate Town Hall this July 16 @ 4 PM ET to provide updates on federal Lyme and tick-borne disease policy, review where we stand in the appropriations process, and outline what’s ahead for the remainder of 2025. This event will be recorded.
We have critical initiatives underway, and we need all hands on deck. Please invite others in the Lyme and tick-borne disease community to attend—we’re stronger together. Register here.
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