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Through our vision and compassion, we have made today possible. First and foremost, we are dedicated to targeted research to produce a gold standard test to diagnose Lyme disease, to find better treatment modalities for chronic illness, and to mobilize the federal government to recognize and address the severity of tick-borne disease in this country and beyond. Every TFL board member is personally committed and passionate about this mission in order to provide families, especially children, the freedom to play outdoors without fear of contracting a disease in their own backyard.
Today is an historic day for us. We have worked hard over these 9 years to raise over $4 million to turn these dreams into our reality, and the result of that effort is here with us in this room. Dedication, talent and passion are signature traits of TFL's 100% volunteer organization, a group loyal not only to our dream, but also to the support of one another.
We would like to introduce our amazing team to you. In a moment we will call up to the podium all the TFL board members, but first, we want to introduce to you one of our members who has worked tirelessly behind the scenes and has done so from the very beginning. Along with Diane Blanchard and myself, Fran Herzog is a co-founder of Time For Lyme and currently serves as board treasurer. We ask Fran to join us now. Fran has a busy job at TFL, and it is her wisdom and determination that keeps us fiscally responsible and exceedingly frugal. Thank you, Fran.
Now we ask our entire team to join us: Dana McAvity, Barbara Edwards, Janet Vaccaro, Mahshid Ehsani, Jennifer Frascella, Ann Lyons and our most supportive male board member, William Bainbridge Steele, who is unfortunately unable to join us today. Past members include: Deirdre Shea, Alida Meyers, Karen Peterson, Marion Pompadur, Julia Knox, Marnie Rutherford, and Dawn Wilson. Finally, we would be remiss if we did not mention a major contributor to our success, the late Lauren Brooks, who will remain in our heart and minds forever.
We would also like to invite to the podium the advisory board members who were able to join us today: the talented director and producer, Mary Shanahan; well- known editor and, successful fundraiser in her own right, Jennifer Weis Monsky; dedicated physician Dr. Seth Miller; Director of Health for the Greenwich Dept. of Health, Caroline Baisley; Vicky Kyriakos, preferred dentist of TFL board members, and Brian Scanlan, whose vision is truly inspirational. And even though he is not here, we would also like to mention our legal advisor Phil Marella, who has played an integral role in the establishment of this Center.
This is one hard working, industrious team...Please give all of them a round of applause.
We would also like to thank our friends in the audience who have supported our journey and who have helped us reach this momentous day. Thank you Linda Huston and her committee; Yolande Casey and the New Canaan team; Mountain Climbing Kenneth Bacco; and Emily Voss and the Rye team. We would also like to acknowledge our doctors and advocates in the audience today, especially those who have traveled great distances. Your commitment and support of our efforts has truly made a difference and as this effort continues to grow nationally, so will your involvement.
Five years ago, our vision brought an important and successful collaboration between TFL and the Lyme Disease Association, with which we are affiliated. We approached the one woman we knew who could help us make a difference, and she did. With the strong leadership of Pat Smith and her steadfast team of LDA board members, we approached Columbia University about creating a center where targeted research could take place for the study of better diagnostics and treatment modalities for chronic Lyme disease. Pat has been incredibly supportive of our vision, and we would like to take this opportunity to thank her for all of her immeasurable contributions to fighting tick-borne illness.
Today marks a new beginning for everyone who has, or will suffer, the effects of tick-borne disease. Today, Columbia University Medical Center has officially accepted the challenge to end the suffering caused by these insidious diseases. Today, the Center endowment has been achieved and granted, allowing the Center to operate with the full support of Columbia University Medical Center. The enormous commitment that Columbia has undertaken opens an important new chapter for all of us, and means that we can fast track research with academic and financial collaboration. This is revolutionary, and what is necessary to change the face of this disease, now and for years to come. We applaud Columbia for its vision, and we are indebted and eternally grateful to the Columbia Team, especially former Dean Gerald Fischbach, Dean Lee Goldman, Dr. Jeffrey Lieberman, and of course, Dr. Brian Fallon and his dedicated and talented group of researchers and doctors.
Finally, we at TFL are both humbled and extraordinarily grateful to all of our financial contributors and benefactors for their steadfast support, and for understanding the importance of the Columbia Lyme Disease Research Center. As we enter this new and positive phase, we are all united in our next step. The future is promising and filled with hope thanks to all of you.
There are too many to acknowledge individually, but we would not be standing here today if it weren't for their incredible generosity. Thank you. |
