Tick Boot Camp attended the Lyme Warrior 10th Anniversary Gala on May 9, 2026, at Saybrook Point Resort & Marina in Old Saybrook, Connecticut — a waterfront evening that brought together Lyme patients, advocates, researchers, clinicians, authors, families, and friends for a night of laughter, science, music, and hope.
A Night Built Around Hope, Humor, and Community
Lyme disease events are often heavy because the illness itself is heavy. But Lyme Warrior designed this evening differently. Instead of a traditional formal gala filled with long speeches and dense slide decks, the night centered on connection, laughter, and celebration.
The message was clear: this community has fought hard, endured deeply, and earned a night to celebrate progress together.
Watch the Lyme Warrior 10th Anniversary Gala Replay
The livestream was available to the public and is now available to watch on YouTube.
Honoring Lyme Warrior Founder Lauren Lovejoy
The evening opened with heartfelt remarks from Sharon Ibanez, who helped lead the event on behalf of Lyme Warrior Founder and CEO Lauren Lovejoy. Sharon shared Lauren’s story and honored the mission that launched Lyme Warrior.
Lyme Warrior began after Lauren’s own experience of being dismissed, disbelieved, and forced to search for answers while battling Lyme disease. What began as a grassroots effort printing awareness shirts grew into a national Lyme disease support and advocacy organization known for patient care programs, community-building, awareness campaigns, and hope-centered outreach.
Although Lauren was not able to attend in person, her presence was felt throughout the room. The night served as a tribute to her vision: making sure Lyme patients and families never feel alone.
Dr. Myriah Hinchey Delivers a Powerful Keynote
Dr. Myriah Hinchey, founder of LymeBytes! Symposium and a respected naturopathic physician in the Lyme community, delivered the keynote address.
Her remarks reflected on how far the Lyme disease field has come over the past decade — from widespread dismissal of chronic symptoms to more sophisticated conversations about persistent infection, immune dysfunction, neuroinflammation, mitochondrial impairment, toxic burden, gut dysfunction, and personalized medicine.
Key themes from Dr. Hinchey’s keynote included:
- Patients with Lyme and tick-borne illness are finally being heard more than they were 10 years ago.
- Chronic illness is rarely one-dimensional and requires a whole-person approach.
- Vector-borne disease should become part of every physician’s differential diagnosis.
- Better diagnostics, better physician education, and broader access to care remain urgent priorities.
- Healing is possible when patients receive validation, individualized care, and support.
Her message aligned deeply with Tick Boot Camp’s mission: Lyme patients deserve validation, community, and the belief that healing is possible.
Three Leading Lyme Voices Take the Stage
The evening featured three prominent voices in Lyme disease research, diagnostics, and advocacy: Dr. Eva Sapi, Dr. Monica Embers, and Nicole Bell.
Dr. Eva Sapi: Biofilms, Borrelia, and the Next Frontier of Research
Dr. Eva Sapi spoke about her pioneering research into Borrelia biofilms and the complexity of Lyme disease persistence.
She shared the story of how her Lyme disease research began after originally training as a cancer researcher. Her work helped push forward the conversation around Borrelia’s ability to form resistant structures and survive under difficult conditions.
Dr. Eva Sapi attended the event alongside her daughter, Michela Melillo, and her husband, Tony Sapi.
Dr. Monica Embers: Persistence, Diagnostics, Perinatal Lyme, and Bartonella
Dr. Monica Embers discussed her work studying persistent Lyme infection, treatment challenges, diagnostics, perinatal Lyme disease, and Bartonella.
Her comments offered hope that the science is continuing to move toward better answers for patients who remain chronically ill after standard treatment.
Nicole Bell: From Caregiver to Diagnostics Advocate
Nicole Bell, author and advocate, shared her personal story of losing her husband after a devastating journey involving Lyme disease, Bartonella, Babesia, and a diagnosis of early-onset Alzheimer’s disease.
She also discussed her work with Galaxy Diagnostics and the urgent need to move stronger diagnostic technologies from research settings into mainstream clinical access.
The Lyme Game Show: Science Meets Laughter
One of the most memorable parts of the evening was “The Lyme Game Show,” hosted by Dr. Richard Horowitz.
Instead of a traditional research panel, Dr. Horowitz led Dr. Eva Sapi, Dr. Monica Embers, and Nicole Bell through a series of playful Lyme-themed challenges. The format was intentionally lighthearted, giving the community a rare chance to laugh together while still honoring the seriousness of the illness.
Dr. Richard Horowitz attended the event alongside his wife, Lee Horowitz.
Game show highlights included:
- Spirochete Scramble: contestants searched through gummy worms for hidden “spirochetes.”
- Tick Tick Boom: researchers threw darts at tick-themed balloons.
- Lyme Minds Think Alike: audience teams worked blindfolded to spell Lyme-themed words.
- Flare-Up Frenzy: contestants caught stress balls tossed by the audience.
- Wrong Answers Only: audience members submitted humorous responses to familiar Lyme frustrations.
Nicole Bell emerged as the game show champion, but the real winner was the community — which got to experience joy, humor, and togetherness in a space where everyone understood the deeper meaning behind the laughter.
Jesse Ruben Closes the Night With Music and Meaning
Singer-songwriter and Lyme advocate Jesse Ruben closed the evening with a moving live performance.
Jesse spoke openly about losing years of his life to Lyme disease, the isolation of chronic illness, and the importance of community. He also shared the work of Generation Lyme, which provides online support groups for people impacted by Lyme disease.
Jesse performed songs including:
- “This Is Why I Need You” — a song about the people who help us survive hard seasons.
- “Trying My Best” — a reminder that people are not broken and do not need to be fixed.
- “Monster” — a deeply personal song about his experience as a Lyme patient being told nothing was wrong.
His closing message was one every Lyme patient deserves to hear: you are not alone, you are not crazy, and people are working to help.
Tick Boot Camp Was Proud to Attend
Tick Boot Camp attended the event to support Lyme Warrior, honor the Lyme community, and connect with many of the patients, clinicians, authors, advocates, and researchers helping move this movement forward.
As a Lyme disease awareness and advocacy platform, Tick Boot Camp exists to validate patient experiences, build community, educate the public, and model the belief that healing is possible. Events like this remind us why that work matters.
Explore more Lyme disease stories, doctor interviews, and research conversations on the Tick Boot Camp Podcast, including our featured collections with Lyme-literate doctors and researchers.
Notable Attendees and Community Members
The room was filled with advocates, clinicians, authors, nonprofit leaders, patients, families, and supporters who continue to shape the Lyme disease conversation.
Authors, Artists, Advocates, and Community Leaders
- Nicole O’Donnell, author of Resilient Hope: A Memoir of Life With Chronic Illness
- Jasmin Perdomo, author of Bittersweet Body, a poetic memoir about her Lyme disease experience
- Kirstie Haysman, Ms Great Britain 2026, who flew in from England
- Hannah Green, Lyme advocate, who also flew in from England
- Jessica Snajder, Lyme advocate and Tick Boot Camp guest
- Halley Terrell, Lyme-literate therapist
- Jamie Martinez, involved with Lyme Warrior’s 5K
- Lisa-Jae Eggert, founder and CEO of 3 Moms Organics, maker of TickWise
Doctors, Clinicians, and Medical Leaders
- Dr. Somer DelSignore, pediatric Lyme, autism, PANS/PANDAS, and root-cause healing practitioner
- Dr. Myriah Hinchey, naturopathic physician and founder of LymeBytes! Symposium
- Dr. Marisa Houser, naturopathic doctor
- Dr. Lindsey Wells, naturopathic doctor
- Dr. Jennifer Letitia, Lyme-literate therapist
- Medical Academy of Pediatric & Special Needs (MAPS)
Northeast Lyme and Associated Diseases Resource Foundation (NELAD)
Representatives from the NELAD also attended the Lyme Warrior 10th Anniversary Gala in support of Lyme disease education, advocacy, research, and community awareness efforts.
- Mary Dibara, PhD, NELAD President
- Darlene Dibara-O’Conner, NELAD Executive Director
- Sheila Statlender, PhD, NELAD Board of Directors
- Melinda Bergeron, NELAD Board Member
- Andrew Bergeron, NELAD Board Member
Event Sponsors
The evening was made possible through the support of sponsors committed to Lyme disease awareness, education, prevention, research, and patient support.
- LymeBytes! Symposium
- Dr. Myriah Hinchey, Naturopathic Physician
- IGeneX
- Woodland Essence
- Sawyer
- Tick Killz
- Bay Area Lyme Foundation
- Ravel
Why This Night Mattered
The Lyme Warrior 10th Anniversary Gala was more than a celebration. It was a reminder of what this community has survived and what it continues to build.
Patients who were once isolated are finding community. Researchers are asking better questions. Clinicians are recognizing complexity. Advocates are refusing to let Lyme disease remain misunderstood. Families are showing up for one another. And organizations like Lyme Warrior continue to create spaces where people feel seen, heard, and supported.
The night honored:
- Ten years of Lyme Warrior advocacy
- The patients and families still fighting for answers
- The researchers working to advance diagnostics and treatment
- The clinicians who listen deeply and treat complex illness seriously
- The advocates turning pain into purpose
- The hope that healing is possible
Continue Learning With Tick Boot Camp
If you or someone you love is navigating Lyme disease or tick-borne illness, you are not alone. Tick Boot Camp offers patient stories, doctor interviews, researcher conversations, prevention education, and community-centered resources to help people feel validated and empowered.
