Lyme Disease Leaders Unite at Project Lyme’s Stories That Heal Event
On April 16, 2026, something truly special happened in New York City.
At Project Lyme’s inaugural “Stories That Heal: Author Series,” leaders, patients, caregivers, researchers, and advocates from across the Lyme and tick-borne disease community came together—not just to share stories, but to change the future of this illness together.
What made this night different wasn’t just the incredible panel of authors.
It was the unity.
For perhaps the first time at this level, organizations and voices that have historically worked in parallel came together in one room, aligned in purpose:
Help patients. Advance understanding. Create hope.
The Vision Behind the Event and the Future of Lyme Disease Advocacy
This night does not happen without Ali Moresco.
Ali is the driving force behind bringing people together in a way that feels natural, intentional, and deeply human. Her passion for helping others is genuine, and it shows in everything she touches. She has also been a mentor to Tick Boot Camp since the early days, helping guide and shape the mission in meaningful ways.
Working alongside her is Michelle Cuevas, Executive Director of Project Lyme, whose energy, leadership, and commitment to the Lyme community were felt throughout the entire event. Michelle brings both professionalism and heart, ensuring that every detail serves the larger mission of advancing research, education, and awareness.
Together, they created something that felt bigger than an event—it felt like progress.
Lyme Disease Experts Share Insights on Chronic Illness and Healing
The evening featured a powerful panel discussion moderated by Matt Sabatello and Rich Johannesen (Tick Boot Camp), where four leading voices in Lyme disease explored the realities of chronic illness, diagnosis challenges, treatment approaches, and the path to healing.
- Dr. Richard Horowitz, MD
- Dr. Bill Rawls, MD
- Nicole Bell
- Amy Kurtz
Dr. Horowitz, a leading Lyme Literate Medical Doctor (LLMD), shared insights from his Multiple Systemic Infectious Disease Syndrome (MSIDS) model, explaining how chronic illness is often driven by multiple overlapping factors—not just a single infection.
Dr. Rawls, world-renowned herbalist, brought a different lens, focusing on cellular wellness and how restoring the body’s internal environment is critical for long-term healing.
Nicole Bell, CEO of Galaxy Diagnostics, specializing in Lyme disease and tick-borne illness, spoke to the urgent need for better diagnostics and the reality that many patients are still being missed by current testing methods.
Amy Kurtz, social media influencer, grounded the conversation in the lived experience, reminding everyone what it actually feels like to navigate chronic illness and find a way to build a meaningful life through it.
Together, the panel reflected a powerful truth: healing from Lyme disease is not one path—it is many paths working together.
Leaders Driving Innovation in Lyme Disease Treatment and Research
Beyond the panel discussion, these individuals continue to shape the future of Lyme disease treatment, research, and patient care through their specialized work and leadership.
- Dr. Richard Horowitz – interviews and content
- Dr. Bill Rawls – interviews and content
- Nicole Bell – interviews and content
- Amy Kurtz – interview
Researchers Expanding Understanding of Tick-Borne Disease
Advancing Lyme disease requires deeper scientific understanding, and researchers in attendance are pushing that forward.
- Dr. Geoff Dow – interviews and content
- Monica Cipriani, inspired by watching her mother’s battle, earned a Ph.D. in epidemiology and public health and now leads Lyme disease research for the state of Kentucky
Advocates Driving Lyme Disease Awareness and Change
Advocates continue to be the backbone of this movement, raising awareness and pushing for better care.
- Jennifer Hoffmann – co-founder of Generation Lyme
- Carolann Mazza-Love – Lyme patient advocate whose story reminds us that chronic illness does not just affect the individual—it reshapes entire families
- David Butler – facilitator of Project Lyme’s Men’s Virtual Support Group, creating a space for connection, support, and healing for men navigating Lyme disease
- Ali Moresco and Michelle Cuevas, whose leadership at Project Lyme brought this entire community together
Patients Finding Healing and Purpose Through Lyme Disease
One of the most powerful aspects of the evening was seeing patients who have transformed their journeys into purpose.
- Kristen Harris – post-traumatic growth advocate
- Liza Blas – patient turned advocate and member of Rawls MD and Vital Plan
These individuals represent what is possible when patients are supported, believed, and empowered.
Caregivers Supporting Families Through Chronic Lyme Disease
Lyme disease does not just impact individuals—it impacts entire families.
- Nicole Bell – caregiver and advocate
- Monica Cipriani – part of a family journey shaped by Lyme disease and a powerful example of how caregiving can evolve into lifelong advocacy and research
Caregivers are often the unseen heroes, navigating complex systems while supporting loved ones through uncertainty.
Innovation in Tick Prevention and Lyme Disease Solutions
The future of Lyme disease is not just treatment—it is prevention.
Olivia Abrams is leading that charge with the Tick Mitt, an innovative tool designed to improve how we approach tick checks and prevention.
Her work represents the kind of creative thinking the Lyme community needs.
Voices Amplifying the Message
Storytelling continues to play a critical role in awareness and healing.
- Nicole O’Donnell, author of Resilient Hope (Tick Boot Camp interview launching soon)
- Jasmine Perdomo, spoken-word artist and advocate (Tick Boot Camp interview launching soon)
These voices remind us that healing is not just medical—it is emotional, creative, and communal.
A New Era of Collaboration in the Lyme Disease Community
One of the most meaningful takeaways from the event was the collaboration between leading Lyme organizations.
Project Lyme, Global Lyme Alliance, and Tick Boot Camp coming together signals a new era in Lyme disease advocacy and research.
This level of collaboration is essential to solving chronic Lyme disease.
Why This Lyme Disease Event Matters
Lyme disease is complex. It is often misunderstood. And for many, it can feel isolating.
But this event proved something powerful:
- Patients are being heard
- Innovation is happening
- Collaboration is growing
- Hope is real
At Tick Boot Camp, we believe in validation, community, and the belief that healing is possible.
This night brought all of that to life.
Learn More About Lyme Disease and Chronic Illness
Final Thoughts on Healing from Lyme Disease
Stories matter.
They help us understand Lyme disease.
They help us connect as a community.
And most importantly—they help people believe healing is possible.
This event was more than a gathering.
It was a sign that the future of Lyme disease awareness, treatment, and collaboration is moving in the right direction.
