Registration for this year’s event is closed. Stay tuned for future ways to advocate for Lyme funding.

In February 2020, advocates from throughout the US took part in the Center for Lyme Action’s first “fly-in” to Washington DC, to lobby for increased federal funding for Lyme disease.

I was pleased and proud to participate. (And to get my cool CLA “identifier” neck scarf, shown in the accompanying photo.)

Additional personal note: that trip was the last time I’ve taken an airplane, gathered indoors with a group, or greeted anyone with a handshake, due to the pandemic shutdown that followed a few weeks later. It seems like much longer ago…

However, despite all the crazy stuff that happened in 2020, those February lobbying efforts (and follow-up actions), paid off. The measures we asked for—historic increases in Lyme disease funding—were included in the Fiscal Year 2021 Omnibus Appropriations bill. That measure was passed by Congress and signed into law in December 2020.

But the job isn’t over.

Now, CLA co-founder Bonnie Crater has announced another lobby day on February 24. Because this time it will a “virtual fly-in,” it will be easier than ever for YOU to participate. You won’t have to leave home.

Video appointments with Congress

Here’s how it works: The Center for Lyme Action will set up a video appointment for you to meet with the Washington offices of your Congressional representatives. (Sometimes, the elected officials themselves will join in the meetings. However, typically, you’ll meet with staff members.)

Don’t worry that you won’t know what to say. The CLA will offer video training to all participants, so you’ll know what we’re asking for and why.

Here’s the time commitment:

Tuesday February 23, 2021
3:00pm ET – 5:00pm ET

Training session

Wednesday February 24, 2021
9:00am – 5:00pm ET

Meetings with congressional offices. All meetings will be scheduled to accommodate time zones. Each attendee will be scheduled an average of three 30-minute meetings.

Tuesday February 16
3:00pm ET – 4:30pm ET / 12:00pm PT – 1:30pm PT
Additional training for the fly-in, talking points for Fiscal Year 2022 appropriations and legislation, online platform logistics overview.

Click here to register for the 2021 virtual Lyme fly-in  (Registration closed.)

Last year, we had about 30 states represented in the fly-in. I think we should be able to get people from ALL states this year, don’t you? I’ve already registered. I hope you’ll join me.

TOUCHED BY LYME is written by Dorothy Kupcha Leland, LymeDisease.org’s Vice-president and Director of Communications. She is co-author of When Your Child Has Lyme Disease: A Parent’s Survival Guide. Contact her at dleland@lymedisease.org.