The second annual Fly-In, hosted by Center for Lyme Action, was held on Wednesday, Feb. 24, entirely via Zoom. Advocates from around the country attended more than 200 meetings with senators, members of Congress, and their staff. Many staffers commented positively on the day and highlighted how it allowed constituents to access a platform in which they could voice their stories and communicate to their representatives.

At the event, this year’s Lyme Innovation Awards were presented by Linda Giampa, executive director of Bay Area Lyme Foundation and advisory board member Center for Lyme Action. These awards were given to dedicated public servants and private citizens who have worked to advance collaboration and innovation in Lyme disease. The winners were:

• Paula Jackson-Jones, president and co-founder, Midcoast Lyme Disease Support and Education
• Dr. Maliha R. Ilias, Lyme program officer, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases
• Dr. Susanna Visser, Associate Director for Policy and Extramural Programs, Division of Vector-Borne Diseases, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

Jackson-Jones, on receiving this recognition, said "I'm honored to have received such a distinguished award for my steadfast commitment to inspire others to work on solving the Lyme problem, my effective work with U.S. Senator Susan Collins to create new laws like the Kay Hagen TICK Act and my local leadership that has blossomed into a national network. Building bridges, having difficult conversations, standing tall in the face of adversity and publicly sharing my personal journey has allowed me the opportunities to make a difference in the lives of those afflicted by Lyme and tick-borne disease as well as forging relationships with those in state and federal agencies. It's an honor to share this award with such prestigious company. It's a real pleasure to work with change makers!"

What's next for Jackson-Jones? She was recently appointed to the FY21 Department of Defense's CDMRP Tick-borne Disease Research Program.

The Congressionally Directed Medical Research Programs (CDMRP) originated in 1992 via a Congressional appropriation to foster novel approaches to biomedical research in response to the expressed needs of its stakeholders-the American public, the military, and Congress.

Hallmarks of the CDMRP include:

• investing in groundbreaking research
• targeting critical gaps
• reviewing application using a two-tier formal review with no standing peer review panels and no "pay line"
• involving consumer advocates throughout the program cycle
• supporting both the next generation of researchers and established scientists.
• funding the full pipeline of research development, including basic, translational, and clinical research.
• fostering (or employing) collaboration and synergy

The CDMRP fills research gaps by funding high impact, high risk and high gain projects that other agencies may not venture to fund. While individual programs are unique in their focus, all of the programs managed by the CDMRP share the common goal of advancing paradigm shifting research, solutions that will lead to cures or improvements in patient care, or breakthrough technologies and resources for clinical benefit. The CDMRP strives to transform healthcare for Service Members and the American public through innovative and impactful research.

The Tick-Borne Disease Research Program (TBDRP) was established in fiscal year 2016 (FY16) to support innovative and impactful research that addresses these fundamental issues and gaps in tick-borne diseases. Hallmarks of TBDRP funding include the involvement of Lyme and tick-borne disease advocates in our two-tier review process, as well as the mission of addressing tick-borne diseases as a threat to military forces and their dependents.

As always, Jackson-Jones' primary focus is on local awareness and helping those afflicted by Lyme and tick-borne disease. "With warmer temps, ticks are becoming more and more active which keeps me very busy with phone calls and emails, raising awareness and helping people get connected to much needed resources."

For more information, visit www.mldse.org