The Tenth Anniversary Gala | An Evening of Purpose
September 14, 2026 | Gotham Hall
Join us for a meaningful evening as we celebrate ten years of hope, progress, and impact in the Lyme disease community. Together, we have built awareness, supported patients and families, funded critical research, and ensured that no one has to navigate Lyme disease alone. As we look ahead to the future, we invite you to celebrate the lives changed, the community built, and the work still to come.
Continue reading below for more information about our honorees, Phyllis & Scott Bedford and Jessica Berman, and our host, Krista Williams.
September 14, 2026 | 6:30 PM | Gotham Hall, 1356 Broadway, New York, NY 10018
Meet the
Honorees
Phyllis & Scott Bedford
Phyllis and Scott Bedford founded the LymeLight Foundation after witnessing firsthand the impact Lyme disease can have on children and young adults. Through compassion, leadership, and an unwavering commitment to equitable care, they have helped provide more than $12 million in grants to 1,639 individuals across all 50 states — giving hope and access to treatment for families who need it most.
Meet the
Honorees
Jessica Berman
For years, Jessica Berman knew something was wrong, but no one could tell her what. As Chief Brand Officer and co-owner of BodyBio, she has spent her career helping people understand their health at the cellular level. But long before that, she was the patient searching for answers herself.
PCOS. Inflammatory bowel disease. Mold illness. Infertility. Symptom after symptom that never fit neatly into one diagnosis, until a comprehensive panel finally revealed the truth: longstanding Lyme disease, likely present since childhood, compounded by a more recent infection.
“Receiving that diagnosis was both validating and overwhelming,” Jessica says. “It explained decades of seemingly disconnected health challenges, but it also reinforced how difficult Lyme disease can be to recognize and diagnose.”
What happened next is why we’re honoring her. Jessica didn’t just heal, she turned her experience into purpose. Through her work and her voice, she’s helping others understand that healing isn’t about chasing a single miracle cure. It’s about rebuilding resilience, and it’s possible.
“There is hope. There are ways to support the body’s ability to heal. And even after years of unanswered questions, it is possible to build resilience and reclaim your life.”
Jessica’s story is a reminder of why this community exists, and why this gala matters.
Meet the
Physician Speaker
Dr. Tania Dempsey
We are thrilled to announce that Dr. Tania Dempsey, MD will be a featured physician speaker at Project Lyme’s 10-Year Anniversary Gala on September 14 in Manhattan.
A nationally recognized expert in complex chronic illness, Dr. Dempsey has dedicated her career to helping patients with Lyme and tick-borne diseases, Mast Cell Activation Syndrome, and the complex comorbidities that so often accompany them. Her commitment to advancing education, awareness, and compassionate care has made her an invaluable voice within our community.
Learn about our featured
Research Initiative
Dr. Michal Tal and the MIT MAESTRO Study
“Your labs look normal.” “Your scans don’t show anything.” “Maybe it’s stress.”
For too many people living with Lyme disease, these words are all too familiar.
As Project Lyme celebrates its 10th Anniversary, we’re proud to introduce our 2026 Featured Research Initiative—the groundbreaking work of Dr. Michal Tal and the Tal Research Group at MIT.
Dr. Tal leads the MAESTRO Study (Measure Absolutely Everything So Tests Can Be Reliable and Objective), an innovative research effort using advanced engineering, artificial intelligence, and more than one million data points per participant to better understand Lyme disease and other infection-associated chronic illnesses.
One exciting area of this research is capillaroscopy, a noninvasive imaging technique that allows researchers to examine the body’s smallest blood vessels. Early findings suggest it may help identify measurable physiological changes associated with chronic Lyme disease—bringing science one step closer to more objective diagnostic tools.
As our Guest Research Speaker at this year’s Gala, Dr. Tal will share how this pioneering work is helping transform the future of Lyme disease research.
We invite you to learn more about the MAESTRO Study and join us on September 14 as we celebrate 10 years of impact—and invest in the next decade of discovery.
Meet the
Host
Krista Williams
Krista Williams is the co-host of the top 50 podcast: Almost 30. She is also an internationally recognized speaker, coach, and best selling author, dedicated to guiding women through life’s biggest transitions.
Planning Your Stay
Hotel Room Blocks
Special group rates are available at two hotels near the venue for Gala weekend (9/13–9/14):
The Archer Hotel New York (45 West 38th Street) — Call (212) 719-4100 or book online, and mention “Project Lyme 2026 Gala.” Rate available until August 13, 2026 or while the block lasts.
Embassy Suites New York Manhattan Times Square (60 West 37th Street) — Call (212) 912-0111 or book online, and mention “Project Lyme 2026 Gala.” Rate available until August 5, 2026 or while the block lasts.
Questions? Email us at events@projectlyme.org.
Questions?
Contact Kayla Goldstein Toth at events@projectlyme.org.