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Greenwich's Lyme Research Alliance Merger Puts It On National Map

STAMFORD, Conn. – The Stamford-based Lyme Research Alliance is merging with the Tick-Borne Disease Alliance, based in New York, to form the nation’s largest tick-borne disease organization in the United States.

Professional basketball player Elena Della Donne, center, joins (from left) Debbie Siciliano, Julia Knox Comeau, Diane Blanchard and Bryanna Kallman, leaders with the Lyme Research Alliance, at its fundraising gala last month.

Professional basketball player Elena Della Donne, center, joins (from left) Debbie Siciliano, Julia Knox Comeau, Diane Blanchard and Bryanna Kallman, leaders with the Lyme Research Alliance, at its fundraising gala last month.

Photo Credit: Contributed

The merger, which was announced in spring, will maintain awareness programs while allowing for more resources to be used in treatment of Lyme disease.

The group will be renamed once the merger, which is pending regulatory approval, is complete.

“Our mutual overarching goal is what moved us forward to consolidate our groups,” said Diane Blanchard, co-founder and co-president of Lyme Research Alliance, which was founded by Greenwich residents. “The merger strategically positions us to lead our joint mission to develop improved, accurate, accessible diagnostics and treatment therapies, as well as continue to raise awareness of tick-borne diseases in communities.”

David Roth, co-chairman of TBDA and a managing director of the private equity firm Blackstone Group LP said, “The Merger of LRA and TBDA marks the next logical step to helping people learn about this insidious, complicated disease. The merger presents a new level of cooperation in fundraising, and will provide a platform for a strengthened, unified and collaborative voice to advance the fight to end Lyme disease forever.”

The merger combines the innovation and expertise of each group, using the large group of medical experts, physicians, researchers and medical institutions to fight Lyme disease. 

More than 300,000 Americans are infected with Lyme disease every year, 10 times more than previously reported by the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

The original founders of both organizations will continue to play an active role in the combined entity. The merger will result in a charitable organization with over 25 years of combined experience, a leading nonprofit organization for public, medical and government education and the funding of cutting-edge research for the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of Lyme and other tick-borne diseases. 

For more information about LRA, TBDA and the merger, visit www.LymeResearchAlliance.org and www.TBDAlliance.org.

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