NEW YORK, Oct. 7, 2026 -- On Monday evening, Emmy-nominated actor and Global Lyme Alliance Celebrity Ambassador Christopher Meloni and Shark Tank star Lori Greiner joined leaders from entertainment, media, business, medicine, research and philanthropy at The Metropolitan Club in New York City for the 2026 Global Lyme Alliance Gala. The annual event supported Global Lyme Alliance’s
Other guests included Margaret Josephs, star of E!’s upcoming series The Golden Life, and Real Housewives of New York City star Erin Lichy. Honorary Chairwoman and Good Day New York co-host Rosanna Scotto joined supporters for an evening centered on the patients, families, researchers and advocates affected by tick-borne disease.
The program recognized three honorees whose work has had a meaningful impact on the Lyme disease community. Dr. Brian A. Fallon of Columbia University received the Global Lyme Alliance Lifetime Achievement Award, presented by Dr. Armin Alaedini, GLA’s Chief Scientific Officer. Lori Greiner presented the Community Impact Award to Kelley Higney, founder and CEO of Bug Bite Thing. Brett Kristoff, Co-Chair of the Global Lyme Alliance Board, and Mark Kristoff, CEO of Traxys, received the
The evening also featured personal patient stories from Dylan Dinolfo and Kurt Borowsky, along with musical performances by Billy Stritch and Christina Maxwell. Stritch opened the program with “The Best Is Yet to Come,” while Maxwell performed Dolly Parton’s “Light of a Clear Blue Morning.”
The Metropolitan Club was transformed for the evening with event design by Larry Scott.
Following dinner, auctioneer Jason Lamoreaux led a live auction featuring a VIP set visit and private meet-and-greet with Christopher Meloni in Los Angeles, along with two tickets to a live taping of Shark Tank, courtesy of Lori Greiner, paired with a two-night stay at the Loews Atlanta Hotel. Proceeds from the evening will support Global Lyme Alliance’s research initiatives and programs serving patients and families.
Through ticket sales, sponsorships, the live auction and contributions made throughout the evening, the 2026 Global Lyme Alliance Gala raised $1.4 million in support of Lyme and tick-borne disease research, education, awareness and patient programs.
The program concluded with a dessert reception, bringing together honorees, performers, supporters and members of the Lyme disease community.
Global Lyme Alliance (GLA) is the leading nonprofit dedicated to conquering Lyme and other tick-borne diseases through innovative research, awareness, and empowering the patient voice. Since its founding, GLA has invested more than $27 million in groundbreaking research while providing trusted education, patient support, and physician resources that improve the lives of individuals and families worldwide. By bringing together leading scientists, clinicians, advocates, and philanthropists, GLA is accelerating scientific discovery and advancing a future free from Lyme and other tick-borne diseases.
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