NEW YORK, NY (November 13, 2024)—The Peggy Lillis Foundation (PLF) for C. diff Education & Advocacy has announced its schedule of events for National C. diff Awareness Month, which takes place every November. This year’s awareness campaign theme is “See C. diff Diagnosed.”
In the past year, PLF has continued to make strides in creating more awareness of C. diff. Among the highlights, PLF helped champion legislation requiring that C. diff infections be added to the list of conditions monitored in the Nationally Notifiable Diseases Surveillance System, a program led by the CDC. The organization also hosted its 9th Annual National C. diff Summit in Washington, D.C. and in the fall, held an educational briefing with lawmakers and infectious disease experts on Capitol Hill.
This year, through its “See C. diff” campaign, PLF aims to reach 30 million people during November.
“We look forward to our 6th Annual ‘See C. diff’ campaign. We’re focusing this year’s efforts on the theme of ‘diagnosis.’ Many C. diff patients struggle to get an initial diagnosis, particularly those who become ill outside of the healthcare setting. We’re excited about all the events and educational opportunities we have planned throughout November,” said PLF CEO, Christian John Lillis.
The campaign will begin with the 2024 Changing the Odds Gala on November 8. The annual event raises critical funds for the work being done to fight the infection and celebrates the progress PLF has made in that fight during the past year. The gala will include a cocktail reception, dinner, casino games, raffles and dancing. Tickets are available at the link provided.
Several awards will be presented at the gala to honor individuals making strides in the fight against the infection. Dr. Denise Cardo, an internationally recognized expert in public health, will receive the Leadership Award. Maryann Webb, a C. diff survivor and member of the PLF Board of Directors, will receive the advocacy award. Dr. Jessica Allegretti, a researcher and professor at Harvard University, will receive the Innovator Award.
On November 15, PLF will host its inaugural Virtual Scientific Symposium. The event will offer a space for discussion on the status of C. diff. Experts in treatment, prevention, and epidemiology will speak on developments in their field related to the infection. Patients and survivors will also share their experiences with C. diff.
“I am delighted that the Peggy Lillis Foundation is continuing this vital educational event for clinicians. The Symposium is an excellent opportunity for healthcare providers to learn the latest on diagnostics, treatment and clinical guidelines for C. difficile. This opportunity is crucial given how underappreciated C. difficile is as a cause of morbidity and mortality,” said Dr. Paul Feuerstadt, a gastroenterologist and member of PLF’s Board of Directors.
On November 20, PLF will present its annual State of C. diff town hall. The virtual event, hosted by Nestle Health Sciences, will feature presentations on the challenges of accurate C. diff diagnosis and an update on the role of standard fecal microbiota transplants in patient care, clinical trials, and patient advocacy.