Celebrity Golf and Pickleball Classic Raises $315,000 for Lyme Research

The event featured a blend of high-stakes competition and advocacy, with former MLB players including Josh Booty and Jim Leyritz participating alongside supporters. Event chair Charles Balducci, who emphasized the personal nature of the mission, led the proceedings, which culminated in a Champions Award Dinner. The dinner honored Dylan Dinolfo with the Spirit of GLA Award, recognizing his transition from a patient diagnosed with Lyme, Bartonella, and Babesia to an active advocate for the organization’s 'Next Gen' Junior Board.

Beyond the athletic competition, which included a burgeoning pickleball bracket, attendees bid on high-profile experiences ranging from Super Bowl tickets to exclusive professional sports packages. These contributions, bolstered by a coalition of sponsors including the Robert and Nancy DelGenio Family Foundation and Tradewind Aviation, provide the capital necessary for the Global Lyme Alliance to pursue its scientific objectives. CEO Jennifer Katritos and CSO Armin Alaedini noted that these funds are essential for improving diagnostic speed and expanding the resources available to families navigating tick-borne diseases.