2026 Virtual Advocacy Day

Registration is now open for the Center for Lyme Action 2026 Virtual Advocacy Day on February 18, 2026! Thank you to all advocates for your efforts to grow federal funding for Lyme and tickborne diseases! Our collective efforts have grown federal funding by more than $500M. Register today and join us to work on FY27 appropriations. 

This event is for US citizens only. All training sessions and meetings will be held via Zoom. Please see the new event and training schedule below. 

Not sure if you want to participate? Check out the recording from our Virtual Advocacy Day Info Session here to learn more. View the Info Session recording here. Passcode: ^EV9RL$o

EVENT SCHEDULE

Welcome Session (Recorded):
This year, our welcome session—featuring remarks from Center for Lyme Action and members of Congress—will be provided as a recorded video, so you can watch it at your convenience in the days leading up to Advocacy Day.

Meetings with Congress: February 18, 2026 (full day) – You will have a minimum of 3 virtual meetings, each spanning about 15-30 minutes with your US Senators and Representative’s offices. Scheduling with Congressional offices can be subject to change, so we recommend that you make yourself available for this entire day. Anticipate that you may have flexibility throughout the day between these virtual meetings to tend to your personal activities and responsibilities.

TRAINING SCHEDULE  

Attendance is required for one training session + your state team prep call.  Additional training sessions are offered, but optional. For the required training, you can choose between one Virtual Advocacy Day 101 or one Fast Track Training Session. 

Advocacy Day 101 Training Session:

Recommended for new advocates or anyone needing additional support.  Duration: 1.5 hours.

• • Tuesday, February 10 @ 6 PM ET
  • Wednesday, February 11 @ 6 PM ET

Advocacy Day Fast Track Training Session:

Recommended for experienced advocates. Duration: 1 hour.

• Tuesday, February 10 @ 8 PM ET
• Wednesday, February 11 @ 12 PM ET
• Thursday, February 12 @ 6 PM ET

State Team Prep Call

Date/Time TBD: Your State Team will hold a prep call between February 9–17. This is the opportunity to meet advocates you’ll be joining meetings with and solidify meeting role plans. Be on the lookout for more information soon!

OPTIONAL TRAININGS 

Storytelling Workshop hosted by Generation Lyme:

Opportunity to craft and refine a concise yet impactful personal story to share with Congressional staff. Highly recommended for advocates in the storyteller role. Limited spots available, please register only if you have not attended this in the past.

Duration: 1 hour. 

• Monday, February 9 @6:00 PM ET 
• Monday, February 9 @ 8:00 PM ET

Ask Maker Workshop:

Highly recommended for advocates who are new to the Ask Maker Role. You will have the opportunity to practice making the requests to Congress in small groups.

Duration: 1 hour.

• Wednesday, February 11 @  8 PM ET

Advocacy Day Q&A Session

Recommended for anyone needing additional support following their training sessions. 

Duration: 1 hour.

• Thursday, February 12 @ 7 PM ET

NEXT STEPS

Register to join the 2026 Virtual Advocacy Day here!

Please note: once your registration is confirmed, you’ll receive additional information from our team on how to register for training sessions.