About Us

2024-LymeLight-Foundation-Team

Mission Statement

Our mission is to provide grants to enable eligible children and young adults with Lyme disease to receive proper treatment and medication as well as raising awareness about Lyme disease.

LymeLight Foundation was started by two families who have children diagnosed with Lyme disease. Through their children’s struggle, both families discovered the incredible expense of battling Lyme disease and the inability of many families to afford proper treatment. Unfortunately, most treatment plans for Chronic Lyme are not covered by insurance. Existing Lyme foundations mainly focus on funding research and awareness. LymeLight Foundation is uniquely dedicated to funding medical treatment for individuals with Lyme.

The Foundation awards grants to eligible children and young adults through 25 years of age. It is the goal and the hope of the Foundation that through these grants children can receive proper treatment and medications in their fight against Lyme disease.

The LymeLight Foundation is recognized by both the IRS and State of California Franchise Tax Board as a tax-exempt 501 (c) 3 organization. Contributions to the LymeLight Foundation are tax-deductible as allowed by law.

BOARD

Scott Bedford

Scott Bedford

Co-Founder and Chairman of the Board

Scott Bedford, Co-Founder of LymeLight Foundation, is currently serving as Chairman of the Board. He is the Founder and President of Peninsula Capital Management where he has spent 25+ years managing money for institutional clients, endowments and individuals. He is currently running his own family office.  He has served on various for profit boards and nonprofit boards including Common Sense Management, The Fuller Foundation and the Saint Matthews Episcopal Day School.

Scott Forsgren

Scott Forsgren

Board of Directors Member

Scott Forsgren joined LymeLight Foundation in 2013 and serves on the Board of Directors.  Affected by Lyme disease starting in 1997, Scott was not officially diagnosed until 2005.  Having explored various options for recovering his health for over twenty years, Scott brings a unique perspective to the organization.  He is a blogger, podcaster, health writer, advocate, facilitator and coach, and is the editor and founder of a web site that focuses on his recovery and journey through Lyme disease. He frequently speaks at conferences and on a number of online events on the topic of Lyme disease and health optimization.

Nora Thomas

Nora Thomas

Board of Directors Member

Nora Thomas joined LymeLight Foundation in 2016 as a Program Manager and began serving on the Board of Directors in 2018. Nora brings her 20-years of experience in Information Technology, with companies including Intel, HP, and Apple, toward this personally meaningful mission after recovering from a debilitating battle with Lyme disease. Nora’s background has been instrumental in advancing the grants management program, fundraising and operations.

TEAM MEMBERS

Phyllis Bedford

Phyllis Bedford

Co-Founder and Executive Director

Phyllis Bedford, Co-Founder of LymeLight Foundation, is currently serving as Executive Director. Previously she served as Development Director. Phyllis has spent the last decade in nonprofit work. She initiated and created a fundraising walkathon for Today’s Youth Matter, generating over $100,000 annually. Phyllis was a research analyst for McCullough Andrews and Capiello, on the portfolio management team at Rosenberg Capital Management and a financial analyst at Crocker National Bank.
Lynn Currie

Lynn Currie

Foundation Coordinator

Lynn Currie joyously joined the LymeLight team as Foundation Coordinator in 2021. Lynn has a bold heart for helping others. For the past 25+ years, she has passionately developed, coordinated and managed community programs supporting children, young adults and their families. Lynn worked as an Event Marketing Manager for Apple Computer, as well as, a Catering and Conventions Manager for Hyatt Corporation, and is thrilled to share her organizational and event planning skills with LymeLight.

Kate Nagel

Kate Nagel

Grants Coordinator

Kate Nagel joined the Lymelight Foundation as Grants Coordinator in 2018. After four years of medical school, where she held multiple elected positions at school, national and international levels, a chronic illness caused her to change course to provide excellent patient care. Kate has worked for various Bay Area health care organizations, including Sutter Health and Stanford Health Care, and has experience in running grassroots campaigns, community work, event planning and grant writing. When the opportunity at the Lyme Foundation arose, Kate knew this position would enable her to work compassionately with families struggling with Lyme disease.

Amanda Petruzzella

Amanda Petruzzella

Business Analyst & Donor Development

Amanda Petruzzella enthusiastically joined the LymeLight Foundation team in 2022. She brings a well-rounded skill set from a variety of industries ranging from healthcare (Banner Health) to real estate (Abigail Properties LLC) as well as the Christian non-profit world (Leadership Catalyst/TrueFace). Her data analytic abilities developed over the years is an invaluable tool to apply strategic and informed decisions for the growth of our mission. Her ability to not only be data driven but integrate the impact of individuals personal experiences gives her a unique outlook in developing and implementing project plans. Amanda has a relentless passion for helping others and a compassionate heart for walking alongside those in need.

Katie Tessier

Katie Tessier

Marketing Communications

Katie Tessier has her M.A. in Professional Communication and has various experience with Marketing for both non-profit organizations and corporations. She has experience in corporate communication, research, social media, and teaching communication to undergraduate students in Wisconsin and California. Katie grew up having a close friend who suffered from Lyme, so being able to help others in their fight with Lyme disease and pursuit in health is close to her heart.

Financial Accountability

At LymeLight Foundation, we value the generous donations entrusted to our care to accomplish our mission and we take great pride in managing these financial resources responsibly.

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