Peggy Lillis Foundation to Host 16th Annual "Changing the Odds Gala" to Raise critical Funds for C. Difficile Advocacy

BROOKLYN, NY (August 27, 2025) - The Peggy Lillis Foundation (PLF), the leading national nonprofit dedicated to combating Clostridioides difficile (C. diff) infections, will host its 16th Annual Changing the Odds Gala on Friday, September 26, 2025, at 26 Bridge in Brooklyn, NY. The signature fundraising event brings together patients, families, clinicians, researchers, and industry leaders to raise critical dollars for education, advocacy, and policy initiatives aimed at reducing the devastating impact of C. diff—a bacterial infection that sickens nearly half a million Americans and claims almost 30,000 lives each year.

“While the last few years have seen progress in the treatment of C. diff, the disease continues to devastate hundreds of thousands of families each year,” said Christian John Lillis, Co-Founder and CEO of PLF. “At a time when our public health infrastructure is being dismantled, our gala not only fuels our mission but also honors those fighting to preserve public health and create meaningful change for patients.”

This year’s gala will feature a cocktail reception, full dinner, casino games, raffles and dancing. The evening will also shine a spotlight on those making extraordinary contributions in the fight against C. diff with the presentation of the Foundation’s three annual awards.

C. diff survivor, Minnie Hatch and her husband, Spencer are being honored with this year’s Advocate Award. Minnie was first diagnosed with C. diff in 2015 and experienced several recurrences until receiving her third fecal microbiota transplant, or FMT, in 2021. Minnie became an advocate with PLF in 2017 and the Hatch family has played an active role in raising awareness and pushing for expanded treatment access.

“We are so honored to be receiving this award,” expressed Minnie and Spencer. “Our lives have been forever changed in the best ways by The Peggy Lillis Foundation, and we are grateful for the opportunities we have been provided to contribute to raising awareness for other patients and caregivers like us.”

The Leadership Award will be presented to Dr. Stacy Kahn. Dr. Khan is a nationally recognized leader in the field of FMT. She is the director of the Fecal Microbiota Transplantation and Therapeutics Program at Boston Children’s Hospital. She performed the first colonoscopic FMT in a pediatric patient and continues to expand care for young C. diff patients through research and clinical innovation.

Dr. Jennie Kwon will receive this year’s Innovator Award. Dr. Kwon is a leading expert and researcher in antimicrobial resistance and infection prevention. She serves as the Section Director for Healthcare Epidemiology & Antimicrobial Stewardship, the Medical Director of Infection Prevention, and Senior Epidemiologist at Washington University in St. Louis.

“It is a deep honor to receive this award from the Peggy Lillis Foundation,” said Dr. Kwon. “This recognition from an organization so committed to combating C. difficile is incredibly meaningful. Thank you for supporting research in this area, and for inspiring us all to pursue a healthier future.”

For tickets and more information about this year’s gala, visit https://cdiff.org/event/changing-the-odds-2025/.

About Peggy Lillis Foundation for C. diff Education & Advocacy

Founded in memory of Peggy Lillis, a beloved kindergarten teacher who passed away in 2010 due to a C. diff infection, the Peggy Lillis Foundation is the leading national organization dedicated to combating C. difficile infections through education, advocacy, and policy reform. The Foundation strives to create a world where C. diff infections are rare, treatable, and survivable. For more information, visit https://cdiff.org/.