Christian John Lillis
Peggy’s elder son. Christian has 25 years of experience in fundraising, advocacy, and nonprofit management, including at NYU Langone Medical Center and the National LGBTQ Task Force.
As head of PLF, Christian has led eight national convenings of C. diff Advocates, built a 50-person volunteer Advocates Council, coordinated the first-ever C. diff Lobby Day on Capitol Hill, and produced the first-ever public service announcement on C. diff infections. In 2013, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recognized PLF’s work with its Excellence in Partnership award for domestic advocates and organizations.
Christian has presented to state hospital associations, quality improvement organizations, healthcare systems, and industry leaders, including Mount Sinai Health, National Quality Forum, and the Presidential Advisory Council on Combating Antibiotic Resistant Bacteria. He has also testified at Congressional briefings. Christian’s writing has appeared in the Baltimore Sun, Cleveland Plain Dealer, and the CDC’s Safer Healthcare Blog. He has also co-authored articles for journals, including Advances in Therapy and American Journal of Gastroenterology. PLF’s work has been featured in Consumer Reports, USA Today, and Reuters. Peggy’s story was also featured Dr. Martin Blaser’s 2014 book, Missing Microbes: How the Overuse of Antibiotics Is Fueling Our Modern Plagues.
Christian holds a B.A. in Political Theory from Brooklyn College-City University of New York. A native Brooklynite, he lives in its Kensington neighborhood with his husband, Chris, and their beagle, Maggie Anne.
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More by this Author
2021 C. diff Summit Puts Focus on Patients and Caregivers
Peggy Lillis Foundation for C. diff Education & Advocacy held our 6th Annual National C. diff Advocacy Summit virtually on April 20 and 22. As always, we had an array of knowledgeable and passionate speakers and presenters committed to the fight against C. difficile infections (CDI). As we struggle to overcome the COVID-19 pandemic, the […]
Refusing To Be Intimidated
This is the first in a series of blog posts that are part of a larger memoir project for Peggy’s life and how her values inform the work of Peggy Lillis Foundation. – CJL “I. WILL. NOT. BE. INTIMIDATED. BY. YOU.” My mother’s heart-shaped, Irish face flushed with anger; her waist length, straight brown hair […]
Peggy Lillis Foundation and Ferring Pharmaceuticals Partner to Support Patients with C. difficile Infection
Peggy Lillis Foundation for C. diff Education & Advocacy (PLF), the leading patient organization combating C. difficile infections (CDI), partners with Ferring Pharmaceuticals through a new sponsorship to help fund new and existing patient advocacy initiatives. Joining forces, PLF and Ferring are eager to continue helping people living with CDI and their loved ones. CHRISTIAN […]
“See C. diff” Campaign Beats Goal; Reaching 250,000 Americans!
Peggy Lillis Foundation’s 2020 “See C. diff” campaign was an enormous success, reaching more than 250,000 Americans and generating over half a million impressions. Less than 35% of Americans have heard of C. difficile infections (CDI). The need to raise awareness of this preventable and potentially deadly disease is great. We launched “See C. diff” […]
2020 Virtual Gala was a Smash!
Our 2020 virtual Gala, “C. diff Is A Drag”, was a smashing success! In the face of the COVID-19 pandemic, we couldn’t gather in person as we normally would have. Still, with our amazing emcee, drag superstar Cacophony Daniels and great honorees, more than 1,000 people got to enjoy a great evening. And, while the […]
“See C. diff” Campaign Leads Awareness Month Outreach
Since November 1, Peggy Lillis Foundation’s second annual “See C. diff” campaign has exploded on social media. As of November 18, we have reached more than double the number of people we did in the entire month of November 2019 (180,000 versus 80,000). In terms of impressions (the number of times anyone sees our content) […]
Choosing the best probiotic for C. diff.
Guest Blog by Lynne V. McFarland, PhD Choosing the best probiotic is not an easy task. There are over 250 different types of probiotic products found on the market (grocery stores, pharmacies, on-line websites, etc.), but relatively little guidance on how to choose one probiotic over another. As more research is done, the guidelines of […]
Virtual Summit Connects Idaho Advocate with Antibiotic Developer
Peggy Lillis Foundation’s annual Summit has often created the opportunity for C. diff advocates to connect with clinicians, researchers, and industry representatives. We feared that taking it virtual would hinder those connections. Turns out we needn’t have worried. Among the connections made at this year’s Summit was one between Idaho-based advocate Carol Raye and Michelle […]
COVID-19 & C. difficile Infections
The COVID-19 pandemic has given us a new appreciation for the role of public health. While our public health departments and hospitals continue to manage vaccination and cases resulting from new variants, we also know that those of you battling C. diff infections still need our help. Please know that we are still here for […]
PLF Advocates Join Pew’s Stand Up to Superbugs Fly-in
Last month our executive director and two members of our Advocates Council, Christina Fuhrman and Eric Petrosinelli, joined the Pew Charitable Trusts “Stand Up to Superbugs” fly-in. They joined 37 other Americans from all across the country to meet with the representatives to share their superbug stories and expertise and urge increased action to preserve […]
Watch Now: Understanding the Regulation of Fecal Microbiota Transplants
Fecal microbiota transplant (FMT) as a treatment for C. difficile infections has skyrocketed over the past decade. While it has saved tens of thousands of lives, FMT remains controversial and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has been slow to formalize its regulatory status. This has left doctors, scientists, drug developers and, most importantly patients, […]
FDA Safety Alert Regarding Use of Fecal Microbiota for Transplantation and COVID-19
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued a Safety Alert today Regarding Use of Fecal Microbiota for Transplantation and Additional Safety Protections Pertaining to COVID-19. According to the alert, “FDA is informing health care providers and patients of the potential risk of transmission of SARS-CoV-2 virus by the use of fecal microbiota for transplantation (FMT) and […]
Statement on March 12, 2020 FDA Safety Alert regarding Fecal Microbiota Transplants
On March 12, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued a safety alert that eight patients were infected following fecal microbiota transplants (FMT) using material from a company which was later confirmed to be OpenBiome, an independent stool bank. Two of the patients subsequently died. FDA did not name OpenBiome in its safety alert, similar […]
See C. diff Campaign exceeds 250,000!
In recognition of C. diff Awareness Month, this past November Peggy Lillis Foundation (PLF) launched our new public education campaign, “See C. diff.” The campaign was based from Cdiff.org and included a range of educational media. We are delighted to report that the campaign did incredibly well reaching hundreds of thousands of people across our […]
She Recovered from a C. diff Infection, Then Her Daughter Got It Too”
Advocate Christina Fuhrman and Dr. Bruce Hirsch Featured on Healthline.com
Advocate Meg Mimnaugh: Americans should know about deadly infection
Advocate Med Mimnaugh Featured in Providence Journal
CNN features Peggy’s story in coverage of CDC Threats Report
Peggy Featured in CNN’s Coverage of CDC Threats Report
CBS Evening News features PLF Advocate in CDC Report Coverage
Advocate Maryann Webb Featured on CBS Evening News
Peggy Lillis Foundation Launches “See C. diff” Public Education Campaign
We live among bacteria. And bacteria live on and within us. In fact, we rely on bacteria for aid in digestion, keeping our skin healthy and our metabolism functioning. But certain bacteria or too much of certain bacteria can cause us grievous harm. Our family learned that the hard way, when in April 2010, a […]
FDA Public Hearing on Fecal Transplantation to treat C. diff
Delivered by Christian John Lillis | November 4, 2019 Judy Dexter, aged 70 Donald M, aged 52 Arnie Stone, aged 87 Richard Croke, aged 48 Mary Regina Beerman, aged 85 Edith, aged 92 Josephine, aged 79 Robert H, aged 73 Gail Mimnaugh, aged 64 Joe Tardibuono, aged 51 Peggy Lillis, aged 56 My name is […]
PLF Welcomes Three New Board Members
This summer PLF welcomed three new members to our Board of Directors: Christina Fuhrman, Rich Dexter and Dr. Bruce Hirsch. Christina Fuhrman a stay-at-home mom who lives in Columbia, MO with her husband Dane, son Oren (2), and daughter Pearl (4). She and Pearl are both C. diff survivors. Christina offers local support to those battling […]
Harmful proposals promote bias, not better health care
Harmful Proposals Promote Bias, Not Better Health Care
2019 Summit and Lobby Day Continue Momentum in Fight Against C. diff
On Monday, April 8th Peggy Lillis Foundation convened its fourth annual National C. diff Summit at Gallaudet University in Washington, DC. The Summit welcomed more than 70 participants, including 25 members of PLF’s Advocates Council for a day of learning, discussion and networking. Another 100 people watched the Summit sessions via live stream. Our Summit […]
Slope savior: Park Slope resident heads to D.C. to spread awareness about deadly infection
An interview with our Executive Director
National C. diff Summit and D.C. Lobby Day to Drive Action
On April 8, my organization, Peggy Lillis Foundation (PLF), will host 25 advocates from 14 states at our National C. diff Summit. The following day, we will also lobby on Capitol Hill for much-needed action. These advocates, who include stay-at-home parents, retired federal workers, nurses, and law enforcement members, have all had their lives marred […]
Peggy Lillis Foundation to Convene National Summit In Washington, DC With Leaders In the Fight Against Deadly Superbug
Contact: Christian John Lillis 917-364-4658 christian@cdiff.org FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE March 20, 2019 (Brooklyn, New York). Peggy Lillis Foundation (PLF) announced today it will convene its fourth National C. diff Summit and Lobby Day on Monday, April 8, 2019 at the Kellogg Conference Hotel at Gallaudet University in Washington, DC. The Summit brings together 100 leaders […]
Ninth Annual Fight C. diff Gala
Ninth Annual Fight C. diff Gala On Friday, October 26th, the Peggy Lillis Foundation (PLF) hosted its Ninth Annual FIGHT C. DIFF Gala in Brooklyn, New York. Through the generosity of 175 guests and sponsors, we raised more than $100,000 to support PLF’s mission of building a nationwide movement to fight C. diff infections (CDIs) […]
Guest Blog – Kale Me Kristie
During C. Diff Awareness Month, I’m so thankful to the Peggy Lillis Foundation for their work and the chance to tell you my story with the hope that I might be able to bring renewed energy to your battle against C. Diff. ~ Kristie KaleMeKristie There is irony in healing. For me, healing brought […]