Upcoming C diff Summit Features Discussions on Access to Therapeutics, Prevention

Earlier this week, the Peggy Lillis Foundation (PLF) released its agenda for its 11th Annual National C diff Summit and Lobby Day, which is set to take place April 13–14, in Washington, DC.

“In terms of this year's summit, if there was a theme, I would say it was the real world impacts of the progress and the setbacks that we've seen over the past 3 or 3 years,” said Christian John Lillis, co-founder and CEO of the Peggy Lillis Foundation.

In terms of the progress, he says the newer therapies being FDA-approved are important achievements and in terms of setbacks, he says access to therapies and prevention of infection, are both proliferating recurrent C diff.

“A lot of this comes down to coverage issues. If a drug isn't approved for a population, the insurers can say, well, we're not going to cover it. And yet, our health insurance industry earned $1.7 trillion last year,” Lillis said. “And one of the biggest hurdles we're seeing is patients have C diff, and these drugs would benefit them, but the coverage is being denied. And to me, that's obscene.”

The Summit will take place on the first day, and has a number of speakers presenting on the biggest issues in C diff.

“We have Dr Michael Woodworth from Emory University, and he's going to present on access to these newer therapies as it stands now. In 2026, we have a presentation on rural disparities and C diff treatments and outcomes, which I think will be very interesting. Bobby Warren from Duke University will be presenting on how the current seat of prevention efforts miss about half of the problem and half of the infections,” Lillis said.

Lillis will be moderating a panel discussion featuring Stacy Kahn, MD, and 2 mothers, Blanca Morales and Rose Henderson, whose children battled C diff for several months.

The event brings together various stakeholders including clinicians, researchers, patients, caregivers, and industry to discuss this significant topic and looks for ways to bring about awareness and change. It also a way to strengthen the community the foundation has built.

“We see the Peggy Lillis Foundation as being the tip of the spear for C diff education and advocacy, and as the circumstances for C diff patients change, so does our work. So, we bring together C diff survivors and caregivers to build community and solidarity,” Lillis said.

In our continuing conversation with Lillis, we will discuss the organization’s Lobby Day which happens the day after the Summit. Check back for that tomorrow.