Help fight tick-borne diseases on Martha’s Vineyard

Martha’s Vineyard is facing a surge in tick-borne illnesses — from Lyme and babesiosis to the emerging Alpha-Gal Syndrome (AGS), a tick-triggered allergy that can make people allergic to red meat, dairy, and even some medicines.

Lea Hamner, MPH, is the only epidemiologist studying tick-borne diseases on Martha’s Vineyard. She is part of a two-person team that makes up the Martha's Vineyard Tick Program, a state leader in community-based tick research, education, and outreach that saves lives.

But the funding for this research runs out this fall due to cuts in public health funding, and the Vineyard will lose its only epidemiologist combating tick-borne disease and allergies on the Island.

Your tax-deductible donation to the Island Tick-borne Illness Prevention Fund through the Martha's Vineyard Community Foundation for Lea Hamner’s research directly supports on-the-ground science, community education, and other efforts to protect Vineyard families, workers, and visitors. The lessons learned from this research on Martha's Vineyard will have consequences for national efforts to curb tick-borne illnesses.

Together, we can keep this vital work going — and make life outdoors safer for everyone.

Why does Martha's Vineyard need an epidemiologist?

Martha’s Vineyard is the epicenter for eight tick-borne infections and one allergy: Lyme Disease, babesiosis, anaplasmosis, ehrlichiosis, tularemia, Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever, Powassan virus, borrelia miyamotoi, and Alpha-Gal Syndrome. As a result, it is one of the best places for an epidemiologist to take scattered medical cases and field observations and turn them into action. By analyzing who is getting sick, as well as where, when, and why they are getting infected, an epidemiologist can use that data to inform evidence-based prevention efforts, community education, and policies that save lives.

Lea Hamner, MPH, is the only epidemiologist who is part of the Martha’s Vineyard Tick Program, which conducts research, education, and outreach to keep families, workers, and visitors safe from these serious diseases. The MV Tick Program has raised awareness of the Alpha-Gal Syndrome nationally, and educated the public about its dramatic impact to health and society if left unchecked. Lea aims to move from awareness to action, informing decision-makers about the gravity of the situation, vetting possible solutions, and measuring whether they work in reducing tick-borne illness.

Why your support is critical now:

Since 2023, Lea has been contracted part-time as the only epidemiologist working with the Martha’s Vineyard Tick Program , through a state grant provided to the Inter-Island Public Health Excellence Collaborative and Dukes County. Lea’s grant funding — just $23,000 of a larger federal award — was front-loaded into the busy spring and summer season, when tick risk is highest. That funding has run out.

While Lea Hamner and local Boards of Health are pursuing new grants, public-health funding is increasingly scarce. Community support is needed now to keep this essential work alive and to prevent gaps in her data collection.

Since 2015, the Martha’s Vineyard Community Foundation has supported the Martha's Vineyard Tick Program through their Island Tick-borne Illness Prevention Fund. Community donations to the Fund have sustained the MV Tick Program in times between grants, allowing the program to become a jewel in the state's community-informed, evidence-based tick bite and disease prevention. The Martha’s Vineyard Community Foundation has pledged to use funds raised through this GoFundMe to support Lea’s ongoing work.

Your tax-deductible donation can keep this vital work going — and make life outdoors safer for everyone.

Why Lea?

Lea Hamner connects the science, the data, the healthcare providers, and the community. Without bridge support, Martha’s Vineyard would lose not only its epidemiologist, but also its voice at the state and national level.

Under her leadership, the Martha’s Vineyard Tick Program has built:

• Ongoing tick-borne disease surveillance, including the Vineyard’s first Alpha-Gal Syndrome tracking system.

• The Alpha-Gal Syndrome Support Group, with 80+ members — nationally recognized for evidence-based, community-centered support.

• Statewide advocacy so medical and professional groups (dentistry, pharmacy, allergy) begin including AGS in education and practice.

• Collaborations with Tufts University, the University of Massachusetts, the University of North Caroline, the Centers for Disease Control, Massachusetts General Hospital, and more — bringing cutting-edge science directly to the Vineyard.

• Island-wide education and outreach that help families, visitors, and clinicians protect themselves from ticks.

With your support, Lea can:

• Document and investigate Alpha-Gal Syndrome and other tick-borne diseases.

Through field epidemiology — the “disease detective” work of identifying who develops AGS or other infections and why — Lea Hamner is uncovering data that could save lives. Knowing who faces the highest risk for severe reactions guides prevention programs that protect those most vulnerable before they’re bitten.

• Collaborate with leading scientists to advance prevention and treatment. Lea’s partnerships bring cutting-edge science directly to the Vineyard.

Together, researchers are investigating the complex interactions between three tick species, eight infectious diseases, and one life-changing allergy — answering who gets sick, why, and how to prevent it.

• Bring local data to state and national attention.

Lea shares Vineyard findings with Massachusetts and national public-health leaders so what’s learned here shapes policy, research, and provider education everywhere. This work has already reached national media and improved early diagnosis — awareness that literally saves lives.

• Continue vital education, outreach, and community support.

Lea’s prevention campaigns and presentations empower residents and visitors to recognize symptoms early, reduce tick exposure, and access care. The Alpha-Gal Syndrome Support Group ensures that lived experience directly informs science and public-health action.

• Protect visitors and seasonal residents from life-changing illness.

Each summer, thousands of people arrive unaware of tick risks. Lea Hamner’s outreach ensures safe, healthy Vineyard experiences — preventing new cases of Lyme, babesiosis, ehrlichiosis, tularemia, and Alpha-Gal Syndrome before they happen.

This flexible, community-funded support bridges the gap while longer-term grants are secured — sustaining essential, science-driven public-health work that prevents new cases and improves the lives of those already living with Alpha-Gal Syndrome.

Community Voices

What island residents are saying about the Martha’s Vineyard Tick Program and Lea’s work:

“Because of the MV Tick Program’s education efforts, I knew what was happening when I had my first Alpha-Gal reaction. I knew what to do, when to call 911, and didn’t panic. That knowledge kept me safe.”

“The single most impactful action the MV Tick Program took was combining rigorous local surveillance with rapid, accessible community education. It created a direct link between evidence and prevention.”

“Without the MV Tick Program the island would be awash in misinformation and rumors.”

“As a clinician and patient affected by AGS, I wholeheartedly support your team’s effort and leadership in responding to this crisis.”

“The more education on Alpha-Gal Syndrome, the better. There are still so many who don’t even know about it.”

Your impact

Your tax-deductible contribution keeps this vital public-health work alive — protecting families, visitors, and future generations on Martha’s Vineyard.

With your support, Lea can keep investigating, educating, and protecting us from tick-borne diseases — connecting local data to national action.

Further Reading:

Island to lose help of key epidemiologist , Vineyard Gazette, September 26, 2025

Funding for tick-borne illness to end , MV Times, September 30, 2025

Rare but serious tick-borne virus investigated on Martha’s Vineyard, Inter-Island Public Health Excellence Collaborative - Joint Release from Martha's Vineyard Boards of health, August 4, 2025

Hospital reports rise in tick bites , MV Times, July 9, 2025

An Island epidemic , Martha’s Vineyard magazine, June 5, 2025

Alpha-Gal Cases Skyrocket as Lone Star Ticks Dig i n, Vineyard Gazette, October 31, 2024

The Alpha-Gal Syndrome Story : How Researchers Traced a Red-Meat Allergy to Ticks, The Scientist, May 27, 2025