Our primary focus is to support the G. A Message from Rossana Magnotta
The G. Magnotta Foundation for Vector-Borne Diseases is a non-profit organization.
Magnotta Lyme Disease Research Lab at the University of Guelph, Canada’s first research centre for vector-borne illnesses including Lyme Disease which is growing rapidly across Canada. One of its primary focuses is to establish Canada’s first research centre for vector-borne illnesses including Lyme Disease which is growing rapidly across Canada. The Foundation has been named in memory of Gabe Mag
notta, co-founder of Magnotta Winery, to recognize his lengthy and courageous battle with Lyme Disease, a battle he and so many other patients should never have lost in this country. Lyme Disease is a bacterial infection caused by the bite of an infected tick which creates flu-like symptoms in the beginning. Left undiagnosed, this multi-system infection can then attack a person’s heart, brain, joints, connective tissue, muscles, digestive system, skin, eyesight, hearing and more. It even mimics other diseases resulting in a prolonged misdiagnosis. Here’s the good news. We already know what Lyme Disease is and how to prevent it. Lyme Disease is a borreliosis, an infection caused by bacterial organisms called Borrelia. We know how to treat it and, in most early cases, it is successfully treated with antibiotics. But here’s the bad news. The past three decades of research, testing and clinical practice guidelines have been poorly managed. Tests that have been used since the early 1990s are incapable of detecting all the known strains and species of Borrelia that occur and, therefore, they miss a substantial number of cases. In addition, ticks that transmit Lyme Disease often carry other infectious pathogens so a person can be infected with more than just Lyme Disease from the same tick bite and that can confound treatment. A percentage of patients are very difficult to treat for that and a variety of other reasons. North America truly has no grasp at all on the true burden of vector-borne disease in its large and expanding chronically ill population. Our screening test in Canada for Lyme Disease has been so unreliable and riddled with false negatives, chances are you will be misdiagnosed for months and bounced from specialist to specialist. Then, with little recourse, you journey to a U.S. facility where Lyme Disease is quickly diagnosed and you learn the devastating news that, by now, the damage may be irreversible and potentially life-threatening. This is what happened to my family. With Gabe’s illness, we didn’t have answers from anyone for a very long time so we learned first hand the difficulties Canadians face in receiving an immediate, accurate diagnosis and ongoing care. There was nowhere for us to go in Canada that could understand and help us. After a 7-year battle, Gabe passed away. This is not an isolated case. It’s a story I hear again and again. For more than seven years, I have been inundated with calls from people who are frightened and just beginning their frustrating struggle to find answers and proper treatment for their loved ones. During my experience, I turned to the Canadian Lyme Disease Foundation (CanLyme) for personal support and then became passionate about fighting the obstacles that are preventing sufferers from being heard, eventually becoming a director on CanLyme’s Board. This is a wonderful organization that does relentless hard work every day to spread awareness for Lyme Disease as well as inform medical and political communities to properly address the diagnosis, treatment and recognition of this disease in Canada. In addition, there are many other local and provincial groups and associations focused on education and supporting Lyme patients. But the real answer today is to establish a central place in Canada where people can go to get real help and end their frustrating and hopeless struggle. The G. Magnotta Foundation for Vector-Borne Diseases will focus on this mandate by raising funds to establish a facility dedicated to Lyme Disease research that will lead to better testing and treatment. It will also support studies and activities necessary to properly address this growing health crisis that affects all Canadians. Rossana Di Zio Magnotta
CEO & Founder
04/24/2026
On June 16, we’ll gather for the Gabe Magnotta Memorial Golf Classic ⛳
Held at , this event brings together community, remembrance, and purpose for a meaningful day on the course. Proceeds support ongoing Lyme disease research and help advance understanding of a condition that continues to impact individuals and families.
Funds raised will go directly to the for Vector-Borne Diseases in support of the at the University of Guelph ( ).
We hope you will join us!
Learn more and register through the link in our bio.
04/23/2026
❗️RESEARCH MILESTONE❗️
Lyme disease research at the G. Magnotta Research Lab at the University of Guelph has reached a pivotal milestone, advancing the development of a biosensor designed to improve early detection and diagnosis.
Supported by the G. Magnotta Foundation for Vector-Borne Diseases, this work represents an important step forward in research, care, and long-term outcomes.
On May 31, we will come together for the Vaughan Walk & Run for Lyme 💚
This 5K walk and 5K/10K run supports ongoing Lyme disease research and helps bring greater awareness to a condition that continues to impact individuals and families. All net proceeds from this event will go directly to the G. Magnotta Foundation for Vector-Borne Diseases to benefit the G. Magnotta Research Lab at the University of Guelph.
We invite you to join us!
Register and learn more through the link in our bio.
08/29/2023
🧡💚REGISTER NOW💚🧡Walk with us on September 10,2023 at Vaughan ~ link in bio
09/13/2022
Walk with us this Sunday, September 18, 2022 at 8am in Vaughan. Link in bio to register💚🧡
12/03/2021
THANK YOU! 👏🏻🙌💚🧡Posted • Meet Janis Peel and the Green Team! 👋
The Green Team is a group of amazing ladies working hard to spread awareness about Lyme Disease Research. Keep reading to learn more about Janis’s story and how the Green Team raised over $16,000 for the & . ⬇️
In early November, Janis along with the Green Team, and over 3 dozen volunteers made and sold over a hundred Christmas Urns to spread awareness about Lyme Disease and to Fundraise for the G. Magnotta Foundation.
The Green Team’s initial goal for the fundraiser was to raise $5,000. However, they far surpassed that number, raising approximately $16,195 for Lyme Research! We’d like to thank Janis and the Green Team for their incredible effort to raise awareness about Lyme Disease and the research being done at the G. Magnotta Foundation. 💚🧡
Lyme Disease affects Canadians across all provinces and research is key to better testing, diagnosis, and treatment. It is important work like this that allows us to continue doing this research and keep pushing Lyme awareness to the forefront.
NOW AVAILABLE AT MAGNOTTA STORES: Receive a complimentary bottle of our NEW batch of 750mL, 80% alcohol-based hand sanitizers when you make a $15 minimum donation (via debit/credit only) at any Magnotta location*. Since May is National Lyme Disease Awareness Month, 100% of proceeds will go towards the G. Magnotta Foundation for Vector-Borne Diseases to support critical Lyme disease research in Canada. Available while supplies last, limit 2 bottles per person. *Please call your preferred Magnotta location to ensure availability and for more information, please visit: https://www.magnotta.com/hand-sanitizer
05/02/2020
🧡🙌🏻💚
May 1st marks the beginning of Lyme Disease Awareness Month. As our philanthropic Venture wines were created to support Lyme disease research, this month we hope to empower you with knowledge about this disease so that you can protect yourselves and your families. 💚🧡 Join us and G. Magnotta Foundation for Vector-Borne Diseases in our mission to change the way Lyme disease is tested, diagnosed and treated in Canada. For more information, visit G. Magnotta Foundation online: www.gmagnottafoundation.com/
Wine Country Ontario
02/02/2020
Lyme Disease research is key! Thank you Magnotta Winery🧡
04/24/2026
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