New look. Same mission.

As Achieving Cures Together moves into its second decade of advancing microbiome research, restoring health and transforming lives, we are excited to introduce our refreshed logo and newly designed website.
Our updated site makes it easier to access clinical trial information through our interactive research map, meet our research partners, find upcoming events, and learn about health conditions currently being targeted by microbiota transplant therapy research. We invite you to explore all the new features and resources.
Thank you for being part of this journey and for supporting ACT’s continued progress.

Christie Lansdowne, Executive Director

The Gut Microbiome 101 Webinar: August 4, 2026

What is our gut microbiome, why does it matter and how does it connect to our health? Dr. Alexander Khoruts of the University of Minnesota breaks down the basics of our gut in ACT’s complimentary webinar, the Gut Microbiome 101 on August 4^th at 6pm CT. For more details and to register for the webinar, please visit: https://achievingcures.com/event/the-gut-microbiome-101-webinar.

Growing Hope: September 11, 2026

Join us, our research partners and ACT community members for our annual Growing Hope event. Featured speakers include Dr. Richard Bedlack, who is pioneering cutting-edge research with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and its connection to the gut microbiome. Dr. Alexander Khoruts will share the latest scientific discoveries in microbiota therapies and their impact on health conditions related to the gut brain connection, cancer recovery, digestive disorders, antibiotic resistance and more.

Terri Savaryn, Co-owner of the Winery at Sovereign Estates and C. difficile patient shares her reason for hosting Growing Hope as the venue sponsor.

“I was very ill with C. difficile for many years undiagnosed. I kept getting diagnosed as a diverticulitis patient. My treatment was very fast and successful, and I’m very healthy today and have very little tummy troubles. I would hope that people would consider giving to this worthy cause. Without it, I would not be here. It’s called Growing Hope, and the hope is growing.”

SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES: ACT sponsorships directly support microbiome research and patient treatments and offer meaningful visibility. If your business or family are interested in learning more about sponsorship opportunities at Growing Hope this year, please contact us at info@achievingcures.com.

Twin Cities Marathon: October 3 – 4, 2026

Lace up your running (or walking) shoes and make every mile matter by joining ACT’s Twin Cities Marathon charity race team on October 3rd and 4th. Whether you’re ready to walk the 5K with members of ACT’s leadership team, challenge yourself with a 10-mile
race, or take on the ultimate goal of crossing the finish line of a marathon, there’s a distance for every runner and walker. As a member of our team, you’ll raise vital funds that advance microbiota transplant therapy research and provide treatments to patients with recurrent C. difficile infections. Race team members also receive a complimentary ACT race team shirt. Registration and event details are available at: achievingcures.com/event/2026-twin-cities-marathon

TCM Runner Spotlight: Megan Haney

“I’m running the TC Half Marathon to support the incredible work they’re doing to advance microbiome research and to bring life-changing treatments to more people.”

University of Minnesota Microbiota Therapeutics Program

Dr. Alexander Khoruts, University of Minnesota Microbiota Therapeutics Program Director

University of Minnesota Microbiota Therapeutics Program

Dr. Alexander Khoruts, University of Minnesota Microbiota Therapeutics Program Director

Treatment areas: C. difficile infections

The University of Minnesota Microbiota Therapeutics Program has been instrumental in developing the science that has led to emergence of commercial microbiota-based products that target infections with Clostridioides difficile bacteria (“C. diff”). Nevertheless, many patients in need cannot access these products, which are only approved for prevention of C. diff recurrence in adults only. In addition, insurance coverage is variable, and many patients in need cannot access treatment even for the approved indications. With the support of Achieving Cures Together, the UMN Microbiota Therapeutics Program has been able to offer the most cutting-edge microbiota-based formulations to all C. diff patients in need, including children, free of charge. In addition, we have established a program within the Fairview system, which extends to six hospitals in the metro area, to identify and treat hospitalized patients with severe and potentially lethal forms of C. difficile.

INFLAMMATORY BOWEL DISEASES: ACT is helping fund research in ulcerative colitis, Crohn’s disease, and primary sclerosing cholangitis-associated inflammatory bowel disease.

MULTI-DRUG ANTIBIOTIC RESISTANCE: This is a growing area of great concern in medicine.
The gut of humans and animals is the central hub of antibiotic resistance growth. The continued
challenge of C. diff infections is only one of the examples of antibiotic resistance. However,
there are many others, including VRE, MRSA, ESBL, CRE (“nightmare bacteria”), and others. ACT is helping to support research at the University of Minnesota, Virginia Commonwealth
University, and Emory University in this area.

CANCER RECOVERY: Cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy become immunodeficient and require antibiotic treatments. These treatments are very harsh on the gut and complicate cancer
recovery. In addition, a healthy microbiome is needed to support the immune system’s own fight against cancer. ACT is helping to support research in this diverse field at Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center (Seattle, WA), City of Hope (California), and University of Minnesota.

GUT-BRAIN CONNECTION: The microbes in the gut produce many neuroactive chemicals that interact with the nervous system in the brain. This has implications for many disorders, including neurodegenerative diseases like amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS or Lou Gehrig Disease), neurodevelopmental disorders such as autism, and even substance abuse disorders. ACT is helping to support research on these topics at Duke University, Virginia Commonwealth University,
and Arizona State University.

KIDNEY STONES: Most kidney stones, approximately 80%, are made of oxalate, which comes from the diet. Microbes can break up oxalate before it enters the bloodstream. ACT is helping work to develop microbialbased treatments to prevent these stones.

IMMUNE SYSTEM DISORDERS: The gut microbiome calibrates immune responses in the body.
Therefore, there is a lot of interest in targeting the gut microbiome to treat or prevent autoimmune diseases. ACT is helping to support work at the University of Minnesota, Columbia University in NY, and Boston Children’s Hospital in this area.

CARDIOVASCULAR DISEASES: The gut microbiome is altered in patients with heart and lung diseases. It is not known if targeting the gut can be beneficial. Research work, in part enabled by ACT, is being done at the University of Minnesota, Mayo Clinic, and Columbia University.