2024 MDF Regional Conferences

MDF is Bringing our Conference to a City Near YOU in 2024!
 

We are excited to announce MDF is hosting 6 Regional Conferences across the United States in 2024. These one-day conferences will connect local communities, bring DM resources to the DM community, and provide attendees with the opportunity to connect more closely with local researchers and clinicians.

Please note: the 2024 MDF Regional Conferences are for the DM Community and invited partners only!

Each Conference will include participation from local DM experts, researchers, and community members to provide a robust program including popular sessions from our past Annual Conferences. In addition to other breakout options, every Conference will have core sessions given by local experts:

• Trial Readiness
• Stump the Doctor
• Industry Updates
• MDF Overview Session
• Movement Moments
• Community Panels
• DM1 Overview
• DM2 Overview
• Networking and Social Hour

Note: The Regional Conference Sessions will not be split into individual Community Tracks.

Looking for JOA Specific Sessions? Join us at our Conference in Gainesville, FL, or at our Conference in Los Angeles, CA, both of these events will feature a dedicated JOA space and program.

Register for a Regional Conference Near You!

Please note that each conference has a unique registration form. If you plan to attend more than one, please register for each event separately. 

MDF Regional Conference Tour Dates*:

• March 23rd in Gainesville, Florida
  In partnership with the University of Florida
   
• April 6th in Boston, Massachusetts
  In partnership with Massachusetts General
   
• April 20th in Iowa City, Iowa
  In partnership with University of Iowa
   
• May 4th in Houston, Texas
  In partnership with Houston Methodist
   
• May 18th in Los Angeles, California
  In partnership with UCLA
   
• June 1st in Seattle, Washington
  In partnership with the Seattle Wellstone Muscular Dystrophy Specialized Research Center and University of Washington

*Dates may be subject to change. Check the MDF website for regular updates.

Thank You to Our Conference Sponsors

Special thanks to our Sponsors for helping make this event possible. For questions on corporate sponsorship opportunities at the 2024 MDF Regional Conferences, please contact MDF at development@myotonic.org.

Click here to download an overview of Sponsorship Opportunities in 2024.

Platinum Sponsor

 

Gold Sponsor

 

Silver Sponsors

 

Bronze Sponsor

Supporting Sponsor

 

 

Questions?

Reach out to MDF by emailing info@myotonic.org or calling 415-800-7777.

Session Descriptions

General Sessions

Clinical Trial Readiness 
Clinical Trial Readiness is the unofficial theme of the 2024 Regional Conferences. As academic and industry partners work to develop treatments and a cure for myotonic dystrophy (DM), it is more important now than ever that the DM community is ready to participate in trials. This talk will provide an overview of clinical trials and help attendees think about how to prepare for upcoming trials and studies: 

• What are clinical trials?
• What is the process to get to clinical trials (discovery, preclinical research, preclinical development, clinical research)
• Phases of clinical trials
• What a clinical trial is like for a participant
• What are natural history studies?
• Important do’s and don’ts of clinical trials
• Other frequently asked questions (FAQs)

MDF Overview Session / How MDF Can Help You!
The Myotonic Dystrophy Foundation (MDF) works to enhance the quality of life of people living with myotonic dystrophy and to drive research focused on treatments and a cure. This session will provide a comprehensive overview of the work of MDF as well as the readily available tools and resources for the community. 

• The Myotonic Dystrophy Family Registry (MDFR)
• Research
• Toolkits and Publications
• Support Groups
• Other tools (Find-A-Doctor, Body Systems, Digital Academy, Dispatch) 

Movement Moments
MDF is proud to support the Myotonic Dystrophy in Motion movement which aims to unify, inspire, and encourage the international DM community to start moving. Movement can improve both the physical and mental well-being of people living with myotonic dystrophy. Movement moments are a great tool to break up sitting during sessions and could include a variety of activities:

• Stretching
• Chair yoga
• Tai Chi

Stump the Doctor
Stump the Doctor Sessions at the conference are an opportunity for community members to meet a leading clinical expert in myotonic dystrophy and ask their most persistent, challenging questions. These sessions are open Q&A format. Can you stump the doctor?

Industry Updates
During this session, representatives from biotechnology and pharmaceutical companies will provide updates on their drug development efforts in the DM field.

Breakout Sessions

DM1 Overview
This session is for those new to the DM1 community and those seeking a refresher. A leading expert will provide a comprehensive overview of DM1:

• Causes and genetics underlying DM1
• How and when in life it can affect different systems of the body
• Tips for self-management of symptoms
• How to best work with your clinical care team to ensure the best quality of life 

DM2 Overview
This session is for those new to the DM2 community and those seeking a refresher. A leading expert will provide a comprehensive overview of DM2:

• Causes and genetics underlying DM2
• How and when in life it can affect different systems of the body
• Tips for self-management of symptoms
• How to best work with your clinical care team to ensure the best quality of life 

Community Discussion Panel 
The Community Discussion Panel at the conference will be sessions led by MDF volunteer community leaders. Each regional conference will have a committee comprised of local community leaders who will help select panelists and topics. Examples of panel topics include: 

• Life hacks
• CDM: What to do before your child turns 18
• Unaffected caregivers 

Entertainment and Connection 
MDF understands the importance of community and connection. We aim to create unique opportunities in safe and welcoming environments for attendees to connect and engage with each other. This could include a variety of activities:

• Networking Buddy Lunch
• Dance Party
• Networking and Social Hour 

Questions?

Reach out to MDF by emailing info@myotonic.org or calling 415-800-7777.