2021 Project 8p Conference

The Project 8p Science and Family Conference are held annually, rotating in person every other year.

In 2019, we had a successful launch of our first ever Conference in NYC.  In 2020, on Chromosome 8p Day on August 8th, we had a virtual retreat particularly in a unprecedented year due the COVID-19 pandemic.

This summer in 2021, we are hosting scientists and families with 8p heroes to meet each other and learn about the pertinent information regarding Chromosome 8p disorders. Tailored to benefit the entire family, our conferences include scientific, genetic and clinical discussions, respite care, sibling sessions and group activities. Sessions will be held on the latest research, treatment and therapies with views from clinicians, providers and parents. Break-out sessions have also been organized for Moms and Dads that offer a wonderful opportunity to gather with other parents and share the challenges, fears, hopes and successes of raising an 8p hero. These honest exchanges bring both tears and laughter, and most of all, the healing of knowing that you are not alone in your experience.

With that being said, we are excited to announce that our family conference will look a little different this year for the better. This year we are hosting a joint conference between Dup15q Alliance, Project 8p, and Ring14 USA.  We believe we can do more together!

The Project 8p, Dup15q Alliance, and Ring14 USA communities share very similar life experiences – our children face many of the same challenges, our parents have many of the same questions. We can answer these common questions more effectively together.

All 3 communities are neurodevelopmental disorders that have large chromosome copy number changes (duplications, deletions and/or rings) that involve multiple genes. To investigate and accelerate therapeutic developments in complex genetic changes, these communities developed the “Commission for Neurodevelopmental Copy Number Variants (CNVs)” funded by the Chan Zuckerberg Initiative.  Since this commission is championing for cross-disorder targeted therapies, we want the clinicians and researchers to see how similar our children are.

Thus, we are coming together in Colorado to tackle our common challenges. Teaming up to bring more information, to share resources, and to stream our conference worldwide for the first time. We will be all together when it makes sense, but we will also meet separately to address unique issues and to encourage community within each association. We want to deliver big conference content while maintaining the small conference experience.