World-renowned Professionals Connect with Families July 6 - 10th in Orlando to Discuss Cutting-edge Trends & Treatments.
Matawan, NJ (May 31, 2012)- The International 22q11.2 Foundation Inc., an organization dedicated to improving the quality of life for people affected by chromosome 22q11.2 abnormalities through family and professional partnerships, is acting as the lead sponsor for The 8th Biennial International 22q11.2DS Conference in Orlando, FL, USA from July 6 -10th. This event is the most comprehensive gathering of its kind for professionals and families to network, share ideas and learn about cutting-edge trends in basic science research, medical, dental, educational and psycho-social issues related to 22q11.2DS.
Families, clinicians, scientists and educators from around the world are invited to participate. The event will include platform presentations on a wide range of topics ranging from research findings and clinical care to educational and behavioral strategies related to a multitude of birth defects including, but not limited to, congenital heart disease, cleft lip and palate, neural tube defects, and congenital brain malformations. For participating families, expanded question and answer periods provide opportunities for parent-professional dialogue and this is a terrific chance to network with other affected individuals and families. For participating professionals, the conference can meet continuing education requirements including accreditations and certifications through The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia. Medical students are also welcome.
Conference speakers include:
- Anne Bassett, Director, Clinical Genetics Research Program, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, Toronto, Canada;Program Chair, The Eighth Biennial International 22q11.2 Deletion Syndrome Meeting
- Natalie Blagowidow, Director, Prenatal Genetics and Cytogenetics, Greater Baltimore Medical Center, Baltimore, MD, USA
- Peggy Eicher, Director of The Feeding and Swallowing Program, St. Joseph's Hospital, Patterson, NJ, USA
- Brenda Finucane, Director of Genetic Services at Elwyn, Media, PA, USA
- Sixto García-Miñaúr: Senior Geneticist, Department of Clinical Genetics, Institute of Medical and Molecular Genetics, La Paz University Hospital, Madrid, Spain
- Alex Habel, Pediatrician, Great Ormond Street Children's Hospital, London, UK
- Barb Hass-Givler: Board-Certified Behavior Analyst, Education Specialist, Genetic Services at Elwyn, PA, USA
- Elizabeth Goldmuntz, Associate Professor of Cardiology, The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia and the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, USA
- Rick Guidotti: Director, Positive Exposure, NY, NY, USA;Patient Advocate
- Damian Heine Suñer: Geneticist, Molecular Genetics Laboratory, Department of Genetics, Hospital Son Espases, Palma, Spain
- Maria Kamper: President, VCFS 22q11 Foundation, Charlton, Australia
- Daniella Krijger: Founder and President, Hoezo Anders Foundation;Author of Anders;Former Member, 22q11.2 Support Network, Utrecht, The Netherlands
- Laird Jackson, Geneticist, Drexel University, Philadelphia, PA, USA
- Anne Lawlor: Parent Advocate, 22q Ireland Support Group, Dublin, Republic of Ireland
- Anthony LaMantia, Mouse Geneticist, George Washington University, District of Columbia, USA
- Christian Marshall, Assistant Professor of Genetics, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
- Donna M. McDonald-McGinn, Associate Director, Clinical Genetics Center;Program Director, the "22q and You" Center, The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia and the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine;Secretary General, The Eighth Biennial International 22q11.2 Deletion Syndrome Meeting, Philadelphia, PA, USA
- Aoy Mitchell, Basic Science Researcher, Milwaukee Children's Hospital, Milwaukee, WI, USA
- Bernice Morrow, Professor, Director of Division of Human Genetics, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY, USA
- Edward Moss, Neuropsychologist, Private Practice, Bryn Mawr, PA, USA
- Sólveig Óskarsdóttir, Consultant in Pediatrics, The Queen Silvia Children's Hospital, Gothenburg, Sweden
- Christina Persson, Speech Pathologist, Department of LogoPedics & Phoniatrics, The Sahlgrenska Academy at Goteborg University, Goteborg, Sweden
- Peter Scambler, Mouse Geneticist, Molecular Medicine Unit, UCL Institute of Child Health, London, UK
- Tony Simon, Neuropsychologist, The Mind Institute, Sacramento, CA, USA
- Kathleen Sullivan, Professor of Pediatrics, University of Pennsylvania Medical School;Chief, Division of Allergy Immunology and Infectious Diseases, The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, PA, USA
- Ann Swillen, Professor, Center of Human Genetics, University Hospital of Gasthuisberg;
Department of Human Genetics, Department of Rehabilitation Sciences, University of Leuven,
Leuven, Belgium - Nancy Unanue, Endocrinologist, Endocrinology and Genetics Unit, Children's Hospital Clinico San Borja Arriarán;Maternal and Child Health Research Institute, University of Chile, Clinica
Las Condes, Santiago, Chile - Paul Wang, Pediatrician, Private Industry, New Haven, CT, USA
- Julie Wooton: Founder and President, Max Appeal, Wollaston Stourbridge, England;Conference Chair, The 7th Biennial 22q11.2 Deletion Syndrome Meeting, Coventry, England
Registration, additional conference and organization information and the full meeting agenda can be found at www.22qconference.com.
About 22Q
The 22q11.2 syndromes (22q11.2DS) are caused by a missing or extra piece section (microdeletion or micro duplication) of chromosome 22, which is present from conception and generally found in every body cell. Although there is no cure for the 22q11.2DS, many therapies and medical interventions are available to help address associated symptoms. The earlier symptoms are detected, the more doctors can do to help. The 22q11.2 deletion syndrome is present in at least one of every 2,000 live births;in one in 68 children born with congenital heart disease;and in five to eight percent of children born with cleft palate;and is almost as common as Down syndrome, but is much less widely-known, partially because it was previously called by a number of clinical names (DiGeorge syndrome, velocardiofacial syndrome, CTAF, etc.) before the underlying cause was known to be a missing piece of chromosome that causes a wide range of health problems. The 22q11.2 duplication syndrome is about half as common as the deletion. Regardless if the deletion or duplication is present, no two affected people are ever exactly alike, and not every person with the deletion or duplication is affected in the same way. Though not always present, key characteristics include combinations and varying degrees of heart defects, feeding and gastrointestinal difficulties, problems with the immune system such as difficulty fighting infection and autoimmune diseases, growth differences, palate differences such as cleft lip/cleft palate, endocrine problems such as with low calcium or thyroid disease, cognitive and speech delay, and behavioral/emotional differences (ADHD, autism, anxiety, etc.)
About The International 22q11.2 Foundation, Inc.
The International 22q11.2 Foundation was founded in 2003. The mission of the Foundation is to raise the public profile of chromosome 22q11.2 syndromes. The Foundation is made up of a group of parents and professionals who volunteer their time and talents to further promote awareness and connect families, healthcare providers, and teaching professionals with information and resources. They are responsible for supporting educational and fundraising events and conferences. For more information, please visit www.22q.org
