Each year the Family Conference gathers researchers, medical professionals and families in person. Here are some of the highlights.

Family Workshops: Friday focuses on families, with sessions including Sporadic CJD Workshop, Genetic Prion Disease Workshop, Clinical Prion Disease Basics Information Session, Prion Disease Research Overview, and Bereavement Workshop. The day concludes with a welcome reception to families to meet one another or catch up with friends met in prior years.

Keynote Presentation: In 2024, Simon Mead, BM BCh, FRCP, PhD, Clinical Professor, MRC Prion Unit at UC London, Institute of Prion Diseases, London, England, presented the Keynote Address in Honor of Dr. Pierluigi Gambetti: Can Genetics Help in the Fight Against CJD?

Research Grant Reports: Thanks to our supporters, the CJD Foundation funds many research grants each year, and each of those researchers provided an overview of their work at the conference, followed by Q&A sessions.

Moving Roundtables: In this segment, always a favorite of both families and professionals, families rotate among tables in small groups, and sit for informal Q&A with keynote and other speakers, workshop leaders, and grant recipients.

CDC and NPDPSC Updates: Experts from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and National Prion Disease Pathology Surveillance Center provide updates on their important work.

Family Panel: Hear directly from family members whose loved ones had unique experiences with CJD and learned how they are now making a difference in the fight against CJD.

Banquet: At each year’s banquet, we present an overview of the CJD Foundation’s accomplishments and year in review. We are also pleased to recognize some key volunteers and leaders in the prion disease community. Winners of the Strides for CJD 2024 fundraising competition will also be recognized and memorial tributes to their loved ones and other highlights are shared.

Hotel reservations are not included in your registration and must be made directly with Marriott Chicago O'Hare on your own. We have reserved a limited block of discounted rooms, which will be open until Monday, June 16th. Reserve your room early to be guaranteed a room.

Rate: $149.00/night

To reserve your room, visit the Marriott Chicago O'Hare's website: https://www.marriott.com/event-reservations/reservation-link.mi?id=1722354971194&key=GRP&app=resvlink

Or call: 773-693-4444.

Shuttle To/From O'Hare International Airport:

For your convenience, complimentary shuttle transportation to and from O’Hare International Airport (ORD) is available.  The O’Hare Hotel Shuttle Center is located on the ground level (LL) of O’Hare International Airport’s elevated parking garage.  It is easily accessible by pedestrian tunnels from Terminals 1, 2 and 3.  If you are taking the glass elevators, the floor is Lower Level (LL).  Baggage Claim is also located on LL.  Follow signs for Hotel Shuttles 2. There are several white vans marked Marriott, be sure you take the one that goes to Higgins Road.

The Hotel shuttle pick up for domestic flights is in Terminal 2, and the shuttle stops only at Door / Vestibule 2C.

Parking: We have a discounted parking rate of $9.00 + tax per day per car.

Download, complete, and submit this registration form to register via email or mail. You can register for $225.00 now thru Friday, May 23 at 11:59pm ET. Registration costs will increase to $250.00 on Saturday, May 24.

If you would like us to include a photo of your loved one on our conference banner, please email it in a .JPG format to help@cjdfoundation.org by Friday, June 6. Not necessary if you previously submitted a photo. 

For information about Travel Grants, visit the Travel Grants page. Travel Grant Applications are due by Tuesday, April 22.  Applicants will be notified by Thursday, May 15.