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 2025, Glenn Telling, PhD, Director, Prion Research Center, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO, presented the Keynote Address in Honor of Dr. Pierluigi Gambetti: Novel Mouse Models of Prion Diseases

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 2025 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 15th. Reserve your room early to be guaranteed a room.

Rate: $164.00/night

To reserve your room, visit the Marriott Chicago O'Hare's website: https://www.marriott.com/event-reservations/reservation-link.mi?id=1759852286810&key=GRP&app=resvlink

Or call: 773-693-4444.

Hotel Shuttle to/from Chicago O’Hare International Airport

Complimentary Bus Shuttle is available from O’Hare International Airport to guests staying at the Chicago Marriott O’Hare. If guests are arriving into Terminal 1 or 3, proceed to Terminal 2. All Hotel Bus Shuttle pick-ups will occur at Terminal 2 Lower-Level Arrivals curbside outside of Door 2C. For O’Hare Airport drop-offs, the shuttle will make a stop at all Terminals. The vans pick up passengers every 30 minutes between 6:00 am - midnight. From midnight 5:00am, please call the hotel directly to request shuttle service.

Complimentary Bus Shuttle from O’Hare International Airport to the Chicago Marriott O’Hare for Terminal 5 Arrivals: Please call the hotel directly to let us know that you have arrived (773) 693 4444. Shuttle will pick up passengers every 30 minutes from door E5.

Parking: We have a discounted parking rate of $12.00 + tax per day per car. For those who are staying at the Marriott Chicago O'Hare, you will receive a parking voucher at check-in which will allow in and out parking privileges throughout your stay. You will use this voucher to scan at both the entry and exit gate. For those who are staying elsewhere, the CJD Foundation can provide parking passes upon check-in to the conference.

For information about financial assistance, visit the Finanical Assistance page. Finanical Assistance applications will be considered on a rolling basis, first come, first served. Please submit an application by Tuesday, April 21.  Applicants will be notified by Thursday, May 14.

You can register for $225.00 now thru Friday, May 22 at 11:59pm ET. Registration costs will increase to $250.00 on Saturday, May 23.

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 Monday, June 1. Not necessary if you previously submitted a photo.