Location
Sandman Signature Toronto Airport Hotel
55 Reading Ct
Etobicoke, Ontario M9W 7K7
Canada
55 Reading Ct
Etobicoke, Ontario M9W 7K7
Canada
Date & Time
Saturday, 05/09/2026
9:00am EST - 5:00pm EST
9:00am EST - 5:00pm EST
Add to Calendar
05/09/2026 09:00:00 AM
05/09/2026 05:00:00 PM
America/New_York
Canada CHM Patient & Family Meeting
Join us for the first-ever Canada CHM Patient and Family Meeting, a free, in-person event for individuals living with choroideremia (CHM), family members, and friends.
The day will include updates on the latest CHM research, information on supportive services available in Canada, and opportunities to connect with other CHM families.
Register to reserve your spot.
Meeting Agenda:
8 – 9 am
Registration, Meet & Greet, Social Time, Complimentary Continental Breakfast
9 – 9:05am
Welcome and Introduction
Bob Hillier, CHMer, CRFC President Neal Bench, CHMer, CRF President
9:05 –9:15am
Building a Patient Community & History of the CRFC and CRF
Bob Hillier and Neal Bench
9:15 –9:35am
CHM 101 – What is Choroideremia?
Brian Ballios, MD, PhD, FRCSC, DABO, University of Toronto, University Health Network and Kensington Vision and Research Center
9:35 –10:00am
What to Expect at your Doctor Visit; Development of a CHM Staging Document and its Importance
Ajoy Vincent, MBBS, MS, FRCSD, Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto
10 – 10:30am
Therapeutics in Development: Gene Therapy to Stop Progression and Stem Cell Therapy for Vision Restoration
Brian Ballios, MD, PhD, FRCSC, DABO, University of Toronto, University Health Network and Kensington Vision and Research Center
10:30 – 11am
Therapeutics in Development: Editing and Correcting Genetic Errors
Fay Zhai, MD, PhD, University of Toronto
11 – 11:30am
Ask the Doctors Q & A
Drs. Ballios, Vincent and Zhai
11:30am –1pm
Group Photo & Complimentary Lunch
All Attendees
1 – 1:10pm
CRF Research Progress Updates (Video)
Kathi Wagner, CRF Executive Director
1:10 –1:20pm
Current and Active CRF and CRFC Funded Research Projects (Video)
Jess Thompson, MD, CRF Science Advisory Board Chair and Research Committee Chair
1:20 –1:50pm
Canadian Organizations Providing Services for Visually Impaired: Fighting Blindness Canada
Larissa Moniz, FBC
1:50 –2:20pm
Canadian Organizations Providing Services for Visually Impaired: Canadian National Institute for the Blind
Suzanne Decary, CNIB
2:20 –2:50pm
Canadian Organizations Providing Services for Visually Impaired: Vision Loss Rehabilitation Canada
Sue Marsh-Woods, VLRC
2:50 –3:15pm
Q & A
Moniz, Decary, Marsh-Woods
3:15 –3:30pm
Break
All Attendees
3:30 –4:30pm
Living the CHM Life: Occupations, Hobbies, Activities and Passions
Open Discussion - All Attendees
4:30 –4:45pm
CRF and CRFC Volunteer Opportunities
Bob and Neal
4:45 – 5pm
Closing Remarks and Final Q&A
Bob and Neal
5 – 6:30pm
Optional: Happy Hour with Networking at Moxie’s Bar (pay on your own)
All Attendees Welcome!
6:30 – 8pm
Optional: Dinner at Moxie’s Restaurant
(pay on your own)
All Attendees Welcome! Reservation Required
Sandman Signature Toronto Airport Hotel 55 Reading Ct Etobicoke, Ontario M9W 7K7
About This Event
Join us for the first-ever Canada CHM Patient and Family Meeting, a free, in-person event for individuals living with choroideremia (CHM), family members, and friends.
The day will include updates on the latest CHM research, information on supportive services available in Canada, and opportunities to connect with other CHM families.
Register to reserve your spot.
Meeting Agenda:
| 8 – 9 am | Registration, Meet & Greet, Social Time, Complimentary Continental Breakfast | |
|---|---|---|
| 9 – 9:05am | Welcome and Introduction | Bob Hillier, CHMer, CRFC President Neal Bench, CHMer, CRF President |
| 9:05 –9:15am | Building a Patient Community & History of the CRFC and CRF | Bob Hillier and Neal Bench |
| 9:15 –9:35am | CHM 101 – What is Choroideremia? | Brian Ballios, MD, PhD, FRCSC, DABO, University of Toronto, University Health Network and Kensington Vision and Research Center |
| 9:35 –10:00am | What to Expect at your Doctor Visit; Development of a CHM Staging Document and its Importance | Ajoy Vincent, MBBS, MS, FRCSD, Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto |
| 10 – 10:30am | Therapeutics in Development: Gene Therapy to Stop Progression and Stem Cell Therapy for Vision Restoration | Brian Ballios, MD, PhD, FRCSC, DABO, University of Toronto, University Health Network and Kensington Vision and Research Center |
| 10:30 – 11am | Therapeutics in Development: Editing and Correcting Genetic Errors | Fay Zhai, MD, PhD, University of Toronto |
| 11 – 11:30am | Ask the Doctors Q & A | Drs. Ballios, Vincent and Zhai |
| 11:30am –1pm | Group Photo & Complimentary Lunch | All Attendees |
| 1 – 1:10pm | CRF Research Progress Updates (Video) | Kathi Wagner, CRF Executive Director |
| 1:10 –1:20pm | Current and Active CRF and CRFC Funded Research Projects (Video) | Jess Thompson, MD, CRF Science Advisory Board Chair and Research Committee Chair |
| 1:20 –1:50pm | Canadian Organizations Providing Services for Visually Impaired: Fighting Blindness Canada | Larissa Moniz, FBC |
| 1:50 –2:20pm | Canadian Organizations Providing Services for Visually Impaired: Canadian National Institute for the Blind | Suzanne Decary, CNIB |
| 2:20 –2:50pm | Canadian Organizations Providing Services for Visually Impaired: Vision Loss Rehabilitation Canada | Sue Marsh-Woods, VLRC |
| 2:50 –3:15pm | Q & A | Moniz, Decary, Marsh-Woods |
| 3:15 –3:30pm | Break | All Attendees |
| 3:30 –4:30pm | Living the CHM Life: Occupations, Hobbies, Activities and Passions | Open Discussion - All Attendees |
| 4:30 –4:45pm | CRF and CRFC Volunteer Opportunities | Bob and Neal |
| 4:45 – 5pm | Closing Remarks and Final Q&A | Bob and Neal |
| 5 – 6:30pm | Optional: Happy Hour with Networking at Moxie’s Bar (pay on your own) | All Attendees Welcome! |
| 6:30 – 8pm |
Optional: Dinner at Moxie’s Restaurant |
All Attendees Welcome! Reservation Required |
About This Event
Join us for the first-ever Canada CHM Patient and Family Meeting, a free, in-person event for individuals living with choroideremia (CHM), family members, and friends.
The day will include updates on the latest CHM research, information on supportive services available in Canada, and opportunities to connect with other CHM families.
Register to reserve your spot.
Meeting Agenda:
| 8 – 9 am | Registration, Meet & Greet, Social Time, Complimentary Continental Breakfast | |
|---|---|---|
| 9 – 9:05am | Welcome and Introduction | Bob Hillier, CHMer, CRFC President Neal Bench, CHMer, CRF President |
| 9:05 –9:15am | Building a Patient Community & History of the CRFC and CRF | Bob Hillier and Neal Bench |
| 9:15 –9:35am | CHM 101 – What is Choroideremia? | Brian Ballios, MD, PhD, FRCSC, DABO, University of Toronto, University Health Network and Kensington Vision and Research Center |
| 9:35 –10:00am | What to Expect at your Doctor Visit; Development of a CHM Staging Document and its Importance | Ajoy Vincent, MBBS, MS, FRCSD, Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto |
| 10 – 10:30am | Therapeutics in Development: Gene Therapy to Stop Progression and Stem Cell Therapy for Vision Restoration | Brian Ballios, MD, PhD, FRCSC, DABO, University of Toronto, University Health Network and Kensington Vision and Research Center |
| 10:30 – 11am | Therapeutics in Development: Editing and Correcting Genetic Errors | Fay Zhai, MD, PhD, University of Toronto |
| 11 – 11:30am | Ask the Doctors Q & A | Drs. Ballios, Vincent and Zhai |
| 11:30am –1pm | Group Photo & Complimentary Lunch | All Attendees |
| 1 – 1:10pm | CRF Research Progress Updates (Video) | Kathi Wagner, CRF Executive Director |
| 1:10 –1:20pm | Current and Active CRF and CRFC Funded Research Projects (Video) | Jess Thompson, MD, CRF Science Advisory Board Chair and Research Committee Chair |
| 1:20 –1:50pm | Canadian Organizations Providing Services for Visually Impaired: Fighting Blindness Canada | Larissa Moniz, FBC |
| 1:50 –2:20pm | Canadian Organizations Providing Services for Visually Impaired: Canadian National Institute for the Blind | Suzanne Decary, CNIB |
| 2:20 –2:50pm | Canadian Organizations Providing Services for Visually Impaired: Vision Loss Rehabilitation Canada | Sue Marsh-Woods, VLRC |
| 2:50 –3:15pm | Q & A | Moniz, Decary, Marsh-Woods |
| 3:15 –3:30pm | Break | All Attendees |
| 3:30 –4:30pm | Living the CHM Life: Occupations, Hobbies, Activities and Passions | Open Discussion - All Attendees |
| 4:30 –4:45pm | CRF and CRFC Volunteer Opportunities | Bob and Neal |
| 4:45 – 5pm | Closing Remarks and Final Q&A | Bob and Neal |
| 5 – 6:30pm | Optional: Happy Hour with Networking at Moxie’s Bar (pay on your own) | All Attendees Welcome! |
| 6:30 – 8pm |
Optional: Dinner at Moxie’s Restaurant |
All Attendees Welcome! Reservation Required |
Hotel Accomodations
A discounted room block is available at the Sandman Signature Toronto Airport Hotel. To receive the special group rate, please reserve your room no later than April 8 using one of the options below:
Online: Book through the group link
https://reservations.sandmanhotels.com/113121?groupID=5119044
By Phone: Call the Reservations Line at 1-800-SANDMAN (1-800-726-3626) and reference the group name “Choroideremia Research Foundation Canada” or Block ID: 622012.
Getting There
Sandman Signature Toronto Airport Hotel
55 Reading Ct
Etobicoke, Ontario M9W 7K7
Canada
Location
Sandman Signature Toronto Airport Hotel
55 Reading Ct
Etobicoke, Ontario M9W 7K7
Canada
55 Reading Ct
Etobicoke, Ontario M9W 7K7
Canada
Date & Time
Saturday, 05/09/2026
9:00am EST - 5:00pm EST
9:00am EST - 5:00pm EST
Add to Calendar
05/09/2026 09:00:00 AM
05/09/2026 05:00:00 PM
America/New_York
Canada CHM Patient & Family Meeting
Join us for the first-ever Canada CHM Patient and Family Meeting, a free, in-person event for individuals living with choroideremia (CHM), family members, and friends.
The day will include updates on the latest CHM research, information on supportive services available in Canada, and opportunities to connect with other CHM families.
Register to reserve your spot.
Meeting Agenda:
8 – 9 am
Registration, Meet & Greet, Social Time, Complimentary Continental Breakfast
9 – 9:05am
Welcome and Introduction
Bob Hillier, CHMer, CRFC President Neal Bench, CHMer, CRF President
9:05 –9:15am
Building a Patient Community & History of the CRFC and CRF
Bob Hillier and Neal Bench
9:15 –9:35am
CHM 101 – What is Choroideremia?
Brian Ballios, MD, PhD, FRCSC, DABO, University of Toronto, University Health Network and Kensington Vision and Research Center
9:35 –10:00am
What to Expect at your Doctor Visit; Development of a CHM Staging Document and its Importance
Ajoy Vincent, MBBS, MS, FRCSD, Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto
10 – 10:30am
Therapeutics in Development: Gene Therapy to Stop Progression and Stem Cell Therapy for Vision Restoration
Brian Ballios, MD, PhD, FRCSC, DABO, University of Toronto, University Health Network and Kensington Vision and Research Center
10:30 – 11am
Therapeutics in Development: Editing and Correcting Genetic Errors
Fay Zhai, MD, PhD, University of Toronto
11 – 11:30am
Ask the Doctors Q & A
Drs. Ballios, Vincent and Zhai
11:30am –1pm
Group Photo & Complimentary Lunch
All Attendees
1 – 1:10pm
CRF Research Progress Updates (Video)
Kathi Wagner, CRF Executive Director
1:10 –1:20pm
Current and Active CRF and CRFC Funded Research Projects (Video)
Jess Thompson, MD, CRF Science Advisory Board Chair and Research Committee Chair
1:20 –1:50pm
Canadian Organizations Providing Services for Visually Impaired: Fighting Blindness Canada
Larissa Moniz, FBC
1:50 –2:20pm
Canadian Organizations Providing Services for Visually Impaired: Canadian National Institute for the Blind
Suzanne Decary, CNIB
2:20 –2:50pm
Canadian Organizations Providing Services for Visually Impaired: Vision Loss Rehabilitation Canada
Sue Marsh-Woods, VLRC
2:50 –3:15pm
Q & A
Moniz, Decary, Marsh-Woods
3:15 –3:30pm
Break
All Attendees
3:30 –4:30pm
Living the CHM Life: Occupations, Hobbies, Activities and Passions
Open Discussion - All Attendees
4:30 –4:45pm
CRF and CRFC Volunteer Opportunities
Bob and Neal
4:45 – 5pm
Closing Remarks and Final Q&A
Bob and Neal
5 – 6:30pm
Optional: Happy Hour with Networking at Moxie’s Bar (pay on your own)
All Attendees Welcome!
6:30 – 8pm
Optional: Dinner at Moxie’s Restaurant
(pay on your own)
All Attendees Welcome! Reservation Required
Sandman Signature Toronto Airport Hotel 55 Reading Ct Etobicoke, Ontario M9W 7K7