The Alpha-1 Foundation’s Annual National Education Conference is a unique opportunity for many newly diagnosed Alphas and their families to receive answers to their questions and meet others like them. The 26^th annual conference in Chicago, IL was no exception. After final review, 652 attendees from 45 states and 5 countries gathered on June 24 – 26 to speak to leading experts on Alpha-1, network with peers, and get involved in the Alpha-1 community through local support groups, research, awareness activities and fundraising.

View the 2017 Conference Agenda as a PDF here.

All of the 2017 conference presentations are available to view online at your convenience.

Thank you to our 2017 Platinum Sponsors:
AlphaNet
CSL Behring
Grifols
Shire

Thank you to our 2017 Gold Sponsor:
Dohmen Life Science Services

Thank you to our 2017 Silver Sponsors:
Accredo
Coram
Diplomat

Thank you to our 2017 Bronze Sponsors:
Advanced Aeromedical
Arrowhead Pharmaceuticals

Thank you to our 2017 Non-profit Sponsors:
COPD Foundation
National Organization for Rare Disorders (NORD)
Patient Services, Inc
Plasma Protein Therapeutics Association (PPTA)

The Alpha-1 Foundation’s Annual National Education Conference is a unique opportunity for many newly diagnosed Alphas and their families to receive answers to their questions and meet others like them. The 25^th annual conference in Miami, FL was no exception. After final review, 610 attendees from 45 states and 5 countries gathered on June 24 – 26 to speak to leading experts on Alpha-1, network with peers, and get involved in the Alpha-1 community through local support groups, research, awareness activities and fundraising.

View the 2016 Conference Agenda as a PDF here.

All of the 2016 conference presentations are available to view online at your convenience.

One of the highlights Friday afternoon was the Community Forum, which offered attendees an opportunity to meet with community leaders and discuss ways they can participate in shaping the future of Alpha-1. This was especially fitting with this year’s theme “Without YOU There Is No Solution.” Further weaving the theme throughout the weekend was the Foundation’s exhibit booth, which featured a quiz entitled “What is Your Alpha-1 Personality?” Over 40 percent of attendees took the quiz and were given one of four results: advocacy, fundraising, research or support. Take the Alpha-1 quiz and share your results with the Foundation on social media!

Read more about “helping ordinary people do extraordinary things” and the rest of Friday’s conference program.

For the second year, the conference offered Meet the Experts, an opportunity for Alphas, their caregivers and families to have “15-minute conversations” with Alpha-1 Clinical Resource Center physicians and ask their questions face-to-face. Over 45 Alphas and their guests took advantage of this opportunity and met with six doctors and the Alpha-1 Genetic Counselor.

The Foundation took time over the weekend to honor the many contributions and achievements that members of the Alpha-1 community have made. Friday evening at the Building Friends for a Cure (BFC) awards, attendees heard the Starfish Story about helping to save one beach-stranded starfish at a time, to make the point that “regardless of how insignificant it may seem to the eyes of others, we can all make a difference.” Read about this year’s many creative and inspired fundraisers.

Presented jointly by the Foundation and AlphaNet, the Advancement of Research Award was given to Mark Brantly, MD on Saturday evening for his dedication and determination to finding a cure for Alpha-1. The Foundation presented six more honorees with awards including the Dennis Pollock Spirit of Advocacy Award and the Inspirational Award. Read more.

THANK YOU to our 2016 Presenting Sponsors:

• AlphaNet

• Baxalta

• CSL Behring

• Grifols

Thank you to our 2016 Lead Sponsor:

Dohmen Life Science Services

Thank you to our 2016 Exhibitors:

• Accredo

• BioRx

• Coram

Thank you to our 2016 Partners, Exhibitors, Non-profit Partners, and Research Studies:

Adult Liver Study
Advanced Aeromedical
Arrowhead Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
COPD Foundation
Heritage Biologics
National Organization for Rare Disorders (NORD)
Patient Services, Inc.
Plasma Protein Therapeutics Association (PPTA)
REACH
State of Florida Detection Program
University of Florida

View the full 2015 Conference Agenda here.

2015 Alpha-1 National Conference opens with inspirational Appalachian Trail story, meetings with experts and session on community engagement.

Building Friends for a Cure honors community fundraisers; BFC program has raised more than $5 million over 10 years.

Thank you to our 2015 Presenting Sponsors:

AlphaNet     Baxalta    CSL Behring     Grifols

Thank you to our 2015 Lead Sponsor:

Dohmen Life Science Services

Thank you to our 2015 Exhibitors:

Accredo      BioRx      Coram

Thank you to our 2015 Partners, Exhibitors, Non-profit Partners, and Research Studies:

Advanced Aeromedical
COPD Foundation
National Organization for Rare Disorders (NORD)
Patient Services, Inc.
Plasma Protein Therapeutics Association (PPTA)
REACH
University of Florida Clinical Trials
Alpha-1 Antitrypsin Deficiency Adult Clinical and Genetic Linkage Study
Arrowhead Research Corporation