Chromosome 18

February Newsletter

2026 Starfish Dash 5k Run/Walk & Health Fair

Our annual 5k and health fair will take place Saturday, April 25th in San Antonio, TX. This is a free, official FIESTA San Antonio event! For members unable to attend in-person, please join us for our 2026 Virtual Starfish Dash!

2026 Annual Family Conference Registration Now Open!

Conference is the most exciting time of the year! This year, Conference will take place July 12th-15th in San Antonio, TX. Meet other families, gain knowledge, and support your loved ones living with chromosome 18 conditions.

For the first time, we are offering special early-bird pricing through April 30th!

EARLY-BIRD REGISTRATION

Hotel Booking Open

Don't forget to book your room at the official Conference hotel, Westin San Antonio North to be in the middle of all the action. Read more information on the Conference hotel and bookings here.

BOOK YOUR ROOM HERE

Scholarship Application

Scholarship applications for the 2026 Annual Family Conference are open! This scholarship is for first-time attending families who struggle to attend Conference because of the cost involved. It covers registration costs for each approved family member and up to four nights hotel stay in one hotel room. The application closes April 30th. Read more and apply here.

Upcoming Events

February Facebook Live - If you missed the live discussion with Kristen Yerys and Maggie Beason, the hosts of our Parents/Caregivers of Young Children Support Calls on February 18th, view the recording here on Facebook!

Spanish-speaking Parent/Caregiver Support Call - Join Nancy Chavez, our Mexico ambassador, and other Spanish-speaking families for connection time on Zoom February 25th at 7pm CT.

Rare Disease Day - February 28th is Rare Disease Day! Raise awareness and join the conversation using #C18RDD on Facebook.

Pennies For Perri - Join the Poggio family at their annual charity event in Newport Beach, CA on March 7th beginning at 4pm PST.

Virtual Starfish Camp 2026 - All are welcome for a fun evening of camp-themed activities via Zoom on March 10th at 6pm CT.

Starfish Camp - We have closed registration for our inclusive, memorable family camp experience in San Antonio, TX March 12th - 15th. If your family is interested in being placed on our waitlist, please email office@chromosome18.org.

March Facebook Live - Join us live on Facebook March 18th at 6pm CT to hear from Dr. Brian Faux, a pediatric neurologist and an advocate for children with special needs.

Camp Sib - Chromosome 18 siblings, join us via Zoom March 18th at 7pm CT for a virtual camp experience hosted by Sibling Coordinator, Kendall Powell!

Clinical Research Center Tour - Talk to founder, Dr. Jannine Cody, who leads the Clinical research center for Chromosome 18 research, and see the lab in-person in San Antonio, TX on March 19th at 11:30am CT.

Starfish Dash 5k Run / Walk & Health Fair (San Antonio, TX & Virtual Event) - This is our 9th year hosting our official Fiesta San Antonio event. Join us April 25th, either in-person in San Antonio at 8am CT or virtually any time the day of the Dash!

Conference Early-Bird Registration - Early-bird registration for Conference will close April 30th.

EVENTS CALENDAR

Clinical Research Center

Read this month's article focusing on gene therapy in the context of treating chromosome 18 conditions. Click here to read more.

Clinical Research Center Grant Check

The Clinical Research Center received its first grant check for the year! The check for $46,725 will support vital research every day.

Pictured (left to right): Aamuktha Pentala, MPH, Jonathan Gelfond, MD, PhD,

Jannine Cody, PhD, Brittany Antopia, MPH, and Kameel Karkar, MD.

Weston's Cornhole for Chromosome 18 was a Massive Success!

Congratulations to Kristy Holder, her family, and all volunteers for organizing such an incredible event in Spring, TX. Over $82,000 was raised for chromosome 18 research. Thank you to everybody that participated, volunteered, and donated. Click here to view the Weston's Cornhole Facebook Album!

Welcome Jacqueline Mo, our new West Coordinator!

Jacqueline Mo lives in Orange County, California. Jacqueline’s connection to the Chromosome 18 community began when she found out her son Leo, was diagnosed with Tetrasomy 18p when he was still in her womb. Jacqueline is excited to join as a coordinator and spread awareness, connection, and the simple, beautiful joy her son shares with everyone he meets. Learn more about Jacqueline here .

Chromosome 18 Canada Fundraiser

Chromosome 18 Canada fundraiser was a huge success at Coppola’s Ristaurante in St. Catharines, ON, Canada on Saturday, February 21st. A great night of tasty dishes and fine wine supporting Chromosome 18 families. Thank you to the sponsors: Coppola’s Ristaurante, Stem Wine Group, Pilliterri Estate Winery, Smith Financial, and Bosak Wealth Management. Thanks to Tony Haney for putting this all together.