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If you are in the Orlando, FL area, please join us for a free public health forum on Sunday, October 18th from 1:00-3:00 p.m. at the Walt Disney World Swan & Dolphin Resort! The event is co-hosted by the American Thyroid Association (ATA) and the member organizations of the ATA's Alliance for Patient Education, including the Graves' Disease & Thyroid Foundation.  Physicians and patient representatives will be on hand to discuss your questions and concerns. The event is FREE, but RSVPs are requested to ensure that we have enough seating. To register, please e-mail ThyCa: Thyroid Cancer Survivors' Association, Inc. at [email protected] and indicate in your e-mail the thyroid-related condition you are most concerned about. For additional information, please click here to view the meeting flyer.

​The Graves' Disease & Thyroid Foundation is celebrating its 25th anniversary this year! Founded in 1990 as the National Graves' Disease Foundation, the GDATF has been providing help and hope to patients and family members for two and a half decades!  Founder and Chair Emeritus Nancy Hord Patterson, Ph.D. (pictured left) recalls, “When I was initially diagnosed...I began to look for information, and for people to talk to that had faced the same concerns. When this proved impossible, I began an effort to start this Foundation. With the support of my Endocrinologist and Reconstructive surgeon, I was led to medical experts both nationally and internationally who were most willing to share their expertise.” When Dr. Lawrence C. Wood, founder of the Thyroid Foundation of America, joined our organization as a director, our focus expanded to assisting patients with Graves' disease, thyroid eye disease, Hashimoto's thyroiditis, thyroid nodules, and related disorders.

Without access to email or Internet, the Foundation’s early communications were accomplished primarily via phone and snail mail. Today, the Foundation provides a full range of services, including:

Champps in West Chester, OH is teaming up with the Graves’ Disease & Thyroid Foundation (GDATF) to support individuals with Graves’ disease and other thyroid related disorders.  Champps, located at 9424 Civic Center Boulevard, will host a celebration to benefit GDATF on Thursday, June 25, 2015. 

The party will be held from 6 p.m. – 9 p.m., where guests are invited to enjoy a complimentary sampling of Champps’ signature dishes, including Harvest Chopped Salad, Chipotle BBQ Burger, Pepper Seared Ahi Tuna Tacos and Calamari Fritti.

Featured signature cocktails include Grand Sangria, Island Rum Punch and Champps Long Island Tea for $4 each; draft beer will be available for $3 each.

Champps will donate 10% of sales for the entire day and night of Thursday, June 25 to GDATF, which provides help and hope for people with Graves’ disease and other thyroid related disorders, as well as education and support for their family members, caregivers, friends and healthcare professionals.

"It is critical that patients with thyroid dysfunction receive a timely diagnosis.  In particular, untreated Graves' disease can cause bone and muscle wasting, heart complications, and a potentially fatal condition called thyroid storm.  Unfortunately, symptoms are often mistaken for stress, anxiety disorders, or other issues, which can delay much-needed treatment,” said Kimberly Dorris, GDATF Executive Director and CEO.  “The GDATF is grateful to Champps and to Jessica Gabbard for raising awareness of this important issue in the Ohio community."

Champps in West Chester offers 32 High Definition TVs; nearly 100 kinds of beer, including 32 beers on tap, 22 craft beers and 10 local beers; and a deliciously crafted menu for sharing, snacking and dining.

Champps in West Chester is open seven days a week from 11 a.m. to 12 a.m. Sunday – Wednesday and 11 a.m. to 1 a.m. Thursday – Saturday.  For more information, reservations or to book a private event, call Champps at (513) 759-6315, or visit us at www.champps.com on Facebook and Twitter.

The Graves’ Disease & Thyroid Foundation will host a patient outreach event on Saturday, May 16th from 2:30-4:00 p.m. at atmalogy (Create Room), 2320 West End Ave., Nashville, TN  37203.  Please join us to:

* Connect with fellow patients and family members.
* Ask questions about treatment options.
* Learn about patient service offerings from the Graves’ Disease & Thyroid Foundation.
* Find out how you can start a support group in your own community.

***Update:  Please click here to watch the segment!***

Don’t miss The Balancing Act airing on Lifetime Television® on March 12th & March 19th at 7:30 a.m. for a special segment on Graves' disease!  The program will feature GDATF Director Dr. Nicole McDonald sharing her daughter's journey with Graves' disease as well as Dr. Mark Lupo from the Thyroid & Endocrine Center of Florida.  Please check your local listings for additional information.