News

The staff and Board members of the Graves’ Disease & Thyroid Foundation (GDATF) would like to extend our condolences to the family and friends of former first lady Barbara Bush, who passed away yesterday at age 92.  Mrs. Bush was diagnosed with Graves' disease in 1989, but never let the condition define her or limit her potential. Her tireless advocacy for literacy and other charitable causes – especially after her diagnosis – is an inspiration to Graves’ patients everywhere. Mrs. Bush will always be remembered for her kindness.  President and Mrs. Bush once sent a typewritten letter of support to GDATF founder Nancy Hord Patterson, and Mrs. Bush wrote a letter to attendees of the GDATF's first patient conference.​​ Dr. Larry Wood, founder and past president of the Thyroid Foundation of America (TFA) and a former GDATF Board member, reacalls that Mrs. Bush's appearance at a TFA fundraiser made a significant impact on the organization's success, and he is grateful for her support. 

***Space Still Available - Register Today!***

Click here to register for the GDATF's 2018 Patient & Family Conference! The event will take place at the Hilton San Diego Airport/Harbor Island from Thursday night, June 14th to Sunday morning, June 17th.

*SCHEDULE POSTED: Click here to view
*REGISTRATION SCHOLARSHIPS AVAILABLE: Click here to apply!
* SINGLE-DAY REGISTRATIONS AVAILABLE FOR $99!

The GDATF’s most recent multi-day conference was hosted in San Diego in 2012. This event was the last of a 19-year streak of patient conferences, branded “A Bridge to Wellness.” In 2013, the GDATF moved away from hosting an annual multi-day conference and instead began scheduling multiple 1/2 day events each year in various locations across the country. This approach has allowed us to reach patients from all over the country at little or no cost to attendees; however, we’ve received feedback from members who miss the old format, which featured in-depth presentations, and an extended opportunity to connect with physicians and fellow patients. We hope that you will join us!

Do you have questions about surgery as a treatment option for hyperthyroidism due to Graves' disease? Join Dr. Rebecca Sippel, MD for a live webinar on Friday, November 17th from 3-4 pm CST. Dr. Sippel is the Chief of Endocrine Surgery at the University of Wisconsin and a well-respected thyroid surgeon. She treats both children and adults with Graves’ disease and will discuss the different treatment options for Graves’ and the pros and cons of surgical treatment. There will be time at the end for questions and answers. Please click here to register for the event - even if you are unable to join the live webcast, you will receive an email link to a recording of the webinar after the event!

The American Thyroid Association will convene this week in Victoria, BC for its 87th Annual Meeting! If you are in the area, please check out these events for both patients and physicians!

PATIENTS: The GDATF is excited to be participating in the ATA's Alliance for Patient Education Public Health Forum this Saturday, October 21 from 2-4 p.m. at the Fairmont Empress. This will be an excellent opportunity to ask questions of thyroid experts and patient advocates. Please click this link for more info from the American Thyroid Association!

PHYSICIANS: On Friday, October 20th at 6:00 a.m., Quidel will host an early riser satellite symposium, "TSH Receptor Antibodies: Methodology and Clinical Relevance." Please click here to view the event flyer or to RSVP.

Registration is now open for our FREE patient education events in Baltimore and Boston!

Baltimore: Sunday, Oct. 8th (during the ThyCa annual meeting for thyroid cancer survivors).
Click here for Baltimore Registration.