Grant: Planning and Dissemination Grant - Institute Community Support

About 1 in 3,000 babies are born with a missing piece of DNA on chromosome 22. This condition is called "22q11.2 deletion syndrome" (abbreviated here as "22q"). Babies born with 22q have a high risk of having birth defects, learning difficulties, and other health problems in childhood and later on through life. Some people with 22q are severely affected and some have better outcomes, even though they have the same deletion. The region on chromosome 22 that is involved in causing 22q is also associated with other genetic changes that can cause other health conditions. Many scientists, doctors and other clinicians from around the world are working to increase our understanding about 22q. This includes finding what exactly leads to the effects on health and development, why these effects differ between different people with the same genetic change, and why the health problems can affect many areas of the body. New knowledge in this area could help to improve the care for people with 22q and other related conditions. Since 1998, researchers and clinicians from around the world have held a meeting every two years dedicated to 22q and related conditions. For the first time in 20 years this meeting will be held in Canada in 2018 on July 11, 12 and 13 - in Whistler, BC. The main goals of the 2018 international meeting on 22q related conditions are: 1.Networking and sharing knowledge 2.Planning new international research studies 3.Updating clinical practice guidelines 4.Developing a network of 22q clinics across Canada. This "Scientific symposium" is organized by the 22q11.2 Society (www.22qsociety.org). The Society has also organized a companion Family conference July 14 and 15 in Whistler for people with 22q and related conditions and their families. Together, families, scientists, students, educators, and clinicians from all backgrounds and from all over the world will help achieve the meeting goals.