News 2021

Tuesday 21st December 2021
Croatia 2022: Abstract deadline extended, Family Meeting expanded
The deadline for abstract submission for the 12^th Biennial International 22q11.2 Conference has been extended to February 22^nd, 2022. Please visit the Call for Abstracts page for more information.

In addition, one full day has been added to the Family Meeting, which will now take place from June 26^th to 28^th, 2022. Please visit our Meetings page for more information.
Friday 12th November 2021
Light up buildings to raise awareness for 22q
For individuals with 22q, early diagnosis allow for better management and outcome. However, 22q is an under-recognized complex condition, which often contributes to delays in diagnoses. This past November 22^nd, buildings multiple countries were lit in red to raise awareness for 22q. Please see our section on Luces por el 22q - Lighting the 22q for photos and details.
Tuesday 5th October 2021
Stanfords 3rd Biennial 22q11 Deletion Syndrome Virtual Symposium
Wednesday, November 10, 2021
8:00 - 1:00 PM PST
Register

Stanford's 3rd Biennial 22q11 Deletion Syndrome Virtual Symposium will bring together an interdisciplinary community of clinicians, basic scientists and translational investigators to highlight new research and emerging topics in 22q11.2 Deletion Syndrome (22q11.2DS), and aims to foster close interdisciplinary discourse. This scientific meeting will include the following sessions: Genetics, Genomics and Development, with an overall theme of understanding the mechanisms underlying clinical variability in 22q11.2DS. The virtual symposium will launch a regular seminar series featuring new research in 22q11.2DS throughout 2022 and beyond.

Register for the event here.

The symposium is a biennial meeting jointly sponsored by the Stanford Maternal and Child Health Research Institute (MCHRI) and Stanford Center for Definitive and Curative Medicine (CDCM).
Friday 14th May 2021
22q at the Zoom 2021
The 11^th Annual 22q at the Zoo – Worldwide Awareness Day will take place on May 16, 2021 (Sunday) as a virtual event entitled: 22q at the ZooM. The agenda below is also available as a pdf. For more information, please visit the event website.
Thursday 13th May 2021
Responses to the Washington Post regarding an inaccurate article about 22q
The 22q11.2 community is responding to perceived inaccuracies and unsubstantiated medical recommendations in a Washington Post article of May 1^st, 2021. The article in question is "Doctors said the boy was suffering from teenage psychosis. What he really had was a rare genetic condition.".

The genetic condition the article refers to is 22q11.2 deletion syndrome. Here are some of the letters that 22q experts have written to the Washington Post.

22q Society's Response to the Washington Post

IBBC's Response to the Washington Post

International 22q11.2 Foundation's Response to the Washington Post

22q11.2 Society Advisor, Dr. Emily Gallagher, also submitted a letter to the Editor advising caution for the use of the investigative drug discussed in the article. Further, she went on to encourage any families who are considering taking medications for the treatment of 22q11.2 Deletion Syndrome to reach out to a specialized multidisciplinary team to discuss their options so they can make an informed and safe decision. This letter was released by the Washington Post on May 12^th, 2021.