New name - nothing's changed! We are celebrating the 25th Anniversary of the Chromosome 18 Annual Conference this year under the new name Chromosome 18 Decoded.  The 2018 Chromosome 18 Decoded will be held at the   Renaissance Baltimore Harborplace Hotel    from Monday, July 2nd through Wednesday, July 4th in Baltimore, Maryland.  

Join us for an unforgettable experience and our biggest event of the year! Whether it is your first time attending, or your 25th time, you are sure to have fun. Meet new families, see old friends, and get the most up-to-date information on Chromosome 18! Curious about what Chromosome 18 Decoded is all about? Check out the Chromosome 18 Decoded Frequently Asked Questions.

Registration will be open starting February 1, and full details can be found by clicking below. In addition, there is a secure link to book your Marriott rooms directly with the hotel at the special Chromosome 18 room rate.

Courtney Sebold, Chromosome 18 Clinical Research Center's Genetic Counselor,  issued a new article, " Tackling Tetrasomy ",  which  highlights the challenges  and  studies of tetrasomy 18p.  See full article  here . 

We're looking for members to share their experiences via a short three to five minute video about their chromosome 18 condition and the  Chromosome 18 Registry & Research Society. Submitted videos may be featured on our  website, social media, and newsletter. 

Your stories will assist newly diagnosed families and help boost awareness of chromosome 18 conditions and the Chromosome 18 Registry & Research Society. 

For more information and submission details, contact Neale Parker at parkern@chromosome18.org or (210) 657-4968.

Volunteers are the cornerstone to our organization, hence this Volunteer Corner.  Without the time, help, ideas and dedication of our volunteers, we would not be able to offer our services across the country and the world.  

Please welcome Kelly Collins as our 18q- Syndrome Coordinator. We appreciate you stepping up to fill this important role and we know your experience and knowledge will be a value to the Chromosome 18 members you'll serve. Thank you to Katie Schilly who has moved from her role of 18q- Syndrome Coordinator to serve as the Vice President for Member Relations on the Chromosome 18 Executive Board. Congratulations Kelly and Katie!

We would also like to welcome Kristy Holder as our Volunteer Director of Marketing. Kristy stepped in to fill this role as Liz Woodfield transitioned into her potion as Vice President for Public Relations on the Chromosome 18 Executive Board. Thank you, Kristy and Liz!

This month we would like to recognize Stacey Gallardo for all the wonderful ways she gives to Chromosome 18.   Stacey has served as Southeast Regional Coordinator and currently serves as Director of Social Media where she keeps our  website, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram up-to-date.  She is always coming up with creative ways to give back to the organization from Superbowl Pool Boards to selling a goat (one of our biggest single-family fundraisers).  Get to know Stacey - full bio here.

Stacey & Amelia Gallardo

Looking for ways to volunteer for Chromosome 18?  We are looking for members to help serve on our Chromosome 18 Grant Committee which will be headed by Kathy Borello .  If you would like to help with the planning, preparing and submitting of corporate, foundation and individual grants, please contact the office, office@chromosome18.org or (210) 657-4968.

If you would like to help with the upcoming Chromosome 18 Decoded, consider serving on the 2018 Conference Committee. You don't need to attend or live in the area to assist. Contact the 2018 Conference Chair, Nichole McVicker, mcvickern@chromosome18.org.

March 4th - Martini Fundraiser  - Shavano Park Tennis Club, San Antonio, TX - 6:00 - 9:00 p.m. - Contact  Neale Parker 

April 18th  (tentative) - Great Plains Starfish Pub Crawl - Normal, IN - Contact Kerry Connolly for more information.

April 27th - Starfish Scramble - San Antonio, TX - Contact the Chromosome 18 Office for more information.