Our 2024 Global Virtual Conference connected people living with genetic aortic and vascular
conditions, their loved ones, health providers, and researchers from around the world. This unique
event holistically explored the many facets of life with Marfan, Loeys-Dietz, VEDS, and related
conditions. One of the benefits of a virtual event was the additional access it created around the
globe.
Marta Dias of Lisbon, Portugal shared, “Virtual Conference is very helpful because I can learn more
about what is happening today. Technology gives us the opportunity to be able to connect to one
another so that I can express to my local doctors what is going on [with the latest in Loeys-Dietz
syndrome (LDS) expertise] and help them make a better diagnosis.” Dias stated that she can’t get to
the U.S. readily, so she cherished the virtual option.
1,700+ people registered for Conference which spanned five days, offering participants the chance
to hear from medical experts, see close friends and meet new ones during break-out sessions. Our
opening session set a tone that focused on both mental and physical well-being, and we wrapped
up Conference with a virtual Victory Party.
Among registrants, over 1,400 were members of the Marfan, Loeys-Dietz, VEDS, and related
conditions communities, and living up to our global promise, our conference reached 56 countries with our highest rates of attendance outside of the U.S. from Canada, the United Kingdom, and Australia, in that order. Likewise, we were fortunate to welcome participants from countries including South Africa, India, Italy, and Japan, to name a few.
We were overjoyed to also welcome new members to our community, reaching 417 self-identified
new contacts by the end of our Conference. Our Global Conference was also fortunate enough to
receive 134 donations, accumulating over $4,000.
Next year’s Conference and Health Fair will take place in-person July 10-13 in downtown Atlanta, Georgia. Details will be shared as they become available.
The Marfan Foundation is a nonprofit organization that saves lives and improves the quality of life of individuals with genetic aortic and vascular conditions including Marfan, Loeys-Dietz, and Vascular Ehlers-Danlos syndromes. Our vision is a world in which everyone with genetic aortic and vascular conditions can live their best life.