Helping Hands for GAND

06/18/2026

🚨 Registration Closes at Midnight on June 19! 🚨

This is your final opportunity to register for the 2026 GAND Gathering & Scientific Conference!

In just a few short weeks, families, caregivers, clinicians, and researchers from around the world will come together at Great Wolf Lodge in Gurnee, Illinois for a weekend of learning, connection, support, and hope. 💜🧬

Whether you're attending for the first time or returning to reconnect with your GAND family, this conference offers a unique opportunity to build relationships, learn from experts, share experiences, and help move GAND research forward.

⏰ Registration closes at MIDNIGHT on June 19.
Don't miss your chance to be part of this incredible gathering.

📅 July 16–18, 2026
📍 Great Wolf Lodge | Gurnee, IL

Register now before it's too late!

06/14/2026

🚨 LAST CALL TO REGISTER! 🚨

The countdown is on! Registration for the 2026 GAND Gathering & Scientific Conference closes on June 19.

This gathering is more than a conference—it's a place for connection, understanding, support, and shared progress. We can't wait to bring together families, caregivers, clinicians, and researchers from around the world this July at Great Wolf Lodge in Gurnee, Illinois. 💙🧬

📅 Conference Dates: July 16–18, 2026
⏰ Registration Deadline: June 19

A few important reminders:

✅ Register for the conference:
https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/ticketing/5th-gand-gathering-and-scientific-conference

✅ Childcare is available for attendees ages 17 and under (advance registration required through the event registration form).

✅ For GAND young adults (18+) who may need supervision, please contact Lynn Wills for additional information.

🏨 Book your hotel using group code 2026GAND (limited room availability):
https://www.greatwolf.com/illinois/waterpark-attractions/indoor-water-park

If you've been thinking about joining us, now is the time to secure your spot. We would love to see you there and don't want you to miss this incredible opportunity to learn, connect, and build community together.

Questions? Contact our event planner, Lynn Wills, at [email protected] or 845-321-1928.

*Link to Agenda in comments*

06/05/2026

🐺 Our 5th GAND Gathering and Scientific Conference is heading to Great Wolf Lodge in Gurnee, IL in just 5 weeks 🎉 July 16-18, 2026.
This isn’t your average conference venue. Between sessions, you’ll have access to some seriously amazing amenities right on-site:
🌊 Indoor/outdoor water park
🧗 Rock climbing wall
⛳ Mini golf
🎳 Bowling
🧸 Build-A-Bear Workshop
…and so much more!
REGISTER and book your hotel by June 19th
Registration details — you won’t want to miss this one! 👇

05/30/2026

⏰ Last chance this weekend! ⏰

Our “1 in 500” GAND milestone shirt campaign is coming to a close, and this weekend is your final opportunity to order in this round of printing! 💜

Whether you wear “I Love 1 in 500” as a proud supporter or “I Am 1 of 500” to celebrate one of the incredible individuals in our community, every shirt helps raise awareness, start conversations, and honor this amazing milestone of 500 diagnosed worldwide.

Don’t miss your chance to be part of this special moment! Grab yours before orders close this weekend. 👇

https://www.bonfire.com/i-love-1-of-500/

https://www.bonfire.com/i-am-1-of-500/

Show support for the 1 of 500 living with GAND in your life!. GATAD2B-associated neurodevelopmental disorder (GAND) is a rare genetic syndrome with just over 500 cases...

05/16/2026

💙 500 diagnosed. 500 stories. One incredible community. 💙

To honor this powerful milestone for GAND, we’re excited to launch our “1 in 500” shirt campaign!

Choose your favorite:
✨ “I Love 1 in 500” — for the family members, friends, supporters, and champions walking beside our loved ones
✨ “I Am 1 of 500” — for the incredible individuals who make this community so special

Every shirt helps spread awareness, spark conversations, and remind the world that rare is powerful—and no family walks this journey alone.

Join us in celebrating our 500th diagnosis and helping shine a light on GAND. 💙

*LINKS IN COMMENTS*

05/14/2026

Today, on Apraxia Awareness Day, we proudly raise awareness for a challenge that impacts 100% of individuals with GAND (GATAD2B-associated neurodevelopmental disorder)—childhood apraxia of speech 💙🧬

For our community, apraxia is more than a diagnosis. It represents countless hours of therapy, determination, alternative ways of communicating, and incredible milestones that deserve to be celebrated.

At Helping Hands for GAND, we honor every sound, every sign, every button pressed, every word spoken, and every unique voice finding its way.

Join us today in spreading awareness, advocating for access to communication, and celebrating the strength and resilience of individuals with GAND and apraxia.

Because every voice matters—even when it sounds different. 🗣️💙

05/14/2026

⏰ Last chance for Early Bird pricing! ⏰

Tomorrow, May 15, is the FINAL day to register at Early Bird rates for the 5th GAND Gathering & Scientific Conference 🌟🧬

Join families, caregivers, and researchers from around the world as we come together to learn, connect, and move GAND research and support forward.

Starting Saturday, May 16, registration will increase by $25 per person—so don’t wait!

💜 Your registration includes conference sessions, Thursday evening reception, and meals on Friday & Saturday.
👧 Childcare during conference sessions is available with advance registration.

Secure your spot today and be part of this unforgettable weekend with our GAND community!

05/13/2026

500 Diagnosed. 500 Stories. One Strong Community.

05/12/2026

📣🐾 **2026 GAND Gathering & Scientific Conference – Don’t Miss Out!**

Take a look at our exciting agenda preview for this year’s GAND Gathering at Great Wolf Lodge in Gurnee, Illinois! From meaningful conference sessions to family connections, sibling support, and plenty of fun at the waterpark—this is a weekend you won’t want to miss. 💜

🗓 **July 16–18, 2026**

✨ Connect with other GAND families
✨ Learn from experts & researchers
✨ Build lasting friendships and support systems

⏰ **Important Reminder:** Early bird pricing ends **May 15th**! Be sure to register soon to secure your spot and save.

We can’t wait to come together as a community again—it truly is something special. 💫

🔗Register today and join us for an unforgettable weekend!

10/06/2025

We're so grateful to all our supporters for a great September raising awareness and funds for GAND. Thank you to all of the donors and fundraisers who helped us not only meet but exceed our campaign goal for the month. We love our community! 💜💚
https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/peer-to-peer/2025-gand-awareness-month