USA Thalidomide Survivors

10/14/2026

The National Organization for Women (NOW) is sharing our info!!

In the 1950s and 1960s, doctors gave the drug thalidomide to pregnant patients without telling them — and without FDA approval. Now those patients' children want recognition.

10/06/2026

USA THALIDOMIDE SURVIVORS in the rotunda of the Cannon office building, Washington DC.

10/05/2026

https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/sixty-years-later-and-thalidomide-is-still-with-us/
Scientific American ran this article about the "Lost Women of Science" podcast featuring many of our survivors one year ago . . . still a good read and listen!!

Decades after FDA medical examiner Frances Oldham Kelsey stopped thalidomide from going on the market in the U.S., the legacy of the drug persists

09/27/2026

This podcast featuring several of our members and author Jennifer Vanderbes was originally aired on Ohio Public radio and today went national!

In the 1950s and 1960s, doctors gave the drug thalidomide to pregnant patients without telling them — and without FDA approval. Now those patients' children want recognition.

09/24/2026

Fun on the Metro!!

09/24/2026

Meetings held today, Thursday, September 24: we met with staffers from the offices of Dina Titus from Nevada; Tom Tiffany of Wisconsin; Analilia Mejia of New Jersey; Emily Randall of Washington state; and Brittany Patterson of Colorado. 

09/24/2026

The 45 minute Metro ride from our hotel into DC. Destination: the Cannon office building.

09/24/2026

Thursday meeting with the office of Tom Tiffany of Wisconsin.

09/24/2026

Jennifer Jennifer Vanderbes and Jean C Jean Grover OConnor, as well as the crew that ran around during our free time, dropping off books and cards to congresspeople on the committees that our bill will go through.

06/03/2026

FINISHING THE FIGHT!!
JOIN US for the 7th "Annual" USATS Conference

September 20 - 25th, 2026
Washington DC
Join us for a week of learning, taking action, hanging out with other survivors and fun!
9/20 *Check-in at Washington Dulles Marriott Suites
*Mingle with other survivors
*Hospitality Suite may be open to hang out in the evening
9/21 *Free hot breakfast at the hotel's restaurant (2 free breakfasts per room)
*Join us for a day of fun, informative and interactive sessions, and activities at the hotel
*Hospitality Suite open to hang out in the evening
9/22 *Free hot breakfast at the hotel's restaurant (2 free breakfasts per room)
*Take action on the Hill (email [email protected]) for information on helping to schedule meetings with your representative's office)
*Hospitality Suite open to hang out in the evening
9/23 *Free hot breakfast at the hotel's restaurant (2 free breakfasts per room)
*Take action on the Hill (email [email protected]) for information on helping to schedule meetings with your representative's office)
*Hospitality Suite open to hang out in the evening
/24 *Free hot breakfast at the hotel's restaurant (2 free breakfasts per room)
*Take action on the Hill (email [email protected]) for information on helping to schedule meetings with your representative's office)
*Group photos
* Group Dinner at Inchins Bamboo Garden - an Asian fusion restaurant (USATS will help with cost of the entree)
*Hospitality Suite open to hang out following the dinner
9/25 *Free hot breakfast at the hotel's restaurant (2 free breakfasts per room)
* Check-out by 1:00 PM

Registration for the conference can be found at: https://usthalidomide.org/2026conferencepost/ . Early bird registration is $50 per person until July 1st. After that, the on-time registration fee is $60. The on-time registration period lasts until August 24, 2026. Conference registration page has more details and information about the conference.
There is limited financial assistance to help individuals attend the conference. For more information, send an email to Gwen Riechmann at [email protected]. Deadline quickly approaching.

Once you register, you will receive a confirmation email with a link to make your hotel reservation. This link will give you the special rate for our group. If you need an ADA Mobility accessibility, or an ADA Hearing accessibility room, please let Gwen Riechmann at [email protected] know. A number of ADA rooms have already been held under USATS and Gwen will help you get one of these rooms transferred to you.
This year for the first time, polo shirts will be available for purchase when you register early bird. They will be an ash(light) gray with the USATS logo over the left chest. They are available in sizes XS – 6X. Prices range from $15.00 - $17.50 depending on the size ordered. Deadline for ordering shirts is July 1, 2026. They will be handed out at the conference. More information can be found on the conference registration page - https://usthalidomide.org/2026conferencepost/ .
For further information regarding the conference, please reach out to Gwen Riechmann ([email protected]), Coleen Fryer ([email protected]) or Lori Kay ([email protected]) .
Hope to see you there!