The 2023 Family Forum, hosted in partnership with the Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario (CHEO), has successfully concluded. The event, which took place in person in Ottawa, Ontario and online, provided a valuable education and support opportunity for the Canadian Duchenne and Becker muscular dystrophy community. With nearly 200 participants and 20 international speakers, the weekend was filled with engaging information, inspiring connections, and hope for the future.

“We extend our heartfelt gratitude to all the attendees, sponsors, and speakers for being an integral part of the 2023 Family Forum. Our mission is to provide a nurturing space that empowers our families with the essential tools, knowledge, resources, and connections. We sincerely hope that the Family Forum has equipped you with the needed support and information, enhancing your ability to navigate life with the challenges posed by Duchenne muscular dystrophy.”

Rick Moss, Director of Strategic Partnerships at Defeat Duchenne Canada

Recordings

Did you miss this year’s conference, want to re-watch a session or send a link to a family member or friend? You can find the recordings on our YouTube channel, and be sure to subscribe to receive notifications of future educational videos. You can also find the individual recordings linked to each session in Whova.

Evaluation

Our goal is to create beneficial education and support opportunities for the Canadian Duchenne community, but we need your input! If you haven’t done so already, please take five minutes to share your feedback through our online survey.

Prizes & Participation

With 224 direct messages, 19 community board discussion posts, and ten photos shared, we thank you for using our event app, Whova. Congratulations to Melissa White, the most active member of our community on Whova throughout the weekend, and Riley Jonatschick, winners of the photo contest!

Need more time to connect with someone, watch a session, or review the Q&A? No problem! The Whova app (both desktop and mobile versions) will stay open and available for the next six months.

Photo Gallery

Finally, relive the cherished memories of the 2023 Family Forum through the photo gallery:

Stay tuned for the announcement of the date for the 2024 Family Forum, which will be communicated in the new year. Defeat Duchenne Canada looks forward to hosting another inspiring gathering for the Duchenne community.