11th Annual ECD Patient & Family Gathering – Birmingham 2026
Erdheim-Chester Disease Global Alliance Announces 2026 Patient & Family Gathering.
Birmingham, AL — The Erdheim-Chester Disease Global Alliance (ECDGA) and UAB School of Medicine invites patients, families, healthcare professionals, and researchers to save the date.
- Patient & Family Gathering (PFG): April 29–30, 2026
Wednesday, April 29, 2026
Meet and Greet: 3:00 pm-5:00 pm
Location: Hilton at UAB Downtown
Thursday, April 30, 2026
Patient & Family Gathering: 8:00 am-4:30 pm
Location: Marnix E. Heersink Conference Center at the University of Alabama at Birmingham
Celebration Dinner: 6:00 pm-8:00 pm
Location: Hilton at UAB Downtown
This event will bring together the global Erdheim-Chester disease community with leading medical experts to share the latest research, clinical insights, and community resources. Attendees can expect educational sessions, opportunities to connect with peers, and updates on emerging treatments and patient care.
Further details on the hotel and program highlights will be released in the coming months.
NOTE: Register before February 1st to take advantage of the early bird registration cost! Save $100 USD and register for only $100 USD!
Mark Heaney Awareness Award & Community Champion Award
February 1st, 2026 – Last day to submit your nomination for the Mark Heaney Awareness Award & Community Champion Award.
- Please submit your nominations here.
- Mark Heaney Awareness Award. Nominate a medical professional who is working to improve the lives of ECD patients by bringing awareness to the disease within the medical profession.
- Community Champion Award. Nominate anyone (patient, caregiver, medical professional, friend, etc.) who has volunteered their time to help improve the lives of all of those impacted by ECD.
Contact:
Erdheim-Chester Disease Global Alliance
Email: support@erdheim-chester.org
Patient Poster – Submissions
February 1, 2026, is the last day to complete a Patient Poster for display at the Patient & Family Gathering. Please submit your poster information here!
Travel Scholarships
Travel Assistance – The Glenn Padnick Memorial Travel Fund Now accepting applications for the 2026 ECDGA Conference.
Glenn Padnick lived a full and impactful life while navigating Erdheim-Chester Disease (ECD) for decades. From 2011 to 2022, he served with unwavering dedication on the ECD Global Alliance Board of Directors, always ensuring that the voices and needs of patients remained central to every decision.
In honor of Glenn’s legacy of service and compassion, his family generously established the Glenn Padnick Memorial Travel Fund. This fund provides financial assistance to help patients, caregivers, and medical professionals attend the annual ECD conference for those who may not otherwise be able to participate due to financial constraints.
Applications are now open for travel assistance for the 2026 ECD Conference. Funding is limited, and priority will be given to individuals who have never attended the event before. Our goal is to make this opportunity available to as many community members as possible with the resources available.
Application Deadline: February 1, 2026 Award Notifications: No later than March 1, 2026
Apply Here: Glenn Padnick Memorial Travel Fund Request.
Conference Hotel & Travel Information
Conference Hotel
Hilton Birmingham at UAB
808 20th Street South
Birmingham, AL 35205
Phone: +1 (659) 251-1934
A block of rooms has been reserved at the Hilton Birmingham at UAB for conference attendees.
Rooms must be reserved by April 6, 2026, to receive the group rate.
Airport Transportation
Birmingham–Shuttlesworth International Airport (BHM)
Complimentary shuttle service is available from the Birmingham airport to the hotel and is provided directly by the Hilton Downtown at UAB.
To use the shuttle:
- Collect your luggage.
- Call the hotel at 205-933-9000 to request the shuttle.
- Proceed to Door #4L and wait for the bus marked “Hilton.”
Traveling via Atlanta
Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL) is approximately 3 hours from Birmingham and offers direct international flights to most countries. Shuttle services are available between the Atlanta airport and Birmingham for travelers arriving through ATL.
