What to Expect at the Autoimmune Community Summit

The Autoimmune Community Summit: Your Resource for Empowerment and Wellness

Join Us Virtually on Thursday, October 17, and Friday, October 18!

Navigating life with autoimmune disease can often feel isolating and overwhelming. But there’s hope — and a vibrant, supportive community is here to welcome you. The Autoimmune Community Summit is a free, two-day virtual event designed to empower, educate, and connect everyone affected by autoimmune disease.

Whether you’re newly diagnosed, a long-time warrior, a caregiver, or simply interested in learning more, this summit is your go-to resource for insights, inspiration, and actionable steps to enhance your well-being.

Take Control of Your Autoimmune Journey

Autoimmune diseases are often misunderstood, and finding reliable information and support can be challenging. The Autoimmune Community Summit brings together top experts in autoimmune care to provide the knowledge and tools you need to manage your condition effectively and live your best life.

Here’s what you can look forward to:

• Expert Insights and Strategies for Every Stage of Your Journey: Whether you’re just beginning your diagnosis journey or managing the complexities of chronic illness, you’ll find sessions designed to meet you where you are. Learn how to advocate for yourself, understand scientific research findings, and connect with the resources you need to live your best life.
• Connect from Anywhere: The Autoimmune Community Summit is entirely virtual! You can join from the comfort of your home, your favorite coffee shop, or wherever you feel most comfortable. No matter where you are, you can be a part of this incredible event. Plus, it’s absolutely free!
• Learn from Leading Experts: Our summit features a dynamic lineup of speakers, including healthcare providers, physicians, scientists, registered dietitians, social workers, policy experts, and patient advocates. You’ll hear directly from those who understand the unique challenges of autoimmune diseases and are working on the frontlines of research, treatment, and advocacy.
• Walk Away Empowered: Our sessions are designed not just to inform but to empower you. Whether you’re looking for ways to better manage your symptoms, understand the latest treatment options, or navigate the healthcare system, you’ll leave with practical steps you can take right away.

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Carefully Selected Topics that Address the Realities of Life with Autoimmune Diseases

Autoimmune diseases can affect nearly every aspect of life, from physical health to mental well-being, financial stability, and social relationships.

Living with an autoimmune disease can be an incredibly challenging and often isolating experience. On average, it takes about 4.5 years and visits to at least four different doctors to receive an accurate diagnosis, a journey filled with frustration and uncertainty. Even once a diagnosis is made, finding the right treatment can be a complicated process of trial and error. And it can be hard for others understand the daily reality of living with a chronic illness. Often, these diseases are “invisible,” and symptoms like pain, debilitating fatigue, and brain fog are not outwardly apparent. This can lead to a lack of empathy from others who may not understand why you can’t always keep up or why you’re frequently in pain or exhausted. Navigating these challenges while advocating for your health can feel like an uphill battle, making support, awareness, and education more crucial than ever.

That’s why this summit covers a broad range of topics — each carefully chosen to address the unique challenges faced by people living with autoimmune diseases.

Day 1: Thursday, October 17

Opening Keynote – Nitika Chopra: Raising Awareness with Your Story: Why, Where, and How!

Kicking off the summit is a keynote with Nitika Chopra, an advocate and voice for those with chronic illness. Sharing your story can be a transformative experience — both for yourself and for others. Nitika will share her personal journey with psoriatic arthritis and provide tips on how to use your story to raise awareness, foster community, and drive change.

Why This Matters: Personal stories can be incredibly powerful in raising awareness and fostering understanding of autoimmune diseases, which are often “invisible” and misunderstood by those not directly affected.

Shared Decision Making: Join rheumatologist Dr. Jennifer Barton and patient advocate Eileen Davidson to explore the concept of shared decision making (SDM), where patients and doctors collaborate to create treatment plans that align with the patient’s preferences and values.

Why This Matters: Research shows that patients who are actively involved in their care experience better health outcomes, increased satisfaction, and greater adherence to treatment plans. Learning how to effectively communicate and partner with your healthcare team is crucial for anyone managing a chronic condition.

Understanding Complex Research: Medical research can be dense and confusing, but staying informed is key to empowering yourself. This session will provide tools to help you make sense of complex research articles and have meaningful conversations with your healthcare provider about the latest findings.

Why This Matters: Being informed about the latest research can help you make educated decisions about your care. It also empowers you to have deeper, more productive discussions with your healthcare providers, leading to more personalized and effective treatment.

What Autoimmune Patients Should Know About Clinical Trials: Curious about clinical trials? Learn the ins and outs of participating in trials, how they work, and what benefits they might offer you.

Why This Matters: Clinical trials are a vital part of advancing medical knowledge and discovering new treatments. Understanding how they work can open new opportunities for care that may not be available through traditional methods.

Policy Update: Spotlight on 340B: Discover how community health centers and 340B hospitals can make care more affordable and learn how to advocate for the continuation of these crucial programs.

Why This Matters: Healthcare affordability remains a significant concern for many with autoimmune diseases. Understanding policy changes and knowing how to advocate for programs that make care accessible is vital for ensuring everyone gets the treatment they need.

Knowing Your Rights: Navigating the world of healthcare, employment, and insurance can be daunting. This session will provide you with essential information about your rights as a patient.

Why This Matters: Knowledge is power. Understanding your rights can help you navigate complex systems and advocate for yourself effectively, ensuring you get the support and care you deserve.

Autoimmune Association in Action: Get an insider look at the groundbreaking work being done by the Autoimmune Association in advocacy, awareness, education, and research.

Why This Matters: The collective voice and efforts of patient advocacy organizations are crucial for raising awareness, driving policy changes, providing education, and advancing research. This session shows you how the Autoimmune Association is creating hope, and how you can be part of that movement.

Day 2: Friday, October 18

Hot Topics in Autoimmune: What’s New and Exciting: Explore the latest advancements in autoimmune research, from environmental factors and the role of trauma in the development of autoimmune disease to cutting-edge technologies like AI.

Why This Matters: Staying up-to-date with emerging science can help you understand what new treatments and diagnostic tools might be on the horizon.

Simplifying Autoimmune Nutrition and Cooking: Learn practical tips to transform your kitchen into a space that supports your health.

Why This Matters: Diet and nutrition can play a significant role in managing symptoms and overall well-being. Knowing what foods to eat and how to prepare them can make a big difference in your health.

Ways to Reduce Autoimmune Pain: Join Dr. Afton Hassett as she shares the latest strategies for managing pain from autoimmune diseases.

Why This Matters: Pain is one of the most debilitating symptoms of autoimmune diseases, and learning how to manage it effectively can dramatically improve quality of life.

Fatigue Science & Tips for Reducing Fatigue: Fatigue is often one of the most pervasive symptoms of autoimmune diseases. This session provides practical tools to help you boost your energy levels.

Why This Matters: Fatigue can affect every aspect of daily life. Understanding the science behind it and learning strategies to manage it can help you maintain a better quality of life.

Realistic Wellness and Stress Management for Difficult Days: Get tips on improving mental wellness, even on the hardest days.

Why This Matters: Managing stress is crucial for overall health and can have a significant impact on autoimmune disease symptoms. Learning practical, realistic strategies can make all the difference on challenging days.

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Be Part of a Supportive Community

The Autoimmune Community Summit is not just a series of sessions — it’s a dynamic, interactive experience where you can engage directly with other participants. During each session, you’ll have the opportunity to chat with fellow attendees, share your thoughts, and ask questions. In the virtual event lobby, you can join themed conversations or even start your own discussion. This space is designed to foster a sense of community, encouraging participants to connect, learn from one another, and build supportive networks.

Additionally, the summit features a virtual exhibit hall where you can learn more about our partner organizations. Visit their virtual booths, explore their resources, and chat with team members to discover how they can support your journey.

You’ll also have the chance to share your own story and hear the experiences of others through personal narratives presented throughout the event, offering a powerful reminder that you’re not alone in your journey.

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Don’t Miss Out!

The Autoimmune Community Summit is a great opportunity to connect with others on a similar journey, learn from leading experts, and gain the knowledge and tools you need to take control of your autoimmune health.

Register today and join us on October 17 and 18 for an unforgettable event. Your journey to empowerment, education, and community starts here!

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