HOW SPARK STARTED
The ELPFDD-Externally Led Patient-Focused Drug Development Meeting
We partnered with the National Kidney Foundation to bring awareness about the burdens patients face while on their IgAN journey. Over 180 patients, academia, and industry members attended the event. The goal was to express our desperate need for better treatments for IgAN while also addressing the need to accelerate the pathways to bring them to market. This was a global effort and we had over 300 virtual attendees from all over the world. For many, this was the first time they ever met another person with IgA Nephropathy
WHY SPARK?
When you get a group of people with a common goal aka real treatment and cure for IgA Nephropathy – we create a SPARK. No one should face IgAN alone.
WHAT IS SPARK?
SPARK is a 2-day symposium hosted by The IgA Nephropathy Foundation for IgA Nephropathy patients and their caregivers to learn about the disease, living with the disease, and being a caregiver for those with the disease. It promises to be an information-packed event with plenty of time for mingling with others and sharing your stories.
As a family member I came away with the knowledge I needed to be a donor champion for my daughter. I knew that if a question I didn’t think to ask while there I came home with the resources and connections to find the info on my own. But I no longer felt “on my own”.
2022 SPARK ATTENDEE
The ONLY Event Dedicated to IgAN Patients and Families
WHAT IS INCLUDED IN REGISTRATION?
Early Bird Registration is $100/per person [REGISTER BY MARCH 15th TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THIS OFFER]
Registration is $150/per person ***This pricing is for patients and caregivers only.
Registration includes a maximum of 2 people per room and single occupancy for those traveling alone.
Children 12 and under are FREE, but still require registration.
- Hotel Accommodations based on (double occupancy) for 2 Nights
- Welcome to SPARK Austin Swag Kit: Lanyard, Badge, Notebook, Pen, T-Shirt, Bag, and more!
- Access to all Spark Sessions
- Access to Exhibit Hall
Meals Included:
All meals will be labeled clearly to be inclusive of all dietary restrictions, please be sure to include during registration
Friday, July 26th Cocktail Reception + Dinner
Saturday, July 27th Breakfast, Lunch, Snacks and IgAN Roaring 20’s Celebration
Sunday, July 28 Breakfast, Snack
AGENDA
Friday, July 26th – Sunday, July 28th
JW Marriott Austin Hotel
110 EAST 2ND STREET
AUSTIN, TEXAS, USA, 78701
Event Kick Off is Friday, July 26th at 5:00PM
All day sessions with off-site party on Saturday, July 27th
Sunday, July 28th Sessions will end around 1:00PM
***2024 Full Session Details + Speaker Bios Coming Soon***
Friday, July 26
IgAN Foundation Welcome Reception
Meet your IgAN Community
Food/Drinks/Prizes
Exhibit Hall – Meet our partners and sponsors
Live Performance – David Rush
Saturday, July 27
IgAN Foundation Welcome + Update – IgAN Foundation Leadership
MAIN Keynote – David Rush
Latest in IgAN – Jonathan Barratt, MD
Nutrition + IgAN Cooking Demo – Emma Ryan + Lauren Levy, MS, RDN, CSR
LUNCH
Breakout Session 1
Understanding Your Labs – Dr. Brad Rovin
Preparing for Dialysis and/or Transplant – Speaker to be announced soon
Breakout Session 2
Breaking Down Barriers: Understanding the Language of Kidney Biopsy Reports – Dr. Jared Hassler
Guiding Lights: Caregiver Perspectives on Living with IgA Nephropathy– moderated by Alena Riddick
Breakout Session 3
Explaining IgAN to children and family – Dr. Ken Sutha
Post Transplant – What to Expect [panel session with IgAN Ambassadors]– moderated by Chris Scroggins
Breakout Session 4
Navigating Health Insurance & Benefits – Ami Gopalan
Family Planning with IGAN – Whitney Simmons
IgAN Foundation Roaring 20’s Celebration
Themed attire encouraged [for a chance to win prizes]
Food/Drinks/Dancing
Special IgAN Foundation Announcement – you won’t want to miss
Sunday, July 28
Navigating Stress and Sleep: A Comprehensive Approach to Wellbeing – Aileen Axtmayer
Patient Panel – moderated by Gisela Delgado
Breakout Session
Pediatric IgAN – Areefa Karan, MD
Learn about Kidney Donation [panel with living donors] – moderated by John Marsala
YOU ARE NOT ALONE [interactive group session]- moderated by our Monthly Support Call leaders
Please plan accordingly and don’t book an early flight home on Sunday, July 28th. We have lots of surprises in store until closing remarks at 1:00PM
FAQs
Why should I attend SPARK?
You are not alone in your diagnosis of IgA Nephropathy. SPARK is the only conference dedicated to the IgA Nephropathy community hosted by The IgA Nephropathy Foundation for IgA Nephropathy patients and their families to learn about the disease, living with the disease, and being a caregiver for those with the disease.
When and Where is SPARK?
Friday, July 26th – Sunday, July 28th
JW Marriott Austin Hotel
110 EAST 2ND STREET
AUSTIN, TEXAS, USA, 78701
How much does it cost to attend?
Early Bird Registration is $100/per person [REGISTER BY MARCH 15th TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THIS OFFER]
Registration is $150/per person. ***This pricing is for patients and caregivers only.
What’s included in my Registration?
Registration includes a maximum of 2 people per room and single occupancy for those traveling alone.
Children 12 and under are FREE, but still require registration. ***Families traveling together may choose to stay in one room but all attendees of SPARK require registration for safety reasons.
- Hotel Accommodations based on (double occupancy) for 2 Nights. YOU ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR BOOKING
- Welcome to SPARK Austin Swag Kit: Lanyard, Badge, Notebook, Pen, T-Shirt, Bag, and more!
- Access to all Spark Sessions
- Access to Exhibit Hall
Hotel Reservations
After you register for SPARK, you are responsible for making your hotel reservations. Your registration fee includes (2 nights stay) accommodations for Fri, July 26 and Sat, July 27
***You will need to put down a credit card for incidentals but it will not be charged at the time of booking.
***Your booking confirmation will show the full amount of reservation but it will not be charged.
***You can choose to extend your stay, book more nights at your own expense. You will be charged for anything over 2 nights stay at hotel check-in.
***Bank/ATM Cards sometimes let charges through. We suggest using a credit card for booking.
cancellation Policy
Cancel by June 20th for a FULL REFUND on registration. Any cancellations after June 20th will not be refunded. No shows subject to full costs including hotel room rate of $249/night.
What is the Event’s Covid Policy
All attendees are required to participate in onsite COVID testing. We recommend that you test prior to travel as well.
Meeting attendees will receive additional communication closer to the event date clearly detailing requirements regarding COVID-19 diagnostic testing as well as requirements for completing daily health attestation while attending the event. Masks will be optional but encouraged. This policy is subject to change based on latest CDC guidelines.
How Many Sessions Can I Attend
You are encouraged to attend as many as possible.
Is There a Virtual Option?
No. This year the event will be in person only.
I need To Inquire About an Accommodation Due to A Disability
We strive to host inclusive, accessible events that enable all individuals, including individuals with disabilities, to engage fully. To request an accommodation or for inquiries about accessibility, please contact us at info@igan.org
Is There any Financial Aid for SPARK?
Yes! We want as many patients and patient families to attend SPARK. Financial Aid for SPARK is open to non US Residents on a case by case basis. All Applicants must be registered members of The IgA Nephropathy Foundation and have a Verification of Diagnosis Form on file. (1) One Grant Application per family. Please share your story and fill out the application HERE
PARTICIPATE IN A PATIENT PANEL
NETWORK WITH FELLOW IGAN WARRIORS
HEAR FROM IGAN EXPERTS
MAKE NEW FRIENDS
