2026 MDF Regional Conference

Kansas City, Kansas
April 11, 2026

Register as a Community Member!
 

Join Us at the 2026 MDF Regional Conference in Kansas City!

The Myotonic Dystrophy Foundation invites you to attend the 2026 MDF Regional Conference in Kansas City, Kansas on April 11th! This one-day, in person conference, held in partnership with the University of Kansas Medical Center, will offer a robust program built for the DM community. The agenda will feature sessions from DM experts, updates about DM research, community panel discussions, and even a dance party! Check out the Program section below to learn more as updates are available.

MDF is thrilled to be hosting this event in partnership with the University of Kansas Medical Center, an important hub for DM research. Dr. Jeffrey M. Statland serves as the principal investigator for research studies in myotonic dystrophy. Jeffrey M. Statland, M.D. is a Professor of Neurology at the University of Kansas Medical Center in Kansas City, Kansas. His research background has centered primarily on describing the natural history of and response to therapy for neuromuscular diseases. He completed a neuromuscular fellowship in Experimental Therapeutics of Neurological Diseases at the University of Rochester Medical Center.

Interested in learning more about the myotonic dystrophy research and trials at University of Kansas Medical Center? Check out the studies below!

• Assessing Pediatric Endpoints in DM1 
  For more information contact Cassidy Nelson cnelson15@kumc.edu
• Study of ATX-01 in Participants with DM1
  For more information contact Cassidy Nelson cnelson15@kumc.edu
• Study of VX-670 in Adults with DM1
  For more information contact Ali Russo aciersdorff@kumc.edu
• Global Open-Label Extension Study of Del-desiran for the Treatment of DM1 
  For more information contact Osvaldo Plascencia oplascencia@kumc.edu
   

Registration Types and Fees

Registration is $20 USD per adult ticket and children 18 and under register free. Tickets include access to all general and breakout sessions, meals (breakfast, lunch, and reception), and other activities.  Click here to register now! >>>

Conference registration does NOT include your hotel room. 

Professional Registration

Professional registration for 2026 MDF Regional Conferences is by invitation only. Regional conferences will not feature a professional track. If you would like more information about attending the conference as a professional, please email info@myotonic.org.

Program

Each Regional Conference will include participation from local DM experts, researchers, and community members to provide a robust program including popular sessions from our past International Conferences. More detailed information on programming coming soon!

Note: The Regional Conference Sessions will be held as one primary community track and will not be split into multiple day-long Community Tracks. 

Looking for Juvenile-onset Adults (JOAs) Specific Sessions? This conference in Kansas City will feature a dedicated JOA space and program. The Montréal Regional Conference will also include a track for our Juvenile-onset Adults (JOAs). Join us for fun activities and sessions that are tailored specifically to our JOAs!

Conference Venue

MDF is working to find the perfect venue for this Conference. Check back here for the latest updates!

Financial Aid

Link to applications coming soon! MDF will be providing an opportunity to request financial support at varying tiers to attend a Regional Conference in person this year.

Dining & Dietary Needs

During Conference Registration, you will be asked about your plans to attend certain receptions and meals to help MDF and the caterer tailor meals to any dietary requirements and anticipate how much food to prepare. All in-person registrations include the following meals:

• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Hors d’oeuvres & beverages
• All day coffee/tea are also included

Hotel Discount

MDF is working on securing discounts at local hotels, so if you would like to take advantage of those rates hold off on booking your hotel for now!

Transportation

2026 Regional Conference Attendees traveling by plane can use the Kansas City International Airport.

Visitors seeking transportation to the Regional Conference location have a variety of options, including taxi service, ride-sharing apps, and public transportation. Please note that attendees are responsible for arranging all of their own ground transportation to and from the airport and throughout the duration of the conference.

Childcare

Due to low demand, Childcare services will not be provided at the 2026 MDF Regional Conferences. Please make all necessary arrangements prior to arrival so that you can take full advantage of all the Conference has to offer.

Registration Cancellation Policy

We understand that circumstances can change. MDF is happy to process registration cancellations made two weeks before the conference you’re registered for. Donations to MDF are non-refundable. Hotel room cancellations must be made directly with the hotel.

Additional Information

Check back here for the latest program and speaker updates as they become available.

Questions?

If you have registration questions or need assistance with registration, contact MDF at 415-800-7777 or by email at info@myotonic.org.

Corporate Sponsorships

For questions on corporate sponsorship opportunities at the 2026 MDF Regional Conferences, please contact MDF at development@myotonic.org.

Click here to download an overview of Sponsorship Opportunities in 2026.