13th Annual Cholangiocarcinoma Foundation Conference Brings Together the Global Community While Honoring CCF’s 20th Anniversary
Bringing together the leading researchers, clinicians, patients, caregivers, and advocates to explore the latest advancements in cholangiocarcinoma
Karen Templeton
Senior Director of Communications
[email protected]
SALT LAKE CITY, UT – The 13th Annual Cholangiocarcinoma Foundation Conference begins on Friday, May 1st, and takes place at the Salt Palace Convention Center in Salt Lake City. The three-day conference is presented by the nonprofit Cholangiocarcinoma Foundation and is also offered virtually. The conference will highlight new research on cholangiocarcinoma (bile duct cancer) and liver cancer, showcase patient advocacy efforts, address health equity considerations, and underscore the power of collaboration in advancing progress for those facing this rare cancer.
The Cholangiocarcinoma Foundation was born out of one family’s determination to turn heartbreak into hope. Following a devastating diagnosis in 2005, the Clements family in the Salt Lake City, UT area was determined that no one else should have to invest the time and effort they did to gather information and surround themselves with an empathetic community. From those early efforts, a global organization dedicated to finding a cure and improving the quality of life for all those affected by cholangiocarcinoma emerged.
“As we mark 20 years, I often think of my brother Mark, the visionary behind this mission. I think Mark wouldn’t believe what’s happened in the last 20 years, but I also think he knows, because I feel his help all the time,” said Foundation Founder and CEO Stacie C. Lindsey. “Twenty years ago, there were no treatment options, no cholangiocarcinoma specialists, the institutions were not working together, and there was no funding for cholangiocarcinoma research. Today, the landscape is completely different, and I’m so proud of the work this community has done. Because of this community, there are more treatment options, seven FDA approvals, two standards of care, and more in the pipeline.”
Over the past 20 years, CCF has played a pivotal role in shaping the cholangiocarcinoma landscape, driving scientific progress, fostering collaboration, and ensuring that no one facing a cholangiocarcinoma diagnosis is alone. The Annual Conference is where all of that comes together.
Leading voices in cholangiocarcinoma research will be at this year’s annual conference. Join Nabeel El-Bardeesy, Tak Mak, and Gregory Gores as they share insights on emerging science, treatment strategies, and the future of cholangiocarcinoma research. These keynote sessions will spotlight breakthrough discoveries and forward-looking perspectives that are shaping the field.
Attendees will have the opportunity to hear from Keaton Herzer, a patient who is living with cholangiocarcinoma and has navigated the complex journey of getting his targeted therapy and liver transplant approved by his insurance. His story of resilience, advocacy, and determination is a rare and powerful opportunity to experience the patient perspective firsthand, offering inspiration and insight that no scientific presentation can replicate.
A recent study (JAMA Network Open) estimates that by 2040, liver and bile duct cancer will be the third deadliest cancer in the United States. To advocate for much-needed funding and promote education about the disease, the Foundation hosts an Annual Conference each year to unite people who are fearlessly working to find a cure for cholangiocarcinoma and share the latest education for patients with cholangiocarcinoma, caregivers, and professionals.
All participants who attend play a meaningful role in advancing this work. The Annual Conference fosters collaboration, inspires hope, and drives the momentum needed to accelerate progress towards better treatment options and a cure.
Registration is now open. The media is invited to participate in the conference and cover the sessions. Contact the Utah-based Foundation for a registration code that allows media to virtually attend online for free.
About the Cholangiocarcinoma Foundation:
Founded in 2006, the Cholangiocarcinoma Foundation is a global 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. Its mission is to find a cure and improve the quality of life for those affected by cholangiocarcinoma. For more information, please visit our website at cholangiocarcinoma.org. You may also contact the CCF Director of Communications, Karen Temleton, at [email protected].