Team Telomere Community Summit 2026: A River Runs Through Advocacy and Research

From July 7-10, 2026, individuals and families impacted by Telomere Biology Disorders (TBDs) gathered in Missoula, Montana for the Team Telomere Community Summit 2026. Bringing together people living with TBDs, families, care partners, and bereaved community members, the Summit centered on education, connection, and time together.

Morning educational sessions offered opportunities to learn from TBD experts, ask questions, and explore topics relevant to living with and managing these complex conditions. One-on-one meetings with medical experts provided additional space for individual conversations. Held alongside the Scientific Summit, the gathering also connected community members with clinicians and researchers working to advance TBD diagnosis, care, and treatments.

The Research Poster Session brought current and emerging science into an accessible format, inviting attendees to speak directly with researchers and explore how their work relates to the experiences and priorities of patients and families. These exchanges reinforced the importance of community perspectives in guiding research.

Connection extended beyond the educational sessions. Shared meals and afternoon activities offered time to get to know one another, exchange experiences, and enjoy Missoula and the surrounding beauty of Western Montana. Together, these moments created space for support, reflection, and friendship.

On Thursday evening, the Boots & Genes Community Celebration & Award Ceremony brought attendees together to celebrate the community’s strength and recognize individuals whose contributions continue to move the field forward.

The Community Summit was offered at no cost to community members, with lodging, meals, and programming supported by Team Telomere and our generous partners.

Thank you to every attendee, speaker, volunteer, and sponsor who helped make this gathering possible. Your stories, questions, and participation brought our community’s favorite saying to life: We are better together.

Registration

Registration for an individual includes:

  • Meals during the Summit (see schedule for details)
  • 3 nights of lodging accommodations
  • Access to morning educational sessions
  • Participation in afternoon activity programming
  • 1:1 meetings with TBD medical experts
  • Research Poster Session – one hour of beverages, appetizers, and research education
  • Ticket to the Community Celebration & Award Ceremony on Thursday evening
  • Summit Swag 

Note: All attendees under the age of 12 must be accompanied by an adult at all times during the Summit.

The Community Summit is free for community members. Tickets are valued at $900 per person. Donations are appreciated but not required.

Registration closed as capacity has been reached. If you would like to be added to the waitlist, please email us at [email protected].

Lodging & Travel Information

The Community Summit will be held in Missoula, Montana, with lodging provided at the Tapestry by Hilton Hotel Missoula – Edgewater.

Team Telomere will cover lodging, some meals, and special activity expenses. The registration form contains questions to ensure the appropriate lodging accommodations are reserved for each attendee. We will do our best to accommodate everyone.

Attendees should fly into Missoula Montana Airport (MSO). Shuttles to and from the airport and hotel will be provided by Team Telomere. More details will be provided to registered attendees.

Accessibility

Detailed venue and activity accessibility information will be forthcoming.

Please reach out to [email protected] for questions pertaining to any access needs for the event.

Sponsors

Team Telomere greatly thanks our generous partners for their support of the Community Summit.

River Guide Sponsor

Compass Sponsor

Fly Reel Sponsor

Community Scholarship Fund Sponsor

Opening Night Sponsor

Scientific Summit Networking Event

Interested in sponsoring the Community Summit?

Connect with our team at [email protected] and view our sponsorship packet below.

View Sponsorship Packet

Join us!

Here is what participants in Team Telomere’s previous community gatherings have said:

“We really enjoyed connecting and sharing experiences… Through knowledge of [other’s] experiences, we are able to be made stronger. Sharing stories… provided insight and comfort as well as reminded us that we are not alone.” — Parents of a child with a TBD

After our Team Telomere Day in Rochester, MN, one individual impacted by a TBD told her mom, “I think this is just what we needed mum.”

This Community Summit truly is a testament to a favorite saying in our community “We are better together!” We look forward to having you join us and creating lasting memories together.