The ABTA 2025 National Conference is September 12-14
Chicago and Online
Register Now for the ABTA 2025 National Conference!
The American Brain Tumor Association invites you to our annual National Conference, a pivotal gathering of patients, caregivers, researchers, and advocates dedicated to advancing brain tumor research and treatment.
This year’s conference will take place from Friday, September 12-Sunday, September 14 at the Renaissance Schaumburg Convention Center Hotel, featuring leading experts, cutting-edge research presentations, informative workshops, and opportunities for connection and support.
Together, we will explore the latest advancements in brain tumor science, share personal stories of resilience, and empower one another in our shared journey.
Don’t miss this chance to be part of a community that is making a difference!
Learn, engage and connect with patients and caregivers impacted by a brain tumor diagnosis.
The ABTA National Conference is the largest educational meeting designed specifically for patients and caregivers to learn the latest advances in research treatment and care from top brain tumor experts.
Empower Yourself at the ABTA National Conference
The nation’s largest patient-focused brain tumor conference is returning this fall and we hope to see you! Save the date for the ABTA 2025 National Conference, September 12-14 in Chicago and online.
- Learn about the latest treatment advances from leading experts
- Engage in wellness workshops and breakout sessions
- Connect with patients, caregivers and healthcare providers
Join us for a full weekend of enriching programs presented by nationally recognized experts.
Registration opens in May!
Learn, engage and connect with patients and caregivers impacted by a brain tumor diagnosis.
The ABTA National Conference is the largest educational meeting designed specifically for patients and caregivers to learn the latest advances in research treatment and care from top brain tumor experts.
The ABTA National Conference is the largest educational meeting designed specifically for patients and caregivers to learn the latest advances in research, treatment and care from top brain tumor experts.
Register now:
Program for the 2025 National Conference!
The ABTA National Conference is the largest educational meeting designed specifically for patients and caregivers to learn the latest advances in research, treatment and care from top brain tumor experts.
Register now:
Learn, engage and connect with patients and caregivers impacted by a brain tumor diagnosis.
Learn. Engage. Connect.
The ABTA National Conference is the largest educational meeting designed specifically for patients and caregivers to learn the latest advances in research, treatment and care from top brain tumor experts.
Register Now:
Program Highlights
Get ready for three days filled with educational sessions, breakout sessions, and networking activities tailored just for you! Join us for:
- Personalized Medicine & Clinical Trials: Exploring treatments like Immunotherapy and trial options
- Caregiver Support: Practical tips and emotional support for caregivers
- Grief & Difficult Conversations: Coping with loss, embracing change, and collaborative decision-making
- Financial Guidance: Strategies for managing finances during brain tumor treatment
- Sex, Intimacy & Brain Tumors: Addressing the often-overlooked impact on relationships, intimacy, and communication
Interactive Activities
- Campfire Connections
- Virtual Writing Workshop
- Movement Sessions
- Chair Massages
- Therapy Dogs
- Cocktail Reception
- Enter Contests to Win Prizes
- Campfire Connections
- Virtual Writing Workshop
- Movement Sessions
- Chair Massages
- Therapy Dogs
- Cocktail Reception
- Enter Contests to Win Prizes
- Campfire Connections
- Virtual Writing Workshop
- Movement Sessions
- Chair Massages
- Therapy Dogs
- Cocktail Reception
- Enter Contests to Win Prizes
Plan Your Experience
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Whova
Conference management tools
- Download our conference app Whova, to access conference updates, view the agenda, connect with attendees, and participate in contests to win prizes!
- Kick off the weekend at Campfire Connections – A networking campfire-style session on Friday to bring together patients, survivors, and caregivers for an evening of shared stories and connection
- Start your day energized with our Movement Sessions on Saturday and Sunday morning
- Connect with others and create lasting relationships during our breakout sessions & interactive activities
- Explore the Exhibit Booths and get your passport stamped as you learn about the event sponsors, clinical trials, and brain tumor resources
- Pet one of our adorable Therapy Dogs
- Check out the cutting-edge ABTA-funded Research Posters to learn about the amazing work of our researchers
- Unwind at the Cocktail Reception Saturday evening with live music, appetizers, drinks, and more!
- Breakfast, Snacks, & Lunch will be provided
- Attire is casual. Bring a sweater as the conference room tends to run cold!
In-person attendees will also have access to the virtual platform. Presentation recordings will be available post-event!
In-person registration is $40 per attendee. Click here to register.
- Connect with attendees on our conference app, Whova, before, during, and after the event! Share helpful information, send messages, post photos, engage in discussions, and more!
- Join our Healing Through Writing Workshop on Friday evening to kickstart your conference experience with empowerment, connection, and creativity
- Attend both main sessions and breakout sessions from the comfort of your own home with the opportunity for live Q&A
- Explore the Virtual Exhibit Booths and participate in our passport contest as you learn about the event sponsors, clinical trials, and brain tumor resources
- Check out the cutting-edge ABTA-funded Research Posters to learn about the amazing work of our researchers
- Take part in fun contests for your chance to win prizes
- Feel free to grab a snack and take breaks as necessary
Presentation recordings will be available post-event.
Registration is free, but required for virtual attendees. You will receive further details on how to access the conference platform.
Hotel:
Renaissance Schaumburg Convention Center Hotel
1551 N. Thoreau Drive
Schaumburg, IL 60173, US
Get the full in-person conference experience by booking a room at the Renaissance Schaumburg Convention Center Hotel.
Just a 20-minute drive from Chicago’s O’Hare Airport, attendees are encouraged to reserve a room in the ABTA block and join us for the conference!
- Rate: $184/attendees (valid Friday, September 12 – Monday, September 15, 2025)
- Cutoff date: August 29, 2025
- Cancellation policy: 72 hours prior to guest’s arrival date
If you are facing financial hardship, learn more about our scholarship opportunity for eligible in-person attendees.
Parking:
Attendees staying overnight at the Renaissance Hotel should park in the hotel parking lot, located to the right of the hotel. Local or day-of attendees should park on the Convention Center side. Click here for the venue parking map.
A limited number of Pat McDonald Scholarships are available to those in financial need who want to attend the conference in person.
Awarded scholarships will cover a two-night stay at the Renaissance Hotel along with registration fees for eligible attendees and any accompanying guests.
To be considered:
- You must live more than 45 miles from the conference hotel (1551 N. Thoreau Dr., Schaumburg, IL, 60173).
- You must be a brain tumor patient/survivor or caregiver.
- You must demonstrate financial need.
To apply for financial assistance, please complete this form by July 31, 2025.
For questions or assistance, please email info@abta.org or call 800-866-2282.
Meet Our Keynote Speaker: Jason Tharp
Jason Tharp is a brain cancer survivor, bestselling children’s book author and illustrator, and founder of the Beyond HOPE Project—a movement designed to help people break through the impossible by turning hope into a strategy. With a message rooted in authenticity, resilience, and self-leadership, Jason brings the perfect blend of heart, humor, and humanity to every stage he steps on.
Through the lens of his personal journey—being told he had seven months to live—Jason delivers powerful storytelling that goes far beyond inspiration. He introduces audiences to his transformational H.O.P.E. Algorithm, a mindset tool built to help individuals and organizations navigate challenges, unlock creativity, and lead with purpose.
Jason’s talks leave people not just motivated, but moved—and equipped. His unique ability to turn pain into power helps people across industries embrace a new truth:
Impossible is optional when HOPE is your strategy.
He speaks to corporate teams, healthcare organizations, nonprofits, and educators who want to spark meaningful growth, reignite their purpose, and build cultures of connection, courage, and creativity.
"Diagnosed with Grade 4 Glioblastoma and given seven months to live, Jason made a bold decision: H.O.P.E. would be the strategy. Three years later, with clear scans and a mission to inspire others, Jason’s story proves that impossible is just a word. "
Enjoy Music from Special Guest Ryan Neal!
Ryan Neal is a talented musician and inspiring brain tumor survivor, known for his heartfelt performances and soulful sound.
He gained national recognition as a contestant on “The Bachelor Presents: Listen to Your Heart,” where he showcased not only his incredible vocal abilities but also his resilience and passion for music.
Ryan’s journey through adversity has fueled his creativity, allowing him to connect with audiences on a deeper level. With a unique blend of emotion and artistry, he continues to share his story through his music, reminding us of the power of hope and healing.
Meet the 2025 Co-Chairs
Ashley Ghiaseddin, MD
Clinical Associate Professor
Chief Division of Neuro-Oncology
Department of Neurosurgery
University of Florida College of Medicine
Ashlee Loughan, PhD
Director, LiveNOW Laboratory
Clinical Neuropsychologist
Associate Professor
Virginia Commonwealth University
@Ashlee-Loughan @LiveNOWLab @VCUMassey
Want to stay in the know? Sign up to receive information and updates using the form below.
Meet Our Conference Chairs
Marta Penas-Prado, MD, MSc
Senior Clinician, Neuro-Oncology Branch
Clinical Research Program Co-Director
Lead Physician, NCI-CONNECT Rare CNS Tumor Clinic, Neuro-Oncology Branch
Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health
Roy Strowd III, MD, MEd, MS, FAAN
Vice Dean, Undergraduate Medical Education
Co-Program Lead, Experimental Therapeutics and Applied Science
Co-Program Lead, Neuro-Oncology Disease Group
Comprehensive Cancer Center
Wake Forest University School of Medicine
Thank You to Our Sponsors!
We extend our heartfelt gratitude to our sponsors for their invaluable support of the American Brain Tumor Association’s 2025 National Conference. Your commitment to advancing brain tumor research and patient care has made this event possible.
Together, we are fostering a community of hope, innovation, and collaboration, empowering patients, caregivers, and healthcare professionals.
With your partnership, we are driving meaningful change and paving the way for breakthroughs in brain tumor treatment and support. Thank you for standing with us in our mission to enhance the lives of those affected by brain tumors. Together, we are making a difference!
