A reflection from Dr. Emma Culver

As EuroJAM came to a close, Dr. Emma Culver reflected on the event, the conversations that took place and what gives her reason for optimism moving forward.

Community matters

For many people living with IgG4-related disease, opportunities to meet others who truly understand their experience are rare.

Over two days in London, patients, caregivers, researchers, physicians and industry partners came together to learn from one another, share experiences and explore what's next for the IgG4-related disease community.

There were important conversations about diagnosis, treatment, research and quality of life. Questions were asked. Experiences were shared. New connections were made.

But what many attendees talked about most wasn't a specific presentation or session.

It was the opportunity to connect with people who understood.

To meet others living with the disease. To speak directly with experts. To have conversations that continued long after the sessions ended.

For many people, that sense of connection was just as valuable as the information itself.

What attendees told us

One comment appeared again and again in attendee feedback: people valued the opportunity to be together.

To learn from experts. To ask questions. To hear different perspectives. And to connect with others who understand the realities of living with IgG4-related disease.

Several attendees highlighted the unique opportunity to engage directly with specialists while also learning from fellow patients and caregivers.

• "Chance to meet other patients and experts."

• "Speaking to people with the disease and how accessible  internationally recognized speakers were."

• "The opportunity to talk openly to both doctors and people living with IgG4."

Those experiences are difficult to capture in a program agenda or presentation slide, but they were an important part of what made the EuroJAM meaningful for so many people.

Moments from the EuroJAM

Hope in action

Hope came up often during EuroJAM.

Not as a slogan.

Not as wishful thinking.

As something real.

Hope is a powerful word, but on its own it is still just a word. What gives hope meaning is action.

Researchers dedicating their careers to answering difficult questions.

Physicians working together across specialties.

Patients sharing their experiences so others feel less alone.

Caregivers learning, advocating and supporting the people they love.

Industry partners investing in research, education and better outcomes.

EuroJAM was hope in action.

It was a community coming together with a shared commitment to improving the lives of everyone affected by IgG4-related disease.

Coming soon!

The conversations from EuroJAM are not ending here.

Over the coming weeks, we'll begin sharing recordings from the event, one session at a time, along with key takeaways and resources from each presentation.

We'll also be releasing additional photographs from EuroJAM, highlighting the people, conversations and moments that helped make the event so meaningful.

Whether you joined us in London or are following from elsewhere in the world, we look forward to bringing more of EuroJAM to you in the weeks ahead.

The event may be over.

The momentum isn't.