Included in this email update:

• Batten Disease Global Research Initiative Update
• The return of the International Batten Disease Awareness Day T-Shirt Design Contest
• Conference Grant applications
• Rare Disease Week Recap
• Fam Funds Update
• Newsletter Update

Read below to catch up on the latest news and events in the Batten disease community!

It’s Brain Awareness Week – a global campaign to foster public enthusiasm and support for brain science. Let’s take some time to learn more about the Batten Disease Global Research Initiative! Big news is coming soon! 👀

For the third straight year, we are holding another T-shirt contest to determine the design of this year’s International Batten Disease Awareness Day T-shirt! DEADLINE IS 11:59 PM EDT ON SUNDAY, MARCH 30.

View the complete rules and guidelines by clicking the button below.

Conference grants are available to U.S. and Canadian families. Grants cover registration, one room for up to three nights, and meals on Friday and Saturday of the conference.

Attendees are responsible for their travel expenses.

The 2025 Annual Family Conference is taking place in Lincoln, Nebraska July 11-13.

Batten grandfather Mitch Larson traveled to D.C. from Nebraska last week to participate in Rare Disease Week on Capitol Hill. Listen as he details his experience advocating for the Batten disease community.

Visit our website for more content from Rare Disease Week, and THANK YOU ALL for your relentless advocacy!

As of last week, we are now up to 19 Fam Funds!

Welcome our newest Fam Funds and check out their pages! 💚 This initiative allows Batten families to share their stories and raise funds within their communities for a mission area of their choice.

Learn more and get started by clicking the button below!

The February edition of The Illuminator Newsletter will not be published. News and notes that would’ve appeared in that edition will be included in a combined February/March edition.