TouretteConnect: Giving Thanks and Giving Back

Dear Friend,

With Thanksgiving just a few days away, I’d like to offer a note of thanks and appreciation to each of you.

Thank you to our generous donors who have made the Tourette Association of America their charity of choice. It is because of your resolve to make our association a priority, that we are able to deliver essential programming and resources including:

A free Virtual Conference that reached over 3,000 people
Online support groups to geographically remote and underserved areas
An upcoming Neurodiverse Workforce Development Mock Interview Series
Web-based learning activities such as the Education and Medical Professional Webinar Series

Thank you to TAA staff, boards, committees, volunteers, Chapters, and Support Groups. You are our mission in action and help make our initiatives come to life. As I reflect on the year I feel proud of the work we’ve done, but our efforts do not stop during the holidays. The coming days and weeks ahead will be some of the busiest of the year, as we highlight year end tax-deductible giving opportunities that directly impact our ability to serve the community.

The day after Thanksgiving welcomes some of our favorite shopping days such as Black Friday and Cyber Monday. When you shop AmazonSmile, you can support the TAA directly. The most rewarding day during this time period, however, is Giving Tuesday. On Tuesday, November 30, we are calling on you to join the movement and support the TAA by making a donation, hosting a Facebook fundraiser, or by sharing our important messages throughout the day. Help us surpass our goal of $100,000.

Thank you to all who have taken advantage of TAA programming, resources and support; and to those who have joined us on social media and within your local communities to spread the word about why this condition demands greater recognition and respect. The TAA remains steadfast in providing hope and support to those individuals in need. There are ample opportunities to have your gift go twice as far, with two matching gift opportunities around Research and Giving Tuesday. Make a tax-deductible donation before December 31 to make sure everyone has support when they need it most.

Gratefully,

Become an Ambassador

[Awareness]

Are you between the ages of 12-17 or 18-25 and are interested in spreading TS and Tic Disorder awareness in your community? Join the next generation of future leaders by applying to become a Youth Ambassador or Rising Leader.

Gain meaningful leadership and communication skills, learn about advocacy, and meet peers from around the country. The next trainings will take place in Washington D.C. Applications are due by Monday, January 3.

Young Investigator Award

[Research]

Help us develop the future of TS treatment and care. With the Young Investigator Award, the TAA encourages early career researchers to invest their efforts and expertise in increasing our biological understanding of TS, pursuing clinical research aimed at improving patient care, and developing and testing new therapies.

Learn more about this opportunity and share it with your networks. Pre-proposals will be accepted until Saturday, December 11.

Present at National Conference

[Support]

We are looking forward to our in-person National Conference which will take place May 12-15, 2022 in Minneapolis, MN. To that end, the TAA invites you to submit a request for presentation (RFP) for the 2022 Conference.

National Conference serves our pillars of research, awareness, support, and educating families and professionals challenged by Tourette and Tic Disorders. We welcome your presentation ideas for panels, lectures, interactive sessions, small group discussions, and activities/support group facilitation. The deadline to submit an RFP is Wednesday, December 1.

Importance of Patient Advocacy

[Public Policy]

Make your voice heard by joining the TAA for National Advocacy Day on March 2,2022. Join us to #Rally4Tourette virtually by sharing your story with congressional leaders and discussing pressing issues facing the community!

Recently, TAA Vice President of Public Policy Diana Felner and TAA Rising Leader Olivia Woodrich were featured at the BIO Patient Health and Advocacy Summit where they discussed the importance of patient advocacy. In particular, Olivia used the skills she learned to start educating communities across the country on Tourette Syndrome. By joining us on Advocacy Day, you will also have the opportunity to make a difference!