Strength in Community: Every Patient Counts: A Recap of the 13th Annual Cholangiocarcinoma Foundation Conference

June/July 2026, Vol 7, No 2

The 13th Annual Cholangiocarcinoma Foundation (CCF) Conference marked a milestone, with the largest in-person attendance ever. Researchers, clinicians, patients, caregivers, and advocates came together and presented the latest advancements in cholangiocarcinoma (CCA). This year’s conference also honored CCF’s 20th anniversary, making it a particularly special gathering. Recordings from the annual conference will be available on the Foundation’s YouTube Channel in the coming weeks.

Cholangiocarcinoma Foundation

850,000 in Research Program Grants Funded by CCF

The Foundation awarded 10 Research Fellowship Grants of $85,000 each to early-career investigators from select institutions, further supporting groundbreaking studies in CCA. Since 2015, our Research Fellowship program has invested over $4.68 million, supporting 81 promising Research Fellowships to drive innovation and advance scientific discovery. In accordance with the Foundation’s research philosophy, the organization supports promising projects that are less likely to get traditional funding.

Honoring Excellence

The Mark R. Clements Awards, the Foundation’s highest honor, were awarded to 3 outstanding individuals whose contributions have had a lasting influence on the CCA community. Congratulations to this year’s Mark R. Clements Awardees! The Foundation is pleased to award its highest honor to Nirma Patel for Excellence in Community Impact, Matt Reidy for Excellence in Volunteerism, and Dr Jesús Banales for Vision, Innovation, and Collaboration.

CCF’s second annual Awards Dinner was a heartfelt celebration of progress, collaboration, and the strength of the CCF community. The evening honored the researchers, advocates, and donors driving meaningful change, while also reflecting on how far we’ve come together. A special highlight of the night was when Dr Rachna Shroff brought everyone to their feet with an energetic Bollywood dance, creating a joyful moment of connection and celebration for all.

New Resources

CCF announced 2 new resources at the annual conference, including a brand-new patient app and a book. CCF’s new CholangioPath app empowers patients to connect with a Patient Advocate, explore treatment information, receive reminders about educational events, and access new resources, making it easier to stay informed and supported throughout your journey.

Download it today from the App Store. Coming soon on Google Play.

CCF’s new book: Navigating a Cholangiocarcinoma Diagnosis, a Guide for Patients and Their Caregivers, guides patients and their families through diagnosis, treatment, and survivorship.

You can get a copy today here.

What’s Next: Cleveland Cholangiocarcinoma Symposium & 14th Annual Conference

The momentum from the annual conference will continue at the upcoming 2026 Cleveland Regional Symposium, which will convene in Cleveland, Ohio, on June 26, 2026, bringing together leading experts, researchers, healthcare professionals, patients, and advocates. This event promises to be a crucial platform for sharing the latest advancements and addressing the challenges in CCA research and treatment. You can learn more and register for this event here.

Save the date! The Foundation’s 14th Annual Conference will occur March 22-25, 2027, in Salt Lake City, Utah. We look forward to another powerful gathering as we continue to shape the future of research, care, and community. More information will be coming soon.

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