The 2025 iCAN Summit in Montréal, Canada was nothing short of extraordinary!

Founded in 2014, the International Children’s Advisory Network, Inc. (iCAN) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia. With chapters spanning four continents, iCAN brings together youth between the ages of approximately 8 and 18 who live with chronic, rare, or complex medical conditions. We are proud to be an official community partner of the FDA and a part of its Total Product Life Cycle Advisory Program (TAP).

At its heart, iCAN is powered by kids. Our chapters consist of passionate young people and their families who are dedicated to understanding, improving, and advocating for pediatric medicine, research, and innovation. We believe every child deserves to be heard, and our mission is to amplify their voices and experiences in spaces where it truly matters.

This year’s summit planning committee did a phenomenal job selecting Montréal as our host city. Children from around the globe came together to connect, collaborate, and contribute their perspectives on clinical trials and pediatric healthcare. Many of these youth live with rare diseases and complex medical needs, yet their resilience and insight continue to inspire us all. Through focus groups, panels, and open forums, they shared firsthand accounts of their experiences with treatments and therapies—offering valuable input directly to those leading clinical research.

We are not only focused on the serious business of improving healthcare for kids—we also have fun. Our first night included a dance party for all children, including those with reduced mobility, and our closing celebration was filled with delicious French Canadian cuisine and even more dancing. The laughter, joy, and connection were just as powerful as the advocacy and learning.

While the kids led the charge in youth advocacy, parents were engaged in their own meaningful sessions. I had the honor of facilitating several workshops for caregivers, where they could share their stories, emotions, and wisdom with others who truly understand. As co-chair of the iCAN Parent Chapter, this role allows me to help caregivers process their journeys, connect with one another, and collaborate on resources that support families navigating similar challenges.

This year, our parent group chose to focus on a critically important topic: supporting the siblings of children with complex medical conditions. These siblings often play a quiet yet powerful role in the family dynamic, and we explored ways to ensure they feel seen, heard, and valued. I was deeply moved by the honesty, empathy, and creativity that emerged from these conversations.

Though my amazing co-chair, Deb Discenza, couldn’t attend in person this year, she remained an active presence via Zoom. Her absence was felt, but we were incredibly fortunate to have Michelle Burgess step in and help lead our sessions with compassion and energy.

Without a doubt, this year’s iCAN Summit was one of the most powerful I’ve attended. Watching these brave, brilliant kids—many of whom had never met before—form genuine, lasting friendships reminded me exactly why this work matters so much.

At iCAN, everyone belongs. Whether you use a wheelchair, a feeding tube, live with chronic pain, or manage any other medical challenge, you are part of our family. And your voice is not only welcomed—it is needed.

Watching these children advocate for themselves is awe-inspiring—but listening to them advocate for the children of the future is truly profound.

If you’d like to support our mission, please visit iCANresearch.org to learn more or consider making a donation. iCAN is committed to covering travel expenses for all participating youth, and we rely on the generosity of supporters like you to make that possible.

Feel free to reach out with any questions. I hope to see you at the 2026 iCAN Summit—we’d love to welcome you to our growing global family.