What You Can Expect at Champions’ Weekend

Thinking about applying for Champions’ Weekend but want to know what it’s really like? We’re pulling back the curtain to give you a sneak peek into our patient retreat in Austin, TX.
Champions’ Weekend is more than just a conference; it’s a supportive and transformative experience designed to empower you with the tools to become a powerful advocate. Here’s a look at what you can expect when you join us from November 13-16.

From the moment you arrive, you’ll be greeted by the warm and welcoming staff of the Infusion Access Foundation. Our team is dedicated to making this weekend a truly exceptional experience for you. You’ll meet our Executive Director, Alicia Barron, who guides our mission, and our Advocacy Director, Kindyl Boyer, who will lead your Advocacy 101 class. Maggie Lynch will be your go-to for any logistics, making sure your travel and stay are seamless. Finally, Jackie Zimmerman will work with you to craft and perfect your story before your professional filming session. We understand the challenges of living with a chronic condition, and we’re here to support you, answer your questions, and ensure you feel comfortable and empowered every step of the way.

You’ll connect with a small, intimate cohort of just 10 fellow patient advocates. Each Champion is hand-selected, and while they come from different condition areas, they share so much in common. It’s normal to be a little nervous at first, but you’ll quickly discover that despite your differences, you’re united by shared experiences and a common purpose. By the end of the weekend, you’ll have a new, lifelong support system that understands your journey.

We have thoughtfully and carefully selected our accommodations to remove any potential anxieties about accessibility. All of our Champions will be staying overnight in a local hotel, and our learning sessions will be held in a rental house that is equipped to support a variety of needs, ensuring that every Champion can move about comfortably and safely. We will provide transportation between the hotel and our rental home. From the very beginning, we are planning with your limitations in mind so you can relax and fully engage in the weekend’s activities without a single worry.

Get ready to learn! We’ll teach you the fundamentals of patient advocacy, help you connect your experience to policies that will directly impact infusion patients, and provide tips for how to be the best advocate for yourself and your community when speaking to lawmakers. Our Advocacy Director, Kindyl Boyer, will be your guide, sharing her expertise and helping you translate your personal experiences into powerful, persuasive messages for policymakers and key influencers. By the end of the lesson, advocates should feel confident communicating with their lawmakers, whether that’s at the Infusion Access Foundation Hill Day, testifying at a hearing, or simply by giving their representative a call.

One of the most impactful parts of the weekend is the opportunity to have your personal story professionally filmed. This is a chance for your voice to be captured in a high-quality video that can be used to influence change. Our team will guide you through the process, making sure you feel comfortable and confident in front of the camera. The result is a powerful video asset that puts a real face to the issues we fight for.

We want you to focus entirely on learning and connecting, not on logistics. That’s why your travel, hotel, and most meals are completely covered by the Infusion Access Foundation and our sponsors. We encourage a relaxed atmosphere, so feel free to bring your comfy clothes and settle in. We’ll make sure you’re well-fed and energized with outstanding snacks and delicious meals throughout the weekend so you can get the most out of every session.