CONNECTED 2025 || Friday, Nov 14 – TED Support Group

TED Support Group
12–1 PM PT | 3–4 PM ET

Session Description:

Exclusive for TED Patients: Global TED Support Group, a topic-driven conversation in an afternoon session dedicated to the most urgent and timely topics affecting all who have thyroid eye disease. We have scheduled one hour for the TED Support Group and will extend that if needed.

Talking Points:

(Chat Topic) What do you see as the greatest unmet need of the Graves’ and TED patient?
What does “Join us on the journey from TED to NED” mean to you? Let’s talk about what NED (No Evidence of Disease) looks like to each of us as individuals.
As a community of TED patients, “We are rewriting our stories. And reclaiming our lives.” Though TED happened to us through no fault of our own, some of us have decided to flip the TED patient narrative from helplessness to a Hero’s Journey. Please bring your point of view to this conversation.
We are developing a Quality of Life program for Graves’ and TED patients that provides education and support related to nutrition, movement, sleep hygiene, stress management, social connection, and mental health. Do you think lifestyle choices affect our health? What would you prioritize and / or add to this list?

Facilitators:

Cynthia Baltazar
Diagnosed in 2021, Cynthia Baltazar, was left feeling hopeless and lost. Through self-reflection and research, she thrived by becoming her own health advocate. The TED Organization gave her additional knowledge, strength, and, meaningful connections with others walking the same path. Perseverance and determination are her greatest assets, which carried her through flare-ups and the darkest of times. Cynthia believes, “Together, we can fight to find our way to NED, and remind each other that we are stronger when we rise as one.”

Christine Gustafson
Christine Gustafson is the Founder, CEO, and Executive Director of the TED Community Organization, a global nonprofit dedicated to supporting those living with thyroid eye disease (TED). An “accidental leader,” Christine stepped into advocacy by simply trying to help fellow patients navigate the isolating and often overwhelming TED journey. Today, she leads an organization that is uniting patients, physicians, advocacy groups, and industry partners worldwide to foster education, support, and connection.

Susan Roberts, Pharm.D.
Dr. Roberts is a pharmacist living in Maine. She has worked in community pharmacy in Oklahoma and Maine, and worked during the pandemic administering vaccines to nursing homes and long-term care facilities. Diagnosed with TED in 2018, she struggled with symptoms and the search to find high quality disease information. The TED Community has filled that gap. She is delighted to help other patients along their journeys through monthly support groups and/or individual meetings.