Imagine & Believe 2026
Join us on Thursday, November 12, 2026 at the Hyatt Regency Boston/Cambridge for an inspiring evening that unites families, donors, industry, researchers, and advocates around a shared vision: a world free from Tay-Sachs, Canavan, GM1, and Sandhoff diseases and believing in the power of science, support, and community to make that vision a reality.
Funds raised through Imagine & Believe directly support groundbreaking research, essential family services, and advocacy efforts that are changing lives every day. From advancing gene therapy trials to supporting newly diagnosed families, this event fuels progress and hope.
Honoring Dr. Florian Eichler
For more than 20 years, Dr. Florian Eichler has been a trusted partner, advocate, and leader within the NTSAD community. NTSAD is proud to honor Dr. Eichler at our annual signature fundraiser, Imagine & Believe, in recognition of his extraordinary commitment to individuals and families affected by Tay-Sachs, Canavan, and Sandhoff diseases.
Dr. Eichler has played an integral role in NTSAD’s mission, serving on our Scientific Advisory Council and contributing to numerous initiatives, including the LOTSS Think Tank and the planned GM2 patient registry. Many members of the NTSAD community are under his care and know him not only as an exceptional physician, but as a compassionate advocate whose warmth, empathy, and dedication have made a lasting difference in their lives. He is also a devoted mentor to emerging scientists and clinicians, many of whom he introduced to NTSAD and who have since become valued members of our community.
In addition to his long-standing engagement with NTSAD, Dr. Eichler is an internationally recognized leader in rare neurological disease research and care. He is a Professor of Neurology at Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH) and Harvard Medical School, where he serves as Director of the Leukodystrophy Service and Director of the Center for Rare Neurological Diseases (CRND). His work is focused on advancing care and developing treatments for devastating neurogenetic conditions, including Canavan, Tay-Sachs, and Sandhoff diseases.
Dr. Eichler’s scientific contributions include research that identified the mechanism underlying hereditary sensory neuropathy type 1, leading to the first clinical trial of substrate supplementation therapy for patients with this disease. A pioneer in gene therapy for neurodegenerative disorders, his team has advanced multiple gene therapy programs into the clinic. He is currently an investigator in a gene therapy trial for Canavan disease and was an investigator in the recently concluded Phase I/II dual-vector gene therapy trial for GM2 gangliosidosis.
Join us at Imagine & Believe for an inspiring evening as we honor Dr. Florian Eichler and recognize his enduring partnership with NTSAD, his groundbreaking scientific leadership, and the hope he has helped build for our community.
Become a Sponsor
Join us in making a lasting impact for our rare disease community by becoming a sponsor of our 15th Annual Imagine & Believe.
Together, we can create an inspiring evening of camaraderie and connection for the NTSAD community while raising funds for vital programs and services to affected individuals and families.
Contact our Development & Communications Manager, Erin Demers, to explore sponsorship opportunities.
Join us for an unforgettable evening of impact and community.
