Help me earn my way to the 2025 AXYS Community Conference

Have you ever felt alone in this world? Like no one could possibly understand your thoughts or situation unless they had lived it themselves?

When I was diagnosed with Klinefelter syndrome (KS or 47, XXY) in 2007, I felt that way for almost 10 years. Immediately after diagnosis, I felt as though I was somehow a different person than I was the day before and couldn't even look at myself in the mirror for almost 2 months afterwards.

At that time the internet was not as robust as it is today, and it was difficult to access any resources or support from anyone that knew anything about KS. I lived a double life for 10 years in which I hid that part of myself from the world because I felt alone in the diagnosis and desperately wanted no one to find out.

All that changed when I met another person with KS and instantly felt like I could be myself. There was no need to explain a part of me that I still struggled to understand or put into words, and it was reassuring to know that I was no longer alone.

Shortly after this I began to be more open about my diagnosis and was able to share part of my story when I attended the in-person AXYS conference in Atlanta in 2019 (their last in-person event).

I want to go back this year and attend the 2025 AXYS Community Conference in Atlanta, GA from July 25-27.

This conference provides an opportunity for me to hear up to date information from medical professionals and leading researchers on X&Y chromosome variations as well as meeting others in the X&Y community from across the globe. This event will help me to learn more about how I can improve my life by connecting with others who share a similar experience.

Once I reach my fundraising goal, AXYS will waive my registration fee and cover my hotel costs. All donations go directly to AXYS, which is a registered 501(c)(3) charity. Please consider supporting me by making a donation so I can attend this amazing event. Thank you!

Kelsey Maffei