Rare Disease Day is February 28, 2010

What is Rare Disease Day?

Rare Disease Day is an annual, awareness-raising event coordinated by EURORDIS at the international level and National Alliances of Patient Organisations at the national level. Rare Disease Day is observed on the last day of February.

Why Rare Disease Day?

Rare diseases are chronic, progressive, debilitating, disabling, severe and often life-threatening. Information is scarce and research is insufficient. People affected face challenges such as diagnosis delay, misdiagnosis, psychological burden and lack of practical support. Many rare disease patients are denied their right to the highest attainable standard of health and continue to advocate their need to overcome common obstacles.

Who can take part?

Individuals, patients, patient organizations, health professionals, researchers, drug developers, public health authorities - the more, the better!

Main objectives of Rare Disease Day are to:

• Raise awareness on rare diseases
• Strengthen one voice of patients
• Give hope and information to patients
• Bring stakeholders closer together
• Coordinate policy actions in different countries
• Inspire continued growth of the awareness of rare diseases
• Get equity in access to care and treatment

Awareness raising events will take place in each participating country.
Visit www.rarediseaseday.org to find out more about Rare Disease Day.