Rare Disease Day 2025 carries a simple but powerful message: More Than You Can Imagine. It’s a reminder that rare diseases touch more lives, involve more conditions, and require more action than most people realise.
Many think rare diseases are uncommon, something that happens to a small number of people. But together, more than 300 million people worldwide live with a rare disease – equivalent to the population of the world’s third-largest country. That’s 5% of the global population, yet most people struggle to name even a few rare diseases. There are actually over 6,000 identified rare diseases, and new ones continue to be discovered.
More People Than You Can Imagine
A rare disease may be “rare,” but the number of people living with them is not. Families, friends, caregivers, researchers, and healthcare professionals – millions are part of this community in ways they never expected.
More Conditions Than You Can Imagine
Rare diseases are not just genetic; they can also stem from infections, environmental factors, allergies, or even be rare forms of cancer. 1 in 5 cancers is classified as rare. Their impact goes beyond medical concerns, shaping everyday life, work, and education in ways that are often invisible.
More Research, Treatments, and Diagnosis Than You Can Imagine
For many rare diseases, research is still in early stages. 72% of rare diseases are genetic, and 70% of these start in childhood, yet many still have no established treatment. Finding a diagnosis can take years, and some never receive one at all. The five-year survival rate for rare cancers is lower than for common cancers, showing just how much work remains.
More You Can Do Than You Can Imagine
The need is big, but so is the potential to create change. Raising awareness, supporting advocacy, and driving research forward all make a real impact. Every action, no matter how small, brings us closer to solutions.
This Rare Disease Day, we invite everyone to take a closer look, listen to the stories, and recognise that rare diseases are More Than You Can Imagine.