About Rare Disease Day

Find out what Rare Disease Day is about

29 February 2020 will be the thirteenth international Rare Disease Day coordinated by EURORDIS. On and around this day hundreds of patient organisations from countries and regions all over the world will hold awareness-raising activities. 

Rare Disease DayWhat is Rare Disease Day?

Rare Disease Day is held on the last day of February every year to raise awareness of rare diseases.
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Rare DiseaseWhat is a Rare Disease?

A rare disease, also referred to as an orphan disease, is any disorder that affects a small percentage of the population. Although the disease may be rare, patients and families share a common struggle.
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Rare Disease DayOverview of Past Rare Disease Days

See year-by-year highlights and how Rare Disease Day has grown since its first celebration in 2008!
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Reframe Rare for Rare Disease Day 2020
Reframe Rare for Rare Disease Day 2020
When the challenge of raising awareness for people affected by a rare disease still loomsOn Rare Disease Day we must re-double our effortsRe-think, re-envision, reimagineReframe what it means to be 'r...
30 Sep 2019
Thank you to all who took part in Rare Disease Day 2019
Thank you to all who took part in Rare Disease Day 2019
We have come a long way from the first Rare Disease Day which took place over a decade ago in 2008 when 18 countries took part. This year, Rare Disease Day was celebrated by patient groups, policy-mak...
14 Mar 2019
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