Rare disease day 2021

Event Summary

For the 14th edition of Rare Disease Day, more than 100 countries and regions joined their voices, organising over 550 events worldwide.

This year’s campaign welcomed three new National Alliance partners: Kenya, Zimbabwe, and Bosnia and Herzegovina. Additionally, events took place for the first time in Nicaragua, Mali, and Uzbekistan.

As part of the Global Chain of Lights, more than 500 buildings were illuminated to show support for Rare Disease Day, raising awareness for people living with rare diseases and spreading hope and colour across the world.

The 2021 official video was available in 36 languages. By sharing stories from six continents and representing six different diseases, the Rare Disease Day video highlighted the diversity of the global rare disease community.

Media Coverage

Rare Disease Day was reported worldwide as participants raised their voices to share the message: “Rare is many, rare is strong, rare is proud!”

Social Media highlight

A successful series of webinars provided information and support throughout the campaign, translated into eight languages and receiving over 14,000 views on Facebook.

The Rare Disease Day Facebook page reached over 2.5 million people, while Instagram followers doubled since 2020.

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