Today is Rare Disease Day

2017 marks the 10th year that the international rare disease community celebrates Rare Disease Day.

On February 28, 2017 people living with or affected by a rare disease, patient organizations, politicians, carers, medical professionals, researchers and industry will come together in solidarity to raise awareness of rare diseases.

Rare Disease Day in Canada
Patient organisations in Canada have engaged in Rare Disease Day since its first year in 2008, arranging gala dinners and exchanges between researchers and patients, as well as regional events across Canada.

What Can You Do?
As a patient group, we encourage you to use the images in this email, as well as others from rarediseaseday.org, to promote the day and raise awareness. Consider using through your social media channels and sharing with your members to do the same.

You can also consider contacting local media to let them know about Rare Disease Day and offer to have your organization or one of your patients featured, to raise awareness. 

After all, 1 in 12 Canadians is living with one of 7000 rare diseases. Though individually our patient groups may sometimes feel isolated, together we can make the collective voice of rare diseases heard!