Rare Disease Day is an observance held on the last day of February to raise awareness for rare diseases and improve access to treatment and medical representation for individuals with rare diseases and their families.

Every year, thousands of events are organised around the world during the month of February to mark the occasion of Rare Disease Day. Patient organisations, healthcare professionals, researchers, policymakers and other members of the rare disease community organise Rare Disease Day events.



Building awareness of rare diseases is so important because 1 in 20 people will live with a rare disease at some point in their life. Despite this, there is no cure for the majority of rare diseases and many go undiagnosed. Rare Disease Day improves knowledge amongst the general public of rare diseases while encouraging researchers and decision makers to address the needs of those living with rare diseases.


Posted by Dr. Tim Sandle, Pharmaceutical Microbiology