Rare Disease Day
Next: February 28, 2027
Rare, but never alone.
The story
Where it comes from
Rare Disease Day was created by EURORDIS-Rare Diseases Europe and first held, together with its Council of National Alliances, in 2008. The aim was a global awareness campaign to bring rare diseases into the spotlight. The organisers chose 29 February, the rarest day of the calendar, and the day has been kept on the last day of February ever since: 29 February in leap years and 28 February in other years. It speaks for the 300 million people around the world living with a rare disease, and for their families and carers.
How it's celebrated
EURORDIS still coordinates the campaign, with national rare disease alliances as its official partners. Every year thousands of events are organised around the world, from awareness campaigns to policy meetings, and people share their photos, videos and personal stories online. A message of solidarity to someone living with a rare condition, or to the family caring for them, is a simple way to take part.
Did you know
- Eighteen countries took part in the first Rare Disease Day in 2008.
- At the first event, Sweden's Crown Princess Victoria presented an award to a young person living with a rare disease.
- The national alliances that partner with EURORDIS help choose each year's campaign message.
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