PRESS RELEASE   

The second annual Rare Disease Day will be marked Saturday, Feb. 28.  

On and around this date, hundreds of patient groups and their partners are organizing a variety of awareness-raising activities to draw attention to rare diseases and the millions of people suffering from them.  

The international Rare Disease Day campaign is organized by the European Organisation for Rare Diseases (EURORDIS) in conjunction with its 19 member rare disease national alliances, which represent more than 600 patient groups.  

Building on the success of last year’s campaign, Rare Disease Day 2009 has spread well beyond Europe with partners from North America and Latin America joining in the action. 

This year is the first time for Rare Disease Day to be observed in the U.S.A. The National Organization for Rare Disorders (NORD) has already mobilised more than 130 patient organizations and is generating great enthusiasm. Rare Disease Day will also be celebrated for the first time in Panama, Colombia, Argentina, Australia and even China.

A list of activities planned by participating countries is available on the group’s Web site. Everyone is welcome to post an event and download communication material, or simply tell their story by entering the video contest, uploading a photo or joining the new Facebook Group.  

 — Find out more:

Rare Disease Day: www.rarediseaseday.org