Rare Disease Day 2010 - 28 February

Rare Disease Day is an annual event designed to raise awareness for the multitude of people around the world suffering from conditions that affect less than 5 in 10,000 people each. Despite their rarity, the conditions are so numerous that there are an estimated 27-36 million people affected in Europe alone.

Owing to their scarcity, research into these diseases remains poorly integrated and inadequately funded, depriving the rare disease patient of appropriate diagnosis, treatment and support. To combat the shortfall in rare disease research, the theme for this year's Rare Disease Day is "Patients and Researchers: Partners for Life."

Europe as a whole is expected to play a critical role in the future of rare disease research, as it can provide a platform for collaboration between the scattered researchers and increase the numbers of patients in each study to a degree that is unattainable at the national level.

Rare Disease Day falls on 28 February. Events will be taking place worldwide. For more information please visit the websites below.

Rare Disease Day 2010

EURORDIS - the voice of rare disease patients in Europe