Rare Disease Day 2010 - 28 February (1)

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. Individually they affect only a small number of people, yet collectively they affect 1 in 17 people in the UK.

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."

Rare Disease Day falls on the last day of February - 28 February - and this year Rare Disease UK will be holding three parliamentary receptions to promote awareness amongst the parliaments of Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland.

Events will be taking place worldwide. For more information please visit the websites below.

Rare Disease Day 2010

Rare Disease UK