Rare Disease Day 2009

Rare Disease Day is coming up on February 28, 2009.

Rare Disease Day is an international effort to raise awareness of rare diseases and the need for more research into safe and effective treatments. A disease is considered rare if it affects fewer than 200,000 people in the United States. There are more than 6,000 rare diseases affecting approximately 25 million Americans.

Patient advocacy organizations, medical societies, companies, and government agencies worldwide will participate in Rare Disease Day. This year's focus is "Patient Care: A Public Affair!"

• Rare Disease Day 2009
• National Organization for Rare Disorders (NORD)