It was established by EURORDIS, the European Rare Disease Organization. In 2009, EURORDIS asked NORD to be its partner in this initiative and to sponsor Rare Disease Day in the United States. Now, the concept is rippling out around the world. Each year, World Rare Disease Day will be observed on the last day of February (Feb. 29 in leap years and Feb. 28 in other years). Our goal is to draw attention to rare diseases as an important public health issue that cannot be ignored. Day was first observed in Europe in 2008. In May of 2009 NORD and EURORDIS entered into a strategic partnership to catalyze transatlantic collaboration. The goal is to support policies and practices that speed up scientific discoveries and innovative treatments, provide access to the highest standard of diagnosis and care, encourage more patient-centered health care systems, offer a higher quality of information, and help break the isolation of the people living with rare diseases. Through the partnership, patient advocates in Europe and the US are working together closely. Key initiatives include an international public policy advocacy blog, online rare disease patient communities and Rare Disease Day. NORD and EURORDIS are also establishing common positions on key advocacy priorities.
