Rare Disease Day 2027 is on Sunday

About Rare Disease Day

Each rare disease affects only a small share of people. In Europe a disease counts as rare when it affects fewer than 1 in 2,000 people, and in the United States when it affects fewer than 200,000 people nationwide. But more than 6,000 rare diseases have been identified, and most are genetic, so together they touch a very large number of families. The campaign pushes for equal access to diagnosis, therapies, health care and social opportunities for everyone affected.

EURORDIS, the European Organisation for Rare Diseases, created the day with its Council of National Alliances and held the first one in 2008 on February 29, chosen because it is the rarest date on the calendar. The day has kept the last day of February ever since, falling on February 28 in years without a leap day.

EURORDIS still coordinates the campaign in partnership with more than 70 national patient alliances, and events take place in countries around the world, from policy meetings to public lighting displays under the Light Up for Rare banner. The campaign encourages people living with rare diseases, their families and carers to share their own stories.

Sources: Rare Disease Day (EURORDIS): What is Rare Disease Day?, Rare Disease Day: Rare Disease Day 2008, Rare Disease Day: What is a rare disease?, US Food and Drug Administration: Rare diseases at FDA. How we check dates.

How to mark Rare Disease Day

• Learn about a rare disease that affects someone you know, using a patient organization or a government health site.
• Join a Light Up for Rare event or share the campaign's colors online.
• Support a rare disease patient group by volunteering or donating.
• If you or a family member has symptoms that remain unexplained, ask your doctor whether a specialist referral could help.
• Read personal stories shared on the official campaign site to understand everyday life with a rare condition.

Rare Disease Day dates