Rare Disease Day (RDD) usually happens on February 28th. This year, because it is a leap year, RDD is happening February 29th, the rarest day of all. On that day (or week of awareness) a host of different activities happen all around the world. The purpose is bring together patients, advocates, friends, and families affected by an type of rare disease and raise awareness.
There are 7,000 rare disease, affecting over 10 million Americans. There are only 400 treatments for these diseases. RDD hopes to help change that by encouraging rare disease organizations to take part.
Rare Disease Day 2013, JJB held a flashmob in Parkslope,Brooklyn. This year JJB will be hitting both coasts, with Mari at Rare Disease Week on Capitol Hill and Jill at the World Symposium in California.