Did you know that 1 in 17 people in the UK will be affected by a rare disease in their lifetime and that 75% of people affected by rare disease are children?

Rare Disease UK is the national campaign for people with rare diseases and all who support them, providing a united voice for the rare disease community by capturing the experiences of patients and families.

Rare Disease Day is a global event that aims to raise awareness of rare diseases and improve access to treatment and support for those living with rare conditions. Throughout February 2019 we will be hosting numerous events and activities to mark Rare Disease Day. Rare Disease Day is officially held on the last day of February each year, and is recognised in over 80 countries worldwide.

In the run up to Christmas and New Year we would really appreciate your donations towards putting on these important events and working with our supporters to raise the profile of rare diseases across the UK. Your Christmas gift will help us to campaign to improve the health and quality of life for individuals and families affected by rare diseases.

The video below is a view into patients' experiences of living with a rare disease.

Rare Disease UK is a campaign run by Genetic Alliance UK, the national charity of over 200 patient organisations, supporting all those affected by genetic conditions.