“Alone we are rare. Together we are strong.”
RECOGNIZE RARE DISEASE DAY WORLDWIDE
ACTRESS PATRICIA RICHARDSON
SUPPORTS CAMPAIGN FOR
RARE DISEASE DAY AWARENESS
Former “HOME IMPROVEMENT” Star Honors her Late Father on Behalf of the National Organization for Rare Disorders
Any disease that affects less than 200,000 people is considered rare. There are nearly 7,000 rare diseases. Although each disorder alone affects a small number of patients, together they impact nearly 30 million Americans – or approximately one in every 10 people.
Four-time Emmy Nominee Patricia Richardson has long supported the National Organization for Rare Disorders (NORD), following the death of her father from a rare disease in 2005. She knows first-hand about the challenges that all patients and families affected by rare diseases share. In addition to devastating medical problems and symptoms, it can take years for a patient to get a proper diagnosis and research to find treatments for rare diseases is slower and more difficult.
Rare Disease Day is celebrated worldwide on February 28th to inspire widespread recognition of the challenges faced by people living with rare diseases. Patricia wants to use this opportunity to remind patients and their caregivers that they are not alone, to empower them as patient advocates and make them aware of resources available through NORD. NORD is also launching a public awareness campaign featuring Richardson, with the theme, “Alone we are rare. Together we are strong.™” She’ll encouraged your viewers and listeners to visit www.rarediseaseday.us and show their support by liking the Rare Disease Day Facebook page. You’ll also hear from
Tai Spargo, Assistant Director of Communications of NORD, National Organization for Rare Disorders (with timely NEW information about the challenges facing patients and families.
DID YOU KNOW ONE IN TEN AMERICANS SUFFERS FROM RARE DISEASES? A RARE DISEASE IS DEFINED AS AFFECTING FEWER THAN 200 THOUSAND PEOPLE. BUT BECAUSE THERE ARE NEARLY 7,000 RARE DISEASES, THEY AFFECT NEARLY 30 MILLION AMERICANS.
JOINING US NOW IS PATRICIA RICHARDSON, WHOSE FATHER DIED FROM A RARE DISEASE.
SHE’S JOINED BY THE NATIONAL ORGANIZATION FOR RARE DISORDERS’ TAI SPARGO WHO IS THE DIRECTOR OF RARE DISEASE DAY HERE IN THE U.S.
