ACHSE - THE GERMAN ALLIANCE FOR RARE DISEASES
The German Alliance for Rare Diseases is a network of organisations of people living with a rare disease.

There are an estimated 3 to 4 million people living with a Rare Disease in Germany. Before 2004 this enormous group did neither have a common voice nor an organisation to represent their specific interests. The German Alliance for Rare Diseases ("ACHSE") has been founded to increase the awareness of the needs and problems of people living with a Rare Disease and to contribute to the improvement of the living conditions of those affected and their families.


Presently more than 100 patient organisations have joined the ACHSE to support each other, to exchange know how and to strengthen their influence in the political arena. Together they build an "Achse", which is the German word for axle. The ACHSE logo symbolizes the fact that smaller and larger groups support each other.