Rare disease day 2021

Event Summary

For the 14th edition of Rare Disease Day, more than 100 countries and regions joined their voices, organizing more than 550 different kinds of events all around the world. This year’s campaign saw 3 new National Alliance partners: Kenya, Zimbabwe, and Bosnia and Herzegovina. Events took place for the first time in Nicaragua, Mali and Uzbekistan. More than 500 buildings were illuminated for this year’s global chain of lights, displaying support for Rare Disease Day, raising awareness for people living with a rare disease, and spreading hope and colour all around the world. The 2021 official video was available in 36 different languages, featuring the portraits of Angelina, Syafiq, Regina, Tristan, Jon-Kristian and Harvey. By sharing these stories from 6 different continents and of 6 different diseases, the Rare Disease Day video shone a light on the diversity of our global community.

Media Coverage

Rare Disease Day was reported from all around the world as participants raised their voices to share the message: ‘Rare is many, rare is strong, rare is proud!’

Social Media highlight

A successful series of webinars were held to provide information and support throughout the campaign, being translated into 8 languages and receiving over 14000 views on Facebook. The Rare Disease Day Facebook page reached over 2.5 million people, and Instagram followers doubled since 2020.

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