Each year, the National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences (NCATS) and the National Institute of Health (NIH) Clinical Center (CC) sponsor Rare Disease Day at NIH as part of this global observance. This year’s global theme is “bridging health and social care.” The event is held to raise awareness among policymakers and the public about rare diseases and their impact on patients’ lives.
Sponsored by NCATS and the CC, this year’s event will feature interactive panel discussions on collective research models for rare diseases, patient registries, rare cancer research initiatives, and “no disease left behind, no patient left behind.”
New this year will be a presentation of the first ever Zebbie award for the NCATS Rare Diseases are Not Rare! Challenge. Other highlights include posters and exhibits by rare disease groups and researchers as well as artwork, videos, and CC tours.
The event takes place on Thursday, Feb. 28, 2019, 8:30 a.m.-4:00 p.m. ET, Main Auditorium, Natcher Conference Center, Building 45, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland. Admission is free and open to the public. In association with Global Genes, participants are encouraged to wear their favorite pair of jeans. Be sure to follow the event on social media using #RDDNIH.
