Rare Disease Day

Name: Rare Disease Day in International
Start: 20250228T00:00:00+00:00
End: 20250301T00:00:00+00:00
Location: PLACE

Category: Medical

Medical

Rare Disease Day around the world in 2025 — Image from CC0.

About Rare Disease Day

How long until Rare Disease Day?
Rare Disease Day .
Dates of Rare Disease Day
2026 Various Feb 28 InternationalSat, Feb 28Observances Holiday USASat, Feb 28Observances Holiday 2025 Various Feb 28 InternationalFri, Feb 28Observances Holiday USAFri, Feb 28Observances Holiday 2024 Various Feb 29 InternationalThu, Feb 29Observances Holiday USAThu, Feb 29Observances Holiday 2023 Various Feb 28 InternationalTue, Feb 28Observances Holiday USATue, Feb 28Observances Holiday 2022 Various Feb 28 InternationalMon, Feb 28Observances Holiday USAMon, Feb 28Observances Holiday
Summary
Over 300 million people around the world are living with a rare disease.
Where is Rare Disease Day observed in 2025?
USAFeb 28

February 28th marks World Rare Disease Day— a day most people don’t know about, according to National Organization for Rare Disorders (NORD).

In the United States, a rare disease is defined as a condition that affects fewer than 200,000 people. There are several conditions classified as "rare diseases."

Rare Disease Day is a global celebration to raise awareness among the public and decision-makers about the challenges faced by the over 25 million Americans and nearly 300 million people globally impacted by rare diseases, as well as all those still without a diagnosis. The National Organization for Rare Disorders (NORD) is the official US sponsor of Rare Disease Day.

Did you know? 1 in 25 people are estimated to live with a rare disease globally

Did you know? While each disease affects less than 2000 people, collectively many lives are touched.

Rare Disease Day takes place on the last day of February each year. The main objective of Rare Disease Day is to raise awareness amongst the general public and decision-makers about rare diseases and their impact on patients' lives.

Rare Disease Day was first celebrated in 2009 in the United States

The campaign targets primarily the general public and also seeks to raise awareness amongst policy makers, public authorities, industry representatives, researchers, health professionals and anyone who has a genuine interest in rare diseases.

With each passing year, February 28 has continued to grow into an essential celebration to engage the rare community, elevate the stories of patients and families, and drive donations, the creation of new critical resources and innovative research in the rare disease space.