News

Diagnosed with sickle cell disease as a 6-month-old, Tristan Lee has faced a lot of challenges over his 37 years of life. But from a young age, he also learned how to turn those trials into triumphs. At age 9, a stroke due to his disease left him paralyzed…

Rare Disease Day at NIH, organized by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and taking place on March 1, will feature panel discussions, patient stories, research updates, TED-style talks, and a presentation by a Nobel laureate recently recognized for her work on a gene editing tool. The free, virtual…

People with rare disorders have a worse healthcare experience than those affected by chronic diseases, according to the results of an international survey conducted by Eurordis-Rare Diseases Europe. Indeed, rare disease patients overall give their healthcare experience a medium-low rating, of 2.5 on a scale of 1 to 5,…

Scores of virtual events are afoot around the world to mark Rare Disease Day 2021 on Feb. 28. The activities are focused on heightening awareness about rare diseases and the hundreds of millions of individuals they are thought to affect. Patients, caregivers, and advocates worldwide will sport denim ribbons…

On International Angelman Day (IAD), Feb. 15 this year, supporters are hoping to draw widespread attention to the complex genetic neurological disorder and prompt conversations about the community and its needs. Angelman syndrome (AS) — which affects about 1 in 15,000 people, or half a million, worldwide — can…

While progress was made last year on newborn screening and other policy issues critical to rare disease patients, a “State Report Card” argues that many concerns — notably out-of-pocket costs for prescription medicines and access to affordable comprehensive care — still need attention. Those were the findings of the…

The establishment of Foundation for Angelman Syndrome Therapeutics (FAST) operations in Latin America is expected to improve the quality of life for the roughly 42,000 people in that region who are living with Angelman syndrome (AS). FAST Latin America (FAST LatAm) has become the regional umbrella for the…

The two COVID-19 vaccines that recently received emergency approval from the U.S. and other worldwide regulatory agencies are expected to pose little risk to the rare disease community, including to patients with compromised immune systems or those participating in gene therapy studies. That was the message of a recent…

The Foundation for Angelman Syndrome Therapeutics (FAST) has awarded researchers with a grant to develop novel methods to accurately assess gait and mobility across age groups in patients with Angelman syndrome. The research project is led by Jill L. Silverman, PhD, at the University of California, Davis, and Jessica…

Caring for a loved one with a rare disease, especially during these uncertain times, demands significant time, attention, patience, and dedication. To help meet that need, the National Organization for Rare Disorders (NORD)’s Rare Caregiver Respite Program may be a helpful resource. The program seeks to give a…