We want to encourage everyone to get involved and participate in Rare Disease Day in whatever way is right for them. We understand that different people will have different access to tools or resources, but all of these activities are important and will help add to the overall impact of the day.
Access the Press Kit or Write Your Reps to help spread awareness.
For Individuals
- Become an ambassador
- Write Your Reps
- Handprints Across America
- Visions of Solidarity
- Soaring Voices make a creative Slideshow or Video Entry
- Write a Blog or email your Friends and Families
- Help NORD create a database of physician rare disease experts
- Organize a display at a local school or hospital
- Buy Rare Disease Day merchandise, such as t-shirts and mugs, to help make people aware of the day
- Participate in an event near you
- Join us on Facebook and Twitter and
- Use your status to raise awareness for Rare Disease Day
For Organizations
- Become a Rare Disease Day partner
- Encourage your members to participate as individuals
- Post stories about Rare Disease Day in your newsletter and on your website
- Help NORD create a database of physician rare disease experts
- Display the Rare Disease Day Partner logo on your website
- Host an event in your area
- Take part in events near you
- Use Facebook and Twitter to raise awareness for Rare Disease Day
- Reach out to the media to raise awareness for your disease of interest and Rare Disease Day generally
For Companies
- Become a Rare Disease Day partner
- Display the logo and/or countdown device on your website
- Host an event for your staff, patients, and community members
- Help NORD create a database of physician rare disease experts
- Issue a press release about your participation in Rare Disease Day
- Support the Write Your Reps campaign
- Follow Rare Disease Day US on Facebook and Twitter
- Donate item(s) for NORD to award as prizes to patient organization partners
For College Students
- Set up a table in the student center to hand out flyers to help spread awareness
- Help set up and volunteer to work an event
- Join and encourage others to join us on Facebook and Twitter
- Organize different contests to help raise money
- Develop a series of pictures and videos about rare diseases to be displayed in a ballroom or public area
- Put up displays throughout classroom buildings
- Hand out flyers during sporting events to the parents and students
- Buy and sell Rare Disease Day merchandise to peers and professors
- Organize an event to through a club such as a pre-medical society or health promotion club and invite students with rare diseases to talk about their experiences and share their story
For information about in-school activities for elementary, middle and high school students please read more about suggested in school activities.