NORD Unveils "Do Your Share for Rare," Year-long Campaign for Rare Disease Public Awareness

News provided by

National Organization for Rare Disorders (NORD)

Feb 28, 2017, 07:00 ET

DANBURY, Conn., Feb. 28, 2017 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The National Organization for Rare Disorders (NORD), the leading independent nonprofit organization representing the 30 million Americans with rare diseases, announced a year-long awareness campaign for rare disease.

Kicking off today—Rare Disease Day 2017—"Do Your Share for Rare" features the voices and stories of many living with a rare disease, to inspire and encourage those living outside of the community to get involved in ways big or small.

The first-ever community-driven public service announcement launched today to kick off the campaign, driving viewers to DoYourShare.com, a supporting website featuring community stories, an opportunity for those living with a rare disease or those involved in the community to share their story, and ways to get involved in areas ranging from awareness and advocacy to research and donation. NORD is encouraging all site visitors to share stories and content via Twitter and Facebook.

"For those living with a rare disease, the awareness, education, and support of others is paramount," said Peter L. Saltonstall, President and CEO of NORD. "'Do Your Share for Rare' is an attempt at more widespread awareness, which for someone living with a rare disease, means a great deal."

Throughout the year, DoYourShare.com will be updated to include more community stories, supporting NORD's 34-year mission of providing education, advocacy, patient support and research to help all people with rare diseases. There are approximately 7,000 known rare diseases, most of which are life-altering and do not yet have a treatment.

For more information, visit DoYourShare.com or RareDiseases.org.

About the National Organization for Rare Disorders (NORD)®
The National Organization for Rare Disorders (NORD)^® is the leading independent advocacy organization representing all patients and families affected by rare diseases. NORD is committed to the identification, treatment and cure of the 7,000 rare diseases that affect 30 million Americans, or 1 in every 10 people. NORD began as a small group of patient advocates that formed a coalition to unify and mobilize support to pass the Orphan Drug Act of 1983. For more than 30 years, NORD has led the way in voicing the needs of the rare disease community, driving supportive policies and education, advancing medical research, and providing patient and family services for those who need them most. NORD represents more than 250 disease-specific member organizations and their communities and collaborates with many other organizations in specific causes of importance to the rare disease patient community. www.rarediseases.org.

SOURCE National Organization for Rare Disorders (NORD)