Rare Disease Day

In the United States, a disease is considered “rare” if it affects fewer than 200,000 individuals. More than 7,000 diseases fit the bill, and all told, between 25 and 30 million Americans are living with a rare disease. The majority of these diseases are genetic.

Broad Institute is committed to uncovering the genetic roots of rare diseases and to using those insights to develop new treatments. With projects spanning multiple disease areas, Broad scientists are using genetics, functional genomics, computational biology, and chemical biology to better understand and ultimately seek effective treatments for rare diseases.

Rare Disease Day is an international event held on the last day of February to raise awareness about the impact of rare diseases on patients’ lives and to emphasize the need for research. To mark Rare Disease Day, each year the Broad Institute organizes a Focus on Rare Disease event showcasing rare disease research in our community. We are also proud to host the Beyond the Diagnosis art exhibit each spring, featuring portraits of children with rare diseases.

Beyond the Diagnosis puts a human face on rare disease. Created and donated by accomplished artists, the exhibit travels to medical schools, hospitals, and research centers worldwide, encouraging those in the biomedical community to look “beyond the diagnosis” and see the people most affected by rare diseases — namely, patients and their families.

The seminar and the exhibit are open to the public.

Images courtesy of the Beyond the Diagnosis