Rare Disease Day® was first observed in Europe in 2008. It was established by EURORDIS, the European Rare Disease Organization. In 2009, EURORDIS asked NORD to be its partner in this initiative and to sponsor Rare Disease Day in the United States. NORD is thrilled to celebrate the 7th US Rare Disease Day this year! The concept has continued to expand beyond the US and Europe. In 2014, more than 80 countries participated and, through social media, the awareness and participation has an even broader reach.

Each year, Rare Disease Day is observed on the last day of February (Feb. 29 in leap years and Feb. 28 in other years). The goal is to draw attention to rare diseases as an important public health issue that cannot be ignored.