Rare Disease Day® is February 28
#ShowYourStripes with NORD®

Who Do You Show Your Stripes for?

Do you love someone living with a rare disease? This Rare Disease Day®, celebrate them by sharing their story and photo on the Faces of Rare Celebration Wall to shine a light on their strength and journey.

MAKE A DEDICATION
Faces of Rare

Does your state make the grade?

Rare disease policies vary by state. See where your state stands in the 2025 NORD State Report Card.

LEARN MORE

Calling all rare disease innovators!

Register for this immersive 1.5-day event featuring leaders advancing rare disease research, collaboration, and innovation to accelerate scientific progress.

REGISTER NOW

Shop Rare. Show Stripes.

Shop NORD gear, Show Your Stripes, and support rare disease families — every purchase helps advance research, care, and advocacy nationwide.

SHOP NOW

Patient Assistance Programs

Get help with access to medication, diagnostics, caregivers support, and other needs.

Get support

Rare Disease Database

Learn more about 1,200 rare diseases through our comprehensive database.

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Centers of Excellence

NORD® Rare Disease Centers of Excellence are diagnosing and treating thousands of rare disease patients.

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IAMRARE® Program

Assist researchers throughout the world better understand and treat rare diseases by enrolling in our registry and sharing your experiences.

Get involved

Living Rare Study

Adults living with rare disease and caregivers share their lived experiences to help drive positive change

Participate Today

Help Advance Research

Discover how your rare experiences can help researchers and lead to a brighter future.

Learn More

Knowledge is Empowering

You or a loved one has received a diagnosis. Now what? Gaining knowledge, connecting with advocacy organizations, and learning about treatment at places like the Centers for Excellence are the next steps.

Learn about living with a rare disease
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How Can We Help You?

We help inform and advocate for legislation and policies that reflect the needs of rare disease patients and their families.

We provide information about rare diseases, patient organizations and other resources. We also promote awareness of rare diseases among physicians and other medical professionals.

We pioneered Patient Assistance Programs in 1987. Today, NORD programs include free drug, co-pay and premium assistance, travel/lodging assistance for clinical trials, expanded or emergency access, and more.

Disease-specific patient organizations are crucial partners in our mission to serve rare disease patients and their families. That’s why we provide capacity building and mentorship services to start-up and established organizations.

Our grant programs have resulted in numerous published advances and at least two FDA-approved therapies.

NORD believes in the power of collaboration. It is the foundation upon which NORD was built. NORD works with partners in the patient community, government, academia, and industry who share the ultimate goal of identifying, treating, and curing rare diseases. In addition to the partnerships listed below, NORD works with many national partners to achieve its advocacy goals.

Our Mission

The mission of NORD is to improve the health and well-being of people with rare diseases by driving advances in care, research and policy.

Advocating for Patient-Centered, Data-Driven Policy

NORD helps drive more effective government policies by elevating the voice of the rare disease community.

Our Rare Disease Policy in Action
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“I just hope I can leave some footprints that matter --- to help pave the way” 
—Regina Bogar, Association for Creatine Deficiencies

Finding Support Through Advocacy Organizations

Patient advocacy organizations play a vital role in helping people with rare diseases live their best and fullest lives. We can help you find one or even start your own.

Find your rare disease community
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Access State Report Card Data

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