Rare Disease Day

Rare Disease Day is a global moment to focus on the impact of life-altering diagnoses. Your support helps Make-A-WishⓇ to bring strength and joy children living with critical illnesses through granting life-changing wishes. These experiences do more than provide a fun experience. They ease the emotional burden on the children and their family while offering lasting hope for the future.

What is Rare Disease Day?

 I wish to go on small trips
 Anton, 5, Denmark
epilepsia and multiple rare diseases

Rare Disease Day is a global awareness campaign held annually on the last day of February. In 2026 this day falls on the 28th. Its purpose is to shine a light on the challenges faced by individuals living with rare diseases and to encourage international advocacy, research, and support.

Examples of Rare Diseases

Rare Disease Day raises awareness of many critical illnesses that make children eligible to have a wish granted through Make-A-Wish..This includes children living with conditions such as cancer, heart conditions, or complex neurological and genetic conditions.

These conditions often require long-term treatment and frequent hospital visits, which can significantly impact a child’s daily life and sense of normalcy.

This day also highlights children living with respiratory, metabolic, or immune conditions that often require frequent hospital visits and intensive treatments. 

The History of This Annual Day

Rare Disease Day was launched in 2008 by EURORDIS, a non-profit alliance representing over one thousand rare disease patient organizations. This organization works to improve the lives of the millions of people living with a rare condition, by advocating for better access to care and treatment.

The event takes place annually on the last day of February, The event takes place each year on the last day of February, a date chosen to reflect rarity, as February 29 occurs only in leap years. Rare Disease Day recognizes families and children living with critical illnesses. What began as a European initiative, has grown into a global movement. On this day, organizations and individuals unite to provide hope and support to those who need it most.

Supporting People with Rare Diseases and their Families

Rare diseases often impose significant physical, emotional, and financial burdens on families. People with rare diseases frequently experience delayed diagnoses because their symptoms can be non‑specific or resemble those of more common conditions.

Once diagnosed, the children face limited treatment options, many of which are expensive or experimental.

Rare Disease Day brings awareness to the unique challenges faced by people with rare diseases. By highlighting their stories, the campaign reduces stigma and isolation, and it amplifies calls for increased support for people with rare diseases.

Make-A-Wish grants the wishes of children with critical illnesses, including rare diseases, leading to improved physical, psychological and emotional well-being.. A wish offers hope and relief during difficult times. Every month, thousands of children around the world are diagnosed with a rare disease that may make them eligible for a wish. We help these children across all our Affiliates and Licensed Territories worldwide.

Beyond individual families, Rare Disease Day also mobilizes communities and organizations worldwide.

Global Initiatives and Events on Rare Disease Day

Rare Disease Day ignites action through awareness initiatives, educational conferences, and cultural events that bring the community together. To spark global conversation, landmarks across the world glow in the campaign’s signature colors.

Patient advocacy organizations lead these efforts by partnering with schools and hospitals to share the reality of living with a rare condition. These vibrant events do more than educate. They invite you to make a direct difference through fundraising and volunteer work. By sharing personal stories on social media, you can turn individual advocacy into a powerful global movement of hope.

How to celebrate Rare Disease Day

Turn your support into action on Rare Disease Day, to ensure children living with critical illnesses receive the hope they need. Your involvement is vital. 

Every twenty-five seconds, a child is diagnosed with a life-altering illness. Make a direct impact by starting a personal fundraising campaign or donating to support our mission. 

Sharing your voice on social media helps spread awareness about the reality of living with a rare condition. Direct donations help provide life-changing experiences for those facing the most difficult diagnoses. To discover more ways to make a difference, explore our other ways to support our mission.

The goal of bringing awareness to Rare Diseases

As Rare Disease Day grows, global collaboration ensures children living with critical illnesses receive the support they deserve. By supporting Make-A-Wish this Rare Disease Day, you can help bring lasting positive impacts to children facing rare critical illnesses around the world.

Get involved and help provide life-changing hope to children living with critical illnesses and their families.

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I wish to have a 16th birthday party
Sara, 16, Brazil
congenital myopathy