Reflections on Rare Disease Day 2017
Today, February 28, 2017 is International Rare Disease Day (RDD). While it is just one day on the calendar, people affected by rare diseases are impacted by their condition 24 hours, 7 days a week, 365 days a year.
A rare disease is defined as a medical condition that impacts a small percentage of the population, less than 1 in 2000 people.
• 80% of rare diseases have identified genetic origins whilst others are the result of infections (bacterial or viral), allergies and environmental causes, or are degenerative and proliferative.
• 50% of rare diseases affect children.
Muscular Dystrophy Canada supports research to find treatments for over 150 different types of rare neuromuscular disorders. You see, muscular dystrophy isn’t just one disorder; Different genetic mutations cause different disorders. While investments in research over the past decade have resulted in a tremendous increase in our knowledge, and understanding of the molecular causes of neuromuscular disorders, we still have a long way to go.