What can you do on Rare Disease Day?

Autoimmune diseases are often thought of as rare even though, collectively, they affect over 23 million people (just in the US). When physicians believe autoimmune diseases are rare, it often leads to delays in diagnosis and treatment. In some cases, we are not even sure if certain autoimmune diseases are rare or simply underdiagnosed. How can we improve the visibility and awareness of rare autoimmune diseases?

In honor of Rare Disease Day, the last day of February, let's share our rare autoimmune diseases with the hashtag #CareAboutRare. Make a post or a video about your autoimmune disease and how it has impacted you. 

Based on data from NIH's All of Us ​program, over 50 autoimmune diseases are considered rare (based on the US standard of less than 200,000 patients). Collectively, patients with these rare diseases make up an estimated 2.3 million people in the US. Let's show the world how common our rare diseases are and why our diseases should be taken seriously as a major class of diseases. Let's make it impossible for physicians to overlook rare autoimmune diseases.

To support the Autoimmune Registry, please join our registry or share our information with others. Donations are also greatly appreciated!