One (Hopefully) Giant Leap for Rare Diseases

February 29 (February 28 in non-leap years) is Rare Disease Day, the purpose of which is to raise awareness of uncommon medical conditions in an effort to encourage more research. Rare Disease Day was observed for the first time in Canada and many European countries eight years ago; the United States joined the observance in 2009. Campomelic syndrome, the genetic disorder with which I was born, is considered rare. To find out more about Rare Disease Day, go to http://www.rarediseaseday.org/.