Mary Chapman, features writer —

The seventh annual Napa in Newport wine auction, an event that brings together acclaimed Napa Valley vintners, raised more than $1.5 million for CureDuchenne. The nonprofit will use those proceeds to support people with Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD), the most common form of MD, and to find…

A myriad of activities are afoot to mark National Muscular Dystrophy Awareness Month, observed each September. The events aim to raise funds for, and heighten awareness of, muscular dystrophy (MD) and related neuromuscular disorders thought to affect more than 300,000 families across the U.S. Awareness days are set for…

At its first virtual investor event, biotech company Centogene set a bold mission: to cure 100 rare diseases within the next decade. A leader in the field of genetic diagnostics, Centogene used the June 22 event to present its strategic priorities, outlining its plans to speed the discovery…

To help patient advocacy leaders and their partners better understand how global health statistics codes — known as ICD codes — are assigned, updated, and revised in the U.S. health information system, the EveryLife Foundation for Rare Diseases is presenting a first-of-its-kind resource guide. The foundation created the…

Those who wish to gain practical tools for living optimally with rare diseases are encouraged to attend the annual Living Rare Living Stronger Patient and Family Forum, hosted by the National Organization for Rare Disorders (NORD) and set this year for June 26-27. The conference brings together patients,…

The 15th Annual Jared Sweet Golf Outing, a Michigan event that benefits Parent Project Muscular Dystrophy (PPMD) and raises needed funds for research, is set for Saturday, June 19. To date, the outing has raised more than $160,000 for the PPMD. Since the event’s inception, the Sweet family,…

Rare Disease Day at NIH, organized by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and taking place on March 1, will feature panel discussions, patient stories, research updates, TED-style talks, and a presentation by a Nobel laureate recently recognized for her work on a gene editing tool. The free, virtual…

Scores of virtual events are afoot around the world to mark Rare Disease Day 2021 on Feb. 28. The activities are focused on heightening awareness about rare diseases and the hundreds of millions of individuals they are thought to affect. Patients, caregivers, and advocates worldwide will sport denim ribbons…

While progress was made last year on newborn screening and other policy issues critical to rare disease patients, a “State Report Card” argues that many concerns — notably out-of-pocket costs for prescription medicines and access to affordable comprehensive care — still need attention. Those were the findings of the…

Caring for a loved one with a rare disease, especially during these uncertain times, demands significant time, attention, patience, and dedication. To help meet that need, the National Organization for Rare Disorders (NORD)’s Rare Caregiver Respite Program may be a helpful resource. The program seeks to give a…