RDD is a globally coordinated movement dedicated to striving for equity in social opportunities, healthcare, and access to diagnosis and therapies for people living with a rare disease. A disease is classed as rare when it affects fewer than 1 in 2000 people and there are over 3.5 million people living with a rare condition in the UK alone. These disorders are characterised by a broad diversity of symptoms that vary not only from disease to disease but also from patient to patient. The fact that there are often no existing effective cures for these disorders adds to the high level of pain and suffering endured by patients and their families.
The Oxford Harrington Rare Disease Centre, which is part of the Department of Paediatrics, is a unique partnership between the University of Oxford and the Harrington Discovery Institute aimed at driving cutting-edge breakthroughs to address the unmet need in rare disease across the globe, and to deliver major clinical impact for patients.
Spotlight on Magdalen College Chapel for Rare Disease Day
28 February 2025
The chapel facade of Magdalen College was lit up ahead of the commemoration of Rare Disease Day (RDD) which was celebrated on Friday 28th February 2025. The celebration is held on 29th February in a leap year as it is the rarest day in the year.
