Magdalen College Chapel illuminated for rare disease day
On February 29th the rarest day of the year, Magdalen College Chapel was illuminated for rare disease day.
Last updated 1st Mar 2024
February 29th is rare disease day because it is the rarest day of the year and in honour of this day Magdalen College Chapel was illuminated yesterday evening.
The initiative is part of the Global Chain of Lights to raise awareness of the plight of the 400 million people worldwide that are 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 Institute in Ohio.
The aim is to drive cutting-edge breakthroughs to address the unmet need in rare disease across the globe, and to deliver major clinical impact for patients.
Their mission is to deliver new treatments for the 400 million affected by rare diseases worldwide and to deliver 40 drugs in the next 10 years.
Fewer than 5% of rare diseases have approved treatments and advances in DNA sequencing, scientific research and drug development will make curing rare diseases a reality.