Rare Disease Day Cleveland 2026

Add to Calendar: Add to Calendar 2026-02-25 08:00:00 2026-02-25 14:00:00 Rare Disease Day Cleveland 2026 Case Western Reserve University is hosting the 7th Rare Disease Day Cleveland on Feb. 25 from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Tinkham Veale University Center and via livestream to raise awareness and research funds in order to advocate for change that will help discover new treatments and improve the quality of life for people with rare diseases. Rare is not rare. One out of every 10 Americans is living with a rare disease. Worldwide, there are more than 300 million people with rare diseases. Too often, these individuals and families are left isolated and without answers to their medical questions. It doesn't have to be that way. Rare Disease Day is a global initiative to raise awareness and generate support for everyone who is on a rare medical journey.  A collaboration between Case Western Reserve University, the Harrington Discovery Institute at University Hospitals, Cleveland Clinic, MetroHealth, and the National Organization for Rare Disorders (NORD), the event will focus on health and equity for patients, caregivers and families. Presentations will address the challenges surrounding the diagnosis and treatment of rare diseases and the need for more approved treatment options. The program will also highlight advocacy, with a panel of speakers presenting the patient perspective. There will be a networking reception at noon. This year's host, Mitch Drumm, PhD, director of the Research Institute for Children’s Health and professor of Genetics and Genome Sciences at Case Western Reserve, said, “There is so much positive work going on right here in Northeast Ohio with regards to rare diseases, and our community deserves to know about it. We are delighted to showcase our local efforts and provide hope to those affected directly by these disorders, their families and their caregivers." To learn more about our rare disease program at CWRU, visit case.edu/medicine/childrenshealth. Hybrid Weatherhead School of Management Weatherhead School of Management UTC public