Rare Disease Groups, Takeda Canada Launch Campaign to Celebrate Rare Disease Changemakers

Rare Daily Staff

A group of Canadian rare disease patient organizations have joined with Takeda Canada to launch I Am Number 12, a campaign to raise awareness of the one in 12 Canadians who will be affected by a rare disease in their lifetime.

The campaign highlights the challenges and needs of people living with rare diseases, and how collectively, rare diseases aren’t really that rare.

Starting Tuesday, November 28 as part of a 12 Days of Giving initiative, the campaign will spotlight a new Changemaker each day, providing educational information on the rare disease and patient organization they represent and encouraging charitable giving and donations to help our organizations continue to support the communities we serve.

The Changemakers represent the diverse make-up of the rare diseases’ community. They are patients, caregivers, clinicians, and advocates, who work to ensure that Canadians living with rare diseases have equitable access to diagnosis, care, and the resources they require–regardless of where they live.

The campaign was initiated and funded by Takeda. The organizations participating in the campaign include HAE Canada, Immunity Canada, Alpha-1 Canada, Canadian Fabry Association, National Gaucher Foundation of Canada, Canadian MPS Society, GBS/CIDP Foundation of Canada, Answering TTP, Regroupement Québécois des Maladies Orphelines, Association des Patients Immunodéficients du Québec, Angio-oedème héréditaire du Québec, Sickle Cell Disease Association of Canada, Canadian Organization for Rare Disorders.

The campaign will be on Instagram at @IAmNumber12CA on Instagram. Others are encouraged to share their owns stories with the hashtag #Iamnumber12.

“This campaign is an important reminder that rare disease does exist. It is all around us—and we will all likely know and care for someone who is impacted. We are proud to stand in solidarity with our community,” Christine White, President, The National Gaucher Foundation of Canada. “Together, we can raise awareness about the challenges of living with rare diseases and advocate for equal access to healthcare through the National Strategy for Drugs for Rare Diseases.”