Rare Disease Day is a day of global solidarity, marked each year around the world on the last day of February (the rarest day of the year) to raise awareness and to advocate for equity for rare disorders. 

 

Rare Disorders Month in New Zealand

GlowupshowupIn 2023, we kicked off our very first rare disorders awareness month campaign - calling on Aotearoa to Glow up and Show up for Rare to show support for the 6% of the population living with a rare disorder.

#GlowUpShowUp was chosen as a slogan for this campaign to demonstrate the need for rare disorders to be brought out
of the darkness, and into the light.

While many countries in the Northern Hemisphere consider February 'Rare Disease Month', February is a busy time for New Zealanders and the Government alike, as they settle back into business after summer. This is why we have chosen March to mark our Rare Disorders Month, kicking off on the last day of February - Rare Disease Day, to ensure we can gain plenty of traction.

2023 campaign 

Our first Rare Disorders Month campaign was a great success, gaining sustained media presence throughout March with over 50 pieces of coverage across major broadcast, print, and online news media - reaching hundreds of thousands of New Zealanders. 

View a snapshot of the media highlights here.

On social media, dozens of community groups, support groups, individuals and workplaces showed their support by brandishing our popular temporary tattoos for the campaign, and showcasing their fundraising and awareness events.

We look forward to making this an annual campaign and building on the success of the first.

If you would like to get involved in Rare Disorders Month, get in touch with us today so that we can support you.

Together we can bring rare disorders out of the darkness and into the light.

#GlowUpShowUp       #DoRightByRare       #RareDisordersMonth