Patient Services, Inc. to Join NORD in Observing Rare Disease Day

MIDLOTHIAN, Va., Feb. 24, 2014 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Patient Services, Inc. (PSI) will be joining the National Organization for Rare Disorders (NORD) and others around the world in observing Rare Disease Day on February 28, 2014.  On this day, millions of patients and their families will share their stories to focus a spotlight on rare diseases as a global public health concern.

"Everyone knows someone with a rare disease," said Peter L. Saltonstall, president and CEO of NORD.  "Rare Disease Day is a time to show support for the 30 million Americans – and millions more around the world – living with rare diseases."

A rare disease is one that affects fewer than 200,000 Americans.  There are nearly 7,000 such diseases affecting nearly 30 million Americans, according to the National Institutes of Health (NIH).

Two-thirds of those affected by rare diseases are children, and the diseases tend to be serious and lifelong.  Even so, most rare diseases have no approved treatment, and many are not even being studied by medical researchers.  Often, research on rare diseases is funded by the families and friends of patients or by patient organizations.

On Rare Disease Day, patient organizations around the world unite to promote awareness of the challenges, hopes and needs of those living with rare diseases.  For 2014, the focus is on caregiving, and the global theme is "Join Together for Better Care."

Patient Services, Inc. (PSI) is the "ground breaking" 501(c) (3) non-profit, charitable organization of its kind.  Twenty-five years ago, we recognized the importance of providing a "safety net" for patients with rare chronic illnesses who were struggling to keep up with expensive premiums and co-payments.  Since 1989, PSI (www.patientservicesinc.org) has led the charge to provide much needed patient assistance, soliciting donations to fund thousands of patients and their families in a myriad of disease areas.

In the U.S., the coalition supporting Rare Disease Day includes patient organizations, NIH and other government entities, medical researchers, hospitals and academic institutions, and pharmaceutical companies developing treatments for rare diseases.

Rare Disease Day 2014 activities in the U.S. will include State Legislature awareness events, a Tribute to Caregivers and Handprints Across America photo gallery on the national website (www.rarediseaseday.us), and events in communities across the U.S.

Rare Disease Day was launched in Europe in 2008 by EURORDIS, the organization representing rare disease patients in Europe.  It is now observed in more than 65 nations, and is sponsored in the U.S. by NORD.

For more information about Rare Disease Day activities in the U.S., go to www.rarediseaseday.us.  For information about global activities, go to www.rarediseaseday.org).

Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20140224/DC70603LOGO

Media contacts:
Mandy Herbert, PSI
[email protected] 
Office: (804) 744-3813

Mary Dunkle, NORD
[email protected] 
Office: (203) 744-0100
Mobile: (203) 482-9934

SOURCE Patient Services, Inc.