Rare diseases are conditions that afflict less than 200,000 people in the United States, but they are far less rare in the aggregate, afflicting millions—and in their disparate types: There are more than 10,000 known rare diseases.
In his latest essay in the San Diego Union-Tribune, David Brenner discusses the particular challenges of identifying and developing treatments for rare diseases, and the work being done at the Sanford Children’s Health Research Center.
Mark your calendars: February 29 is Rare Disease Day. Sanford Burnham Prebys will host its annual scientific and family symposium on congenital disorders of glycosylation, an umbrella term that covers more than 190 rare (fewer than 2,000 children worldwide) genetic diseases on March 1, 2 and 3.