#RareAware is a campaign designed to raise awareness of rare diseases.  Throughout the year Same but Different use the arts to create greater awareness of the people affected by rare disease.  This is done through art exhibitions online/offline, via social media campaigns and PR activities.

In just two years we have already held exhibitions in the Houses of Parliament, the Senedd and toured throughout the UK and overseas.  We have already gained coverage in over 24 different countries.

Rare Disease Facts - #RareAware

• A rare disease is defined by the European Union as one that affects less than 5 in 10,000 of the general population. There are between 6,000 and 8,000 known rare diseases and around five new rare diseases are described in medical literature each week.
• 1 in 17 people, or 7% of the population, will be affected by a rare disease at some point in their lives. This equates to approximately 3.5 million people in the UK and 30 million people across Europe.
• There are around 150,000 people affected by these diseases in Wales.
• In the UK, a single rare disease may affect up to about 30,000 people. The vast majority of rare diseases will affect far fewer than this – some will affect only a handful, or even a single person in the whole of the UK.
• 80% of rare diseases have a genetic component. Often rare diseases are chronic and life-threatening. Rare diseases can be single gene, multifactorial, chromosomal or non-genetic.
• 75% of rare diseases affect children. Rare diseases include rare cancers such as childhood cancers and some other well-known conditions, such as cystic fibrosis and Huntington’s disease.
• It is also estimated that over 200 new forms are identified each year.   

You can see some of the exhibitions online here 'Rare Beauty' and 'Rare Project'.

Please show your support for those affected by rare disease by sharing your #RareAware image on social media.