Over 7,000 diseases are considered rare in the United States, affecting 30 million people nationally (1,2). Patients affected by rare diseases not only deal with the attendant challenges of illness but also face many additional barriers due to having a condition that is rare. Rare Disease Day, observed every February 29 , the rarest day of the year, is a way to raise awareness of rare diseases and provide support for those affected by rare diseases. (In non-leap years, Rare Disease Day is held on February 28). Rare Disease Day provides an opportunity for librarians to provide resources and programming in support of this patient community. This article discusses resources and programming that librarians can develop in support of patients with rare diseases and highlights some rare disease programming conducted at one consumer health library in observance of Rare Disease Day.
