28 February marks the second annual Rare Disease Day. The main objective of Rare Disease Day 2009 is to raise awareness with policy makers and the public of rare diseases and of their impact on patients’ lives, and from this week, the campiagn has a new supporter: Fernando Torres.

The Liverpool and Spain number ‘9’ joined television presenter and comedian Juan y Medio as the two public figures gave their suport to the promotion of the Rare Disease Day in Spain. Fernando Torres is seen in the TV spot promoting the event with the words: “There are more than 3 million of us, but we are still alone. Lend your support to creating a Rare Diseases Global Pact.”

The international Worldwide Rare Disease Day campaign is organised by the European Organisation for Rare Diseases (EURORDIS) in conjunction with its 19 member rare disease national alliances, of which FEDER (Spain) forms a part.

FEDER, which was founded in 1999, has 130 members and covers 800 rare diseases. Its main goal is the visibility of these rare diseases and advocating for the rights of people living with rare diseases. The non-profit organisation has a website dedicated to the event: www.masde3millones.com

The main message in Spain will be to consider the necessity of creating a Rare Diseases Global Pact. FEDER will look for the consensus and commitment of the main actors involved: national and regional administrations, scientific societies, professional associations, the pharmaceutical industry, patients organisations, media and civil society – in order to translate the success of the Pact into specific measures for the victims.

The other principal objectives of Rare Disease Day are to: raise awareness on rare diseases, strengthen one voice of patients, give hope and information to patients, bring stakeholders closer together, coordinate policy actions in different countries, inspire continued growth of the awareness of rare diseases, get equity in access to care and treatment.