To commemorate World Rare Disease Day, the Organization for Rare Diseases India (ORDI) organized an event in Kolkata. The 8th edition of RaceFor7® was organized on 5^th March in Kolkata.

A press conference was organized that was graced by Manoj Tiwary (Indian Cricketer and Politician), Anupam Roy (Singer), Nusrat Jahan Ruhi (Actress and Member of Parliament Lok Sabha), and Priyadarshini Ghosh Bawa.

Race For 7 is a seven-kilometer walk/run/cycle event held annually by ORDI to raise awareness for the rare disease community and advocate for better policies and access to treatment for patients with rare diseases. It represents the 7000 known rare diseases, the 7-year average it takes to diagnose a rare disease, and the 70 million estimated patients with rare diseases in India. The event is free and open to everyone, and patients with rare diseases and their families will also attend. Racefor7.com has information on registration.

Besides Bengaluru, the event is being held in 13 other cities nationally including Davangere, Mysore, Ahmedabad, Mumbai, Kochi, Pune, Kolkata, New Delhi, Chennai, Hyderabad, Lucknow, and Thiruvananthapuram.

Race for7 is a step towards building awareness for rare diseases as also raising funds to meet the needs of the rare disease community. Globally, Rare Disease Day is observed every year on the last day of February Month. It plays a critical part in building an international rare disease community that is multi-disease, global, and diverse but united in purpose. Though Rare Disease Day is patient-led, everyone including individuals, families, caregivers, healthcare professionals, researchers, clinicians, policymakers, industry representatives, and the general public can participate in raising awareness and taking action today for this vulnerable population who require immediate and urgent attention. Racefor7® is one such event in India.

For more details, visit: www.ordindia.in