Rare Disease Day 2026: #ShowYourStripes & #LearnYourStripes
February 28
Rare Disease Day 2026 is your chance to stand with the 3.5 million people in the UK living with a rare disease, and to take one small action that can make a big difference.
Since 2022, Medics for Rare Disease has invited healthcare professionals (HCPs), medical students and supporters to #ShowYourStripes by wearing stripy socks to spark conversations, raise awareness and show solidarity with the rare community.
In 2026, we’re going one step further.
Alongside dusting off your stripey socks, we’re launching #LearnYourStripes, a major push to deepen understanding of rare diseases across healthcare and beyond. This year, we’re asking HCPs not only to show their support, but to build their rare disease knowledge by completing our 5‑minute Rare Disease training video. (Watch this space for more details!)
Why this matters
While there are thousands of individual rare diseases, people affected by them face strikingly similar challenges.
* 3.5 million people in the UK are living with a rare disease, as many as those living with cancer
* Patients wait an average of 5 years for a diagnosis, often being passed between specialists and undergoing unnecessary tests
* Despite this, there is no standardised rare disease education in UK medical school curricula or specialty training
* In a 2023 Medics for Rare Disease study, 73% of medical students surveyed could not correctly define a rare disease
Greater rare awareness in healthcare can shorten diagnostic journeys, reduce patient harm and improve experiences for people living with rare conditions.
How to get involved
In the week running up to Rare Disease Day (Saturday 28 February 2026), we’re inviting healthcare professionals and supporters to:
1. #ShowYourStripes
* Wear a pair of stripey socks at work or at home
* Share a photo on social media using #ShowYourStripes
* Tag @MedicsForRare to help spread the message
2. #LearnYourStripes
* Complete our 5‑minute Rare Disease training video at: https://www.m4rd.org/
* Encourage colleagues, teams and students to do the same
* For enquiries about in‑person training, email: hello@m4rd.org
This website uses cookies to improve your experience. We'll assume you're ok with this, but you can opt-out if you wish. Cookie settingsACCEPT
Privacy & Cookies Policy
Privacy Overview
This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these cookies, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are as essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may have an effect on your browsing experience.
Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. These cookies do not store any personal information.
Rare Disease Day 2026 is your chance to stand with the 3.5 million people in the UK living with a rare disease, and to take one small action that can make a big difference.
Since 2022, Medics for Rare Disease has invited healthcare professionals (HCPs), medical students and supporters to #ShowYourStripes by wearing stripy socks to spark conversations, raise awareness and show solidarity with the rare community.
In 2026, we’re going one step further.
Alongside dusting off your stripey socks, we’re launching #LearnYourStripes, a major push to deepen understanding of rare diseases across healthcare and beyond. This year, we’re asking HCPs not only to show their support, but to build their rare disease knowledge by completing our 5‑minute Rare Disease training video. (Watch this space for more details!)
Why this matters
While there are thousands of individual rare diseases, people affected by them face strikingly similar challenges.
* 3.5 million people in the UK are living with a rare disease, as many as those living with cancer
* Patients wait an average of 5 years for a diagnosis, often being passed between specialists and undergoing unnecessary tests
* Despite this, there is no standardised rare disease education in UK medical school curricula or specialty training
* In a 2023 Medics for Rare Disease study, 73% of medical students surveyed could not correctly define a rare disease
Greater rare awareness in healthcare can shorten diagnostic journeys, reduce patient harm and improve experiences for people living with rare conditions.
How to get involved
In the week running up to Rare Disease Day (Saturday 28 February 2026), we’re inviting healthcare professionals and supporters to:
1. #ShowYourStripes
* Wear a pair of stripey socks at work or at home
* Share a photo on social media using #ShowYourStripes
* Tag @MedicsForRare to help spread the message
2. #LearnYourStripes
* Complete our 5‑minute Rare Disease training video at: https://www.m4rd.org/
* Encourage colleagues, teams and students to do the same
* For enquiries about in‑person training, email: hello@m4rd.org
Details