Medics for Rare Disease’s new, ultra-compact training video is now available to watch here. In the run-up to Rare Disease Day, 28th February, we are striving to get the video in-front of as many fresh eyes as possible and we need your help!

February is Rare Disease Month and we are asking all of our Ambassadors, allies, supporters and friends to help us spread the word… It has never been easier to become more ‘rare aware’. ‘Learn Your Stripes’ in under five minutes with our new mini training video. 

Spread the word #LearnYourStripes

Once you have completed the short video you will be able to download a digital badge. We are asking all of our supporters to pop the badge onto Instagram or LinkedIn, to help spread the message. Those not on social media can forward my email, word of mouth, or by displaying one of our posters in your place of work or study. Or just get together with colleagues and watch the video, perhaps during your coffee break or team meeting. Every additional healthcare professional who watches the video means the NHS a step closer to becoming rare aware, and better equipped to efficiently care for those people living with rare conditions.

Becoming Rare Aware

Just a reminder that all of Medics for Rare Disease training is free for those working in UK healthcare. Despite the 3.5 million people living with a rare disease in the UK – and the vast array of shared characteristics and challenges these people face – there is no dedicated rare disease training in mainstream medical curriculums. Our new video was designed to be ultra-compact, to fit in with the busy schedules of NHS staff and medical students.

#ShowYourStripes

As most of you will know, since 2022 we have called on medics to #ShowYourStripes for Rare Disease Day and we are still asking you to show support by wearing stripey socks and posting photographs online. 28th February falls on a Saturday and we are asking you to dig out your stripey socks and ‘show your stripes’ as much as you can, during the final week of February. Don’t forget to post images on Instagram or LinkedIn #ShowYourStripes @MedicsForRare. 

Want to know more? Hop over to our dedicated Rare Disease Day 2026 page here for further information about the campaign or to download posters or social media assets.

Thank you to our 2026 Partner Companies for supporting this campaign: Alexion, AstraZeneca Rare Disease; Alnylam Pharmaceuticals; Amicus Therapeutics; Emotive; Kyowa Kirin International plc; Medscape Education; Orchard Therapeutics; pRxEngage; Sobi UK & Ireland; and Takeda UK & Ireland.  (Sponsorship does not equate to endorsement of any pharmaceutical company or its products. To find out more, visit www.m4rd.org/sponsors.)

A special shout out… Emotive is a global medical communications agency that has been supporting Medics for Rare Disease for 8 years on a pro-bono basis! Thank you to the emotive team for your beautiful and inspired artwork for this campaign.