Global Genes Awards 14 Patient Organizations

Global Genes�, a leading rare disease patient advocacy organization, is proud to announce the 2017 RARE Patient Impact Grant recipients. Launched at the 2015 RARE Tribute to Champions of Hope, this program directs financial support to deserving rare disease foundations and patient advocacy groups providing equipment, resources, and support to rare disease patients and their caregivers.

Now in its second year, the 2017 RARE Patient Grant Program offers two categories of funding, RARE Innovation and RARE Support. The 2017 grants were awarded to organizations making great progress on the path to finding treatments and cures for rare disease patients.

Collectively, rare disease affects 30 million Americans and 350 million people worldwide. The National Institutes of Health estimates that 50 percent of people affected by rare diseases are children, making rare diseases one of the deadliest and most debilitating worldwide.

"I'm overwhelmed with joy that the RARE Patient Impact Grant program continues to grow and distribute funds to such a worthy recipient base," explains Nicole Boice, Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Global Genes. "Imagine how much closer we could be to finding cures and treatments if Global Genes could grant funds to all applicants -- we want to do more."

The RARE Patient Impact Grant program is funded by community donations, individual donors, funds from Global Genes fundraising events such as the Denim Dash, the Tribute to Champions of Hope, and more. Global Genes is committed to growing this signature program each year and making it easier for organizations to apply and receive the critical funding needed.

Global Genes would like to congratulate the fourteen grant awardees: