Rare Disease Day: Raising Awareness for Rare Cancers

Posted February 26th, 2021

Every year on the last day of February, the world recognizes rare diseases—a day now known as Rare Disease Day. Rare diseases affect approximately 25 million to 30 million people in the United States each year. The purpose of Rare Disease Day is to educate the public and raise awareness among decision-makers about the impact of […]


Bob Riter

Living with a Rare Cancer

Posted March 31st, 2016

The most common cancers in adults are prostate, breast, lung, and colorectal. Combined, these cancers account for nearly half of all cancer diagnoses. Other relatively common cancers include melanoma, kidney, leukemia and bladder. If you were diagnosed with breast cancer this past year, you might be comforted (and/or disturbed) to learn that some 235,000 other […]


February 29th is Rare Disease Day

Posted February 26th, 2016

I’ve been an oncology social worker for many years. I’ve seen countless cases of the most common cancers including breast cancer, colon cancer, lung cancer and prostate cancer. Because these cancers are more common, there are more supportive services, research dollars and awareness walks for these diseases. But, I’ve also seen a lot of rare […]