International Rare Disease Day and Rare Animal Children's Book Launch

    VANCOUVER, BC, February 24, 2017 /24-7PressRelease/ -- On February 28, 2017, families, caregivers, researchers, and clinicians across the country will gather to raise awareness and support Canadians impacted by a rare disease. Celebrations will feature informative and educational talks from researchers and parents as well as a special surprises for the kids.

To mark this special celebration, BC Place Stadium and Vancouver City Hall will be lit in Rare Disease Foundation colours on February 27th and 28th. The festivities will kick off on February 27th, 2017 with a civic proclamation recognizing Rare Disease Day. Following the announcement, fun family activities and games will be taking place from 6:00 pm- 8:30 pm at the Chan Centre, BC Children's Hospital Research Institute.

"Nearly three million Canadians will experience a rare condition in their lifetimes. We are coming together in cities across the country to raise awareness of the unique challenges faced by individuals and families who are living with a rare disease" stated Dr. Millan Patel, Research Director for the Rare Disease Foundation.

From Victoria to St. John, up to 10 cities will be participating in this year's festivities. Other participating cities also include Calgary, Edmonton, Winnipeg, Kitchener-Waterloo, London, Hamilton and Toronto. As awareness continues to grow so do engaged communities. These communities consist of families whose children live with a rare disease and dedicated researchers and healthcare providers who work hard to provide the best possible care for extraordinary kids.

Rare Is Everywhere is an exquisite book written by Ms. Deborah Katz. Ms. Katz's illuminating words and illustrations will take young readers on a journey through the animal kingdom. Revealing that grasshoppers can be pink, tigers can be white, lobsters can be blue; Rare Is Everywhere tells of the surprising differences within species in the animal world. It demonstrates that rare species are everywhere. Their uniqueness is special and is something to celebrate.

Deborah Katz boasts a successful career as a nursing professor, author, and illustrator. "Genes make people and animals different in surprising and amazing ways. In British Columbia, some black bears are white, and there's even a cheetah in the world that has no spots at all," stated Deborah. "Many children feel alone in their difference, whether they are genetic, behavioral, or cultural. I wanted to write a book that shows children that there are differences - beautiful differences - in every species, in every corner of the world, and importantly, in every single one of us," concluded Ms. Katz.

The book will be launched on February 27, 2017, at BC's Children's Hospital and available nationwide on Rare Disease Day. The grand unveiling of Rare Is Everywhere will begin at 6:00 pm. Proceeds of the book will be donated to the Rare Disease Foundation.

For more information on the Rare Disease Foundation, please contact:
David Cox, Executive Director
Rare Disease Foundation
Email - [email protected]
Phone: 604-318-0237
http://www.rarediseasefoundation.org/

For more information on the Rare Is Everywhere book, please contact:
Deborah Katz c/o
Miss Bird Books
Email: [email protected]
Books can be ordered from the book's website:
www.rareiseverywhere.com

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