Rare storytellers educational series

February 28, 2018 marked the 11th annual Rare Disease Day. A day when people across the globe come together to recognize and honor the 350 million people worldwide who are collectively impacted by 7,000 different life-limiting and life-threatening rare diseases that have limited—if any—treatment options. Half of these people are children.

The National Organization for Rare Disorders is the official US sponsor of Rare Disease Day, which occurs on the last day of February each year. On Rare Disease Day, millions of patients and their families around the world share their stories to promote awareness of the challenges, hopes and needs of those living with rare diseases.

On Tuesday, February 27, 2018, the College of Health Sciences welcomed Harmony 4 Hope, a nonprofit charity organization that aims to fuel scientific discovery and uplift affected children and families through music and music therapy, for an enlightening evening of storytelling to learn more about rare diseases from the personal perspectives of inspiring young adult, Peter Dankelson and Marquette University alumnae, Adrienne Ott Provost (Arts ’89) and Sarah Smith (Arts ’10).

The College also welcomed Rare Disease Advocate and H4H Musical Ambassador, Trapper Schoepp, who played songs that NPR Music calls, “Rootsy, cinematic rock that charms as it soars.”

The Marquette Presents Series is a research series on issues of community health from the College of Health Sciences.