For rare disease patients fortunate to have a treatment for their disease, there are still many barriers to accessing affordable and accessible care. From high drug costs, to insurance difficulties, to trouble finding a specialist, rare disease patients face unique hurdles to finding appropriate treatment. NORD is committed to breaking down these barriers and ensuring access to affordable treatment for every rare disease patient.

Through our Rare Action Network, Patient Assistance Programs, Corporate Council, and Advocacy work.

NORD's Rare Action Network? (RAN) is the nation's rare disease advocacy network working to improve the lives of the 30 million Americans impacted by rare disease. The mission of RAN is to connect and empower a unified network of individuals and organizations with tools, training, and resources to become effective advocates for rare diseases through national and state based initiatives across the United States. Since 1987, NORD has provided assistance programs to help patients obtain life-saving or life-sustaining medication they could not otherwise afford. These programs provide medication, financial assistance with insurance premiums and co-pays, diagnostic testing assistance, and travel assistance for clinical trials or consultation with disease specialists.

By expanding programs to serve others, NORD monitors progress by compiling information on the number of patients served annually.

For more than 30 years, we have been providing services for patients and their families, rare disease patient organizations, medical professionals, and those seeking to develop new diagnostics and treatments. We are here to support every member of the rare disease community with programs and services focused on one ultimate goal: to improve the lives of individuals and families affected by rare diseases. We hope to continue doing this through patient advocacy, patient and professional education, patient assistance programs, mentorship for patient organizations, research support, and international partnerships.