𝐂𝐀𝐏𝐈𝐓𝐎𝐋 𝐆𝐋𝐎𝐖𝐒 𝐏𝐔𝐑𝐏𝐋𝐄 𝐅𝐎𝐑 𝐑𝐀𝐑𝐄 𝐃𝐈𝐒𝐄𝐀𝐒𝐄 𝐃𝐀𝐘, 𝐒𝐇𝐎𝐖𝐈𝐍𝐆 𝐒𝐎𝐋𝐈𝐃𝐀𝐑𝐈𝐓𝐘 𝐖𝐈𝐓𝐇 𝐅𝐈𝐋𝐈𝐏𝐈𝐍𝐎 𝐅𝐀𝐌𝐈𝐋𝐈𝐄𝐒
The Capitol glows purple at 7 p.m. on Feb. 28 in observance of Rare Disease Day, part of the global “Light Up for Rare” campaign held annually on the last day of February.
The display signals the Cebu Provincial Government’s solidarity with Filipino families living with rare conditions that are often misunderstood, underdiagnosed and underserved.
In the Philippines, a disease is considered rare if it affects no more than 1 in 20,000 individuals. More than 7,000 rare diseases have been identified worldwide, affecting an estimated 300 million people. About 80% are genetic in origin, 75% affect children, and patients wait an average of eight years for an accurate diagnosis. Despite the scale of need, only a small fraction of rare diseases have approved treatments.
The country observes National Rare Disease Week during the last week of February under Presidential Proclamation No. 1989. The Rare Diseases Act of the Philippines, along with the Universal Health Care Act and the Newborn Screening Act, provides policy support, early detection and access to services for persons with rare diseases, who are recognized as persons with disabilities.
Purple, the international color for rare disease awareness, symbolizes unity, courage and hope.
The lighting ceremony aims to raise awareness, encourage early diagnosis and promote equitable access to treatment and care for all Filipinos living with rare conditions. /𝑪𝑨𝑷𝑰𝑻𝑶𝑳 𝑷𝑰𝑶, 𝑺𝒐𝒖𝒓𝒄𝒆: 𝑫𝒓. 𝑬𝒍𝒊𝒔𝒔𝒆 𝑵𝒊𝒄𝒐𝒍𝒆 𝑪𝒂𝒕𝒂𝒍𝒂𝒏 𝑭𝑩 𝒂𝒄𝒄𝒐𝒖𝒏
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