Hannah and Ben Raskin-Gross and Julie Raskin.

There’s a day for everything, from things like National Pancake Day, National Penguin Awareness Dayand even a National Play-doh Day, but there are “National” days that deserve more attention. Today is one of those days–Rare Disease Day.

This annual event aims to raise awareness of rare disorders which affect 1 in ten people. Individual disorders affect very few people and people with these conditions are at a disadvantage because few doctors are involved in finding better treatments and cures for these diseases. There is not a lot of money set aside for research into better treatment and cures. By banding together on this day, patient organizations are able to receive some media attention. 

Rare Disease Day is an international effort. People all over the world are holding events–even here in Baristaville. Today in Glen Ridge some of the high school students are taking part by raising awareness for a variety of rare diseases, including Congenital Hyperinsulinism. 

GRHS Biology AP students, including Hannah Raskin-Gross, are teaching the 9th grade biology classes about rare genetic diseases and about 30 students and teachers will be wearing a T-shirt designed for this day to raise awareness about Congenital Hyperinsulinism, the rare disorder that runs in the Raskin-Gross family.  

Ben Raskin-Gross, age 14, was diagnosed with the disease at 10-days-old. Ben’s mom, Julie Raskin, shared more about Ben’s diagnoses and Hyperinsulinism, HI for short:

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