NORD

(1) Rare Disease Database (full-text reports on over 1,100 diseases and disorders).

If you know the name of the disease, select this link (“Rare Disease Database”) in the left frame and enter the name. If you do NOT know the name, select “Index of Rare Diseases” in the left frame to view an alphabetical listing.

(2) Orphan Drug Designation Database (information on new and experimental orphan products).

Select this database name link in the left frame and enter the drug name.

NOTE: Truncated searching is acceptable – e.g. thal or thal* will yield search results for thalidomide.

(3) Organizational Database (information and links to support groups or other help sources).

Select this database name link in the left frame and enter the name.

NOTE: Organizations and Web site links can also be found at the end of the reports in the Rare Disease Database.

Mission Statement

The National Organization for Rare Disorders (NORD) is a unique federation of voluntary health organizations dedicated to helping people with rare "orphan" diseases and assisting the organizations that serve them. NORD is committed to the identification, treatment, and cure of rare disorders through programs of education, advocacy, research, and service.

What is A Rare Disorder?

A rare or "orphan" disease affects fewer than 200,000 people in the United States. There are more than 6,000 rare disorders that, taken together, affect approximately 25 million Americans. One in every 10 individuals in this country has received a diagnosis of a rare disease. For almost twenty years, NORD has served as the primary non-governmental clearinghouse for information on rare disorders. NORD also provides referrals support groups and other sources of assistance.