Know Rare

Know Rare Connecting Real People, Specialists and Clinical Studies in Rare Disease.

08/17/2026

Thank you so much to for sharing what she wishes people knew about her life with ITP.

In her own words "I've been living with Chronic ITP for 7 years.
I want people to know that I'm more than a platelet count. That number can't show my exhaustion, the bruises covering my body, the extra heavy periods. It doesn't show how alone I felt as a teenager watching everyone else's world open up while mine seemed to be closing.

Life with a rare illness can be lonely, but having open conversations like this helps us to create an ITP community. If you're living with ITP, you're not the only one. đź’ś
I made video this with , who help connect people with real studies and researchers."

Visit https://bit.ly/itp-rhona to find out more!

For parents of children with rare diseases, so much of daily life becomes about the roles: speech therapist, OT, PT, car...
08/07/2026

For parents of children with rare diseases, so much of daily life becomes about the roles: speech therapist, OT, PT, care coordinator, appointment scheduler, insurance advocate. But somewhere underneath all those hats is the most important one of all: just being mom. đź’™

In our latest story, V.M. shares what it's really been like raising her son Jackson, diagnosed with a genetic duplication for 4p16.3p11. She opens up about the postpartum instincts that told her something was different, the long road to a diagnosis that sat in the uncertain middle ground, and the ongoing work of holding onto her identity as his mother through it all.

She describes grief as a balloon; inflating in the hard moments, deflating as you accept and move through each phase. She reminds us that grief isn't weakness. It's love.

To every parent learning to wear all the hats while still showing up as just mom or dad, whatever that looks like on any given day: we see you.

Read Jackson and V.M.'s full story: https://www.knowrare.com/blog-v2/learning-to-mother-a-child-with-a-rare-disease

We celebrate another milestone in the clinical path to a potential treatment of Danon disease, a rare X-linked disease. ...
07/15/2026

We celebrate another milestone in the clinical path to a potential treatment of Danon disease, a rare X-linked disease. Each stage of success brings the potential for treatment closer. To find out more about research studies in Danon disease, go to knowrare.com/danon.

If you live with ITP, you know the anxiety about the number, the next test, the what-ifs at 2am. We were moved by writer...
07/09/2026

If you live with ITP, you know the anxiety about the number, the next test, the what-ifs at 2am.

We were moved by writer Chris Anselmo's () honest piece on the Know Rare blog, "Anxiety: The Unwelcome Visitor," where he names his anxiety "The Vise", that slow, crushing pressure on the chest. Giving the fear a name doesn't make it silly. It makes it yours to manage.

So we pulled together a few tips for the specific worries that come with ITP: Name it. Ask your care team the hard questions. Build a calm kit. Breathe, and return to what matters.

And know that action is one of the strongest answers to fear. That's also why we talk about clinical studies; not as a last resort, but as a way to have more eyes on your counts, more frequent monitoring, and a hand in the future of ITP treatment.

Read Chris's full piece + explore research options: https://www.knowrare.com/es-US/blog-v2/anxiety-the-unwelcome-visitor-chris-anselmo

Observational or interventional studies — what's the difference?If you or someone you love is living with Danon Disease,...
06/30/2026

Observational or interventional studies — what's the difference?

If you or someone you love is living with Danon Disease, you may have come across both kinds of clinical study. They sound similar, but they play very different roles in research.

Observational studies follow daily life and track the condition, without changing your current care. Interventional studies test a new intervention to see how it affects the way the condition is managed.

Both matter. The information gathered through observation today helps researchers design the therapy trials of tomorrow — and every story shared moves the whole community forward.

Curious whether a Danon Disease study might be right for you? We're here to help you understand your options, at your pace. Reach out anytime at https://knowrare.com/danon.

“For a long time when I was first diagnosed, I wanted to ignore it. I pretty quickly learned that’s a good way to lose a...
06/30/2026

“For a long time when I was first diagnosed, I wanted to ignore it. I pretty quickly learned that’s a good way to lose a finger.”

For Whitney , learning to live with scleroderma meant learning not to “tough it out.”

From protecting her hands and feet from the cold to preparing for air conditioning, moisturizing regularly, and addressing ulcers early, being proactive has become an important part of managing daily life.

Swipe through for Whitney’s personal tips for caring for her hands and navigating life with scleroderma.

Living with scleroderma and interested in research opportunities? Know Rare can help connect you with current studies and research.

Visit knowrare.com/scleroderma

Whitney is sharing her personal experience. This content is not medical advice. Always speak with your healthcare provider about your care.

When you're first diagnosed with a rare disease, no one hands you a map. đź’›Our friend and community member Chris Anselmo ...
06/22/2026

When you're first diagnosed with a rare disease, no one hands you a map. đź’›

Our friend and community member Chris Anselmo () has lived it — and he's sharing 9 things he wishes someone had told him after his diagnosis. From asking for help to letting yourself grieve to finding the people who've walked this path before you, swipe through for the reminders that carried him through. 👉

You are not the first to face this, and you don't have to face it alone.

Which one do you needed to hear today? Tell us in the comments. 🤍
---
Capture your own health story with HealthStory AI — just talk, and we'll turn it into something you can share. https://healthstoryai.com

06/16/2026

Whitney explains why ulcer prevention matters so much. A finger ulcer may sound small, but it can affect work, caregiving, parenting, and basic daily tasks.

Her advice: stay proactive, protect your skin, and reach out to your care team if you notice signs of infection.

If you have active ulcers, you may be eligible to participate in current research.

Please go to the link in bio or visit knowrare.com/scleroderma.

What does it mean when a condition is “X-linked”?X-linked conditions are connected to genes on the X chromosome. Because...
06/11/2026

What does it mean when a condition is “X-linked”?

X-linked conditions are connected to genes on the X chromosome. Because males and females typically have different s*x chromosome patterns, these conditions may show up differently across people.

But one thing is important to say clearly: females are not “just carriers.”

Many females with X-linked conditions experience real symptoms, need monitoring, and deserve to be included in research. Without female participation, we may miss important information about how these conditions affect the full community.

This is especially relevant in rare diseases like Danon disease, where males may often more severely affected, but females can also experience serious symptoms.

We’re grateful for organizations like Remember The Girls, who are helping bring more attention, support, and advocacy to females impacted by X-linked conditions.

06/10/2026

For Whitney, it is not only winter weather that can trigger symptoms. Sudden temperature changes, like walking from summer heat into strong air conditioning, can also be a problem.

Now, she keeps an extra layer nearby, even when it is hot outside.

If you have active ulcers, you may be eligible to participate in current research. Please go to the link in bio or visit knowrare.com/scleroderma.

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