Please mark your calendar for Rare Disease Week on Capitol Hill from February 29^th through March 3^rd.  During this exciting week, rare disease community members from across the country learn about federal legislative issues, meet other advocates, and share their unique stories with legislators.

SCHEDULE

The week includes a variety of events including:
· Monday, February 29^th, 7:30am – 3:30pm: Rare Disease Day at the National Institutes of Health (NIH). Registration is available here.*
*Shuttles will be available to transport advocates from NIH to the cocktail reception and documentary screening. Wheelchairs can be accommodated.
· Monday, February 29^th, 5:30 – 9:30pm: Cocktail Reception and Rare Disease Documentary Screening featuring Dusty’s Trail: Summit of Borneo at the U.S. Naval Heritage Center
· Tuesday, March 1^st, 8:30am – 5pm: Legislative Conference at FHI 360
· Wednesday, March 2^nd, 7:30 – 9am: Lobby Day Breakfast at the Capitol Hill Club
· Wednesday, March 2^nd, 9am – 5pm: Scheduled Meetings with Members of the House and Senate
· Thursday, March 3^rd, 12-1pm, Congressional Rare Disease Caucus Briefing in the U.S. Capitol Visitor Center
· Thursday, March 3^rd, 5-7pm: Rare Artist Reception in the Rayburn House Office Building
All of these events are free and open to the public. Registration is required and will be available at https://rareadvocates.org/rdw/ on January 5^th, with the exception of Rare Disease Day at NIH which is open and available here.
TRAVEL STIPEND
In order to enable more advocates to attend, the EveryLife Foundation for Rare Diseases is providing travel stipends to offset travel costs.  Our goal is to have advocates from all fifty states and Puerto Rico in attendance. The deadline to apply is December 31^st and applicants will be notified in early January.  Please note that there is a limit of one stipend per family.  Selected advocates in Alaska, Hawaii and Puerto Rico will receive $1000 while advocates in the continental U.S. (outside of the Washington, DC region) are eligible to receive $600. Apply today!
HOTEL BLOCK
There is a block with a limited number of rooms at the Fairfax at Embassy Row from Sunday, February 28^th, through Friday March 4^th.  Please mention Rare Disease Legislative Advocates when you book to get the special rate of $219 for a king (or ADA king) and $239 for a double.  The rooms are single or double occupancy, with a charge of $30 for each additional person. You can book online or with the toll-free registration line at 888-627-8439.  There is a limited number of ADA rooms available at the hotel, so we advise anyone who needs one to book early.
PREPARATORY WEBINARS
Rare Disease Legislative Advocates will hold two webinars to help advocates prepare for the week of events.  The first, to be held on January 20^th at 2pm EST, will provide an introduction to Rare Disease Week on Capitol Hill with an overview of the events. The second, to be held on February 23^rd at 2pm EST, will provide more detailed advice to participants such as what to wear and what to bring for each event, and where to find additional resources. You can register now for the January 20^th webinar.
PATIENT STORIES
Unable to join us for Rare Disease Week on Capitol Hill? Please submit your unique patient story with us by February 15 for advocates to hand-deliver to your Member of Congress.

Thank you to the sponsors of Rare Disease Week on Capitol Hill:

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