Dear EURORDIS Members,

EURORDIS is delighted to announce its first fundraising Gala Dinner to be held in Brussels, Belgium: capital city of the European Union. This event will be launched on Rare Disease Day 2012.

EURORDIS Gala Dinner
Celebrating Rare Disease Day 2012:
Solidarity & Hope for Rare Disease Patients throughout Europe

Wednesday, 29 February, 2012
Hotel Le Plaza – Brussels, Belgium

This is a pioneering initiative and an opportunity for EURORDIS to place the rare disease cause in the forefront of opinion maker’s minds as there are no other pan-European, annual, fundraising dinners currently held in Europe to benefit rare disease patients.

The EURORDIS Gala Dinner will provide an excellent opportunity for leaders and key contributors in the field of rare diseases to help promote the cause and to network. Attendees will include government agency representatives, researchers/academics, corporate representatives and patients/patient organisation representatives.

For more details about the Gala, we invite you to visit the official website at: www.galadinner.eurordis.org.

On this special evening, we will honour and award pioneering individuals and companies for their outstanding achievements and contributions to the rare disease community. Your opinion counts! This is your opportunity to submit a nomination for an individual and/or company in any or all of the following award categories:

European RD Leadership Award

This award will be presented to an individual having demonstrated remarkable leadership on a European level in the domain of rare diseases.

Submit your nomination for this award including a short description of the leadership skills your nominee has demonstrated in the domain of rare diseases to Anja Helm at anja.helm@eurordis.org.

Policy Maker Leadership Award

This award will be presented to a policy maker whose dedication and commitment to rare diseases has made a difference to the rare disease community.

Submit your nomination for this award including a short description of why you think your nominee deserves to receive this award to Anja Helm at anja.helm@eurordis.org.

Patient Organisation Award

This award will be presented to a patient organisation demonstrating innovative methods in patient support or advocacy.

Submit your nomination for this award including a short description of the innovative methods used by your nominated patient organisation to Anja Helm at anja.helm@eurordis.org.

EURORDIS Volunteer Award

This award will be presented to an individual who has made an outstanding contribution to EURORDIS and the rare disease community on a volunteer basis.

Submit your nomination for this award including a short description of the achievements and commitment to the cause of your nominee to Anja Helm at anja.helm@eurordis.org.

Scientific Award

This award will be presented to a distinguished researcher whose career represents a unique blend of scientific excellence and support of the patient community.

Submit your nomination for this award including a short description of his/her contribution to research in the domain of rare diseases, a list of publications and career achievements to Anja Helm at anja.helm@eurordis.org.

Media Award

This award will be presented to the author/publisher/producer of a print/TV/radio/ internet programme, article, series, book or film that has contributed to better the understanding of rare diseases or issues surrounding rare diseases.

Submit your nomination for this award clearly stating the title of the programme/article/series/book/film, the name of the author/publisher/producer and a short description about the content and impact on the rare disease community and/or how it has helped to raise awareness. Send your nomination to Anja Helm at anja.helm@eurordis.org.

Company Awards

Three awards will be presented to three pioneering companies developing treatments for rare diseases. Companies that liaise with patient organisations and do all they can to provide easy access to their drug(s) in all Member States will be privileged.

Submit your nomination(s) for this award clearly stating the name of the company and including a short description of the specific treatments or therapies the company has developed for rare diseases. Evidence of how they actively liaise with patient organisations will weigh in their favour. Send your nomination to Anja Helm at anja.helm@eurordis.org.

The winners of the EURORDIS Gala Dinner Awards will be announced at the EURORDIS Gala Dinner on 29 February 2012.

Deadline for Submissions: 30 September 2011

We very much look forward to your active participation.

Kind regards,