The resolution designates the last day of February each year as Rare Disease Awareness Day in New Jersey. This initiative aims to raise public awareness about rare diseases, which are defined by the National Institutes of Health as conditions affecting fewer than 200,000 individuals in the U.S. There are nearly 7,000 such diseases impacting approximately 30 million Americans and their families. Many of these conditions are serious and debilitating, leading to significant challenges for patients and their families, including isolation, difficulties in obtaining accurate diagnoses, and limited access to effective treatments.

The resolution calls for the Governor to issue an annual proclamation encouraging public officials and citizens to observe Rare Disease Awareness Day with appropriate activities and programs. By promoting awareness, the resolution seeks to support patients and families affected by rare diseases and to foster further research into these conditions and their treatments. The observance aligns with a nationwide initiative led by the National Organization for Rare Disorders (NORD), which aims to highlight rare diseases as a critical public health issue.