Healx supports Cambridge Rare Disease Summit 2015
On Monday 14 September Healx was proud to support the first annual Summit of the Cambridge Rare Disease Network (CRDN). An organisation established to bring together the key stakeholders in rare disease research and development, to encourage dialogue and increase awareness of rare diseases.
With speakers representing patient groups, pharma, social entrepreneurs and academia, some of the top minds in the country came together to share ideas about how to make life better for those living with a rare disease today. High profile speakers included Prof Stephen Hawking; Dr Hermann Hauser, KBE; Dr Jonathan Milner; Prof Sir Greg Winter; and Mr Alastair Kent, OBE amongst many others. International speakers included Dr Matt Might and Dr Bruce Bloom from the United States.
The day was clearly focused on how collaboration will make the key difference to those with a rare condition. With the main theme being the need to put patient groups and charities at the centre of the development process of treatments. A sentiment shared by all at Healx.
One of the highlights of the Summit was the closing keynote video message from Professor Stephen Hawking, offering a moving insight into his own experience of living with the rare disease ALS. And raising the question of how many more great minds could the world be losing to rare diseases.
The event also received prominent media coverage, including pieces on the Radio 4 Today Programme, BBC Look East and Cambridge TV:
“Social entrepreneurship in rare diseases” – BBC Radio4 Today Programme (49 minutes in)
“Healx supports Cambridge Rare Disease Summit” – Cambridge Evening News
“Technology provides hope for rare disease patients” – Health Awareness
Head to Cambridge TV for further coverage
For more information about the Summit visit the CRDN blog.