Canadian Rare Disease Network

Information Session: 2025-2026 Funding Opportunity for Rare Disease Registry Improvement
2025-04-02 13:00 - 14:00 (America/Halifax)

Conscience Symposium on Open Drug Discovery
2025-04-07 08:00 - 2025-04-08 17:00 (America/New_York)

Child Health and Wellness Seminar: Discovery Series: Understanding Mental Health and Neurodiversity Through Systems Neuroscience
2025-04-07 08:30 - 09:30 (America/New_York)
Understanding and supporting mental health and neurodiversity requires insight into the brain systems that regulate attention, motivation, mood and thought. Dr. Gruber’slab studies the brain’s role in these functions and how they are shaped by risk factors such as stress, inflammation and abused drugs.

Caregiving Essentials Webinar: Mapping a Brighter Future for Canadian Caregivers
2025-04-07 10:00 - 11:00 (America/Halifax)

Five Good Ideas to support and benefit from working caregivers in your workplace
2025-04-09 11:00 - 12:00 (America/New_York)

RareKids-CAN Annual Conference
2025-04-10 08:00 - 2025-04-11 17:00 (America/New_York)
The mission of the RareKids-CAN: Pediatric Rare Disease Clinical Trials and Treatment Network Strategic Planning Conference is to collaboratively shape the future of pediatric rare disease research and clinical trial capacity in Canada. By bringing together over 100 patient and family partners, researchers, sub-platform leaders, and key stakeholders, they aim to co-develop a shared vision that accelerates pediatric drug development and progress in clinical trials, improves treatment access, and strengthens national and international partnerships.

RDI: Leveraging the EML for Access to Rare Disease Treatments
2025-04-10 14:00 - 15:00 UTC
The WHO Essential Medicines List (EML) is a critical instrument for advancing Universal Health Coverage (UHC) by ensuring equitable access to essential medicines. However, its role in rare disease treatment remains under-recognized. This webinar will explore how the EML can serve as a powerful tool to improve access to treatments for persons living with a rare disease (PLWRD) at both global and national levels.
Webinar Objectives:

Gain a deeper understanding of the WHO Essential Medicines List and its significance for rare diseases
Learn about the findings from RDI’s Essential Medicine Working Group on challenges, best practices, and opportunities for regarding the application process of EML
Hear about call-to-action to enhance global and national access to essential medicines

ACE Inhibitors as a Cardioprotective Treatment in Dystrophinopathies.
2025-04-17 10:00 - 11:00 (America/Halifax)
Join C-PATH on April 17, noon ET, for an insightful presentation by Dr. Karim Wahbi, Professor of Cardiology at the University of Paris and head of the Reference Center for Neuromuscular Cardiomyopathies. Dr. Wahbi specializes in the clinical management of cardiomyopathies, with a focus on neuromuscular diseases like Duchenne muscular dystrophy.

Mitochondrial Transplantation and Next Generation Therapeutics Conference
2025-04-27 08:00 - 2025-04-29 17:00 (America/Halifax)
Join Northwell Health on April 27-29, 2025, at Hofstra University on Long Island (NY) for a unique forum for the presentation and discussion of new research developments in mitochondrial transfer and transplantation.

Summit 2025: Ending The Diagnostic Odyssey
2025-04-28 08:00 - 2025-04-30 17:00 UTC | washington, WA, United States
A first-of-its kind collaborative event for Undiagnosed, Ultra-Rare & Rare disease industry, clinical and community leaders.
The diagnostic odyssey for rare diseases is a significant challenge, often leaving patients and families lost in a maze of tests, misdiagnoses, missed opportunities to participate in clinical trials, and delayed treatment. Summit 2025 brings together a diverse group of stakeholders – patient advocates, industry leaders, policymakers, clinicians, researchers and payers – to chart a collaborative path towards a future where timely and accurate diagnoses are a reality for all with rare diseases.

Canadian Rare Disease Innovation Showcase 2025
2025-04-28 16:00 - 20:15 (America/Chicago)
Join us on Monday, April 28, 2025, at The Westin Hotel in downtown Calgary (or virtually) for an inspiring afternoon dedicated to innovation, collaboration, and progress in rare disease research and care.
This event will spotlight innovative advancements and inspiring stories from Canada’s rare disease community. Through engaging lightning talks and networking opportunities, you’ll connect with experts, exchange ideas, and be part of the movement driving meaningful change.
Every discovery has the power to change lives. Be part of the conversation and help shape the future of rare disease care in Canada.

Health Data for All of Us: A Public Dialogue on AI in Health
2025-04-29 08:00 - 16:00 (America/New_York)
Join HRDN conversation about key ethical, equity and privacy challenges related to AI and health!

Save the Date: Rare Disease Day 2025 Conference
2025-04-29 08:00 - 2025-05-01 17:00 (America/Denver)

Genome BC’s Genomics Forum 2025
2025-04-30 08:00 - 17:00 (America/Vancouver)

Myotonic Dystrophy Foundation Conference 2025
2025-05-01 08:00 - 2025-05-04 17:00 (America/New_York)
MDF invites you to attend the Professional Track at the 2025 MDF Conference in Indianapolis, Indiana from May 1st to May 4th! Sometimes called the “DM family reunion” – the MDF Conference is an event to unite the DM community in our journey towards treatments and a cure for myotonic dystrophy (DM). This year’s program includes educational sessions exploring research, drug development, symptom management, and other critical topics for DM families, plus opportunities for formal and informal networking, wellness, and fun!

FSHS 360 Conference
2025-05-03 08:00 - 17:00 (America/Toronto)
Patients and family members affected by FSHD are invited to attend an event hosted by the FSHD Canada Foundation and the FSHD Society! The FSHD 360 Conference Ontario is an event where patients and family can meet leaders in FSHD research and hear the latest updates, including presentations from NMD4C investigators Dr Lawrence Korngut and Dr Hanns Lochmuller.

FSHD 360 Conference
2025-05-03 08:00 - 17:00 (America/Toronto)
FSHD research and drug development is in a new era. Do you know what’s happening and how this might impact your life? Here’s your chance to hear from the research and advocacy leaders in Ontario as well as from biopharmaceutical companies that are working on FSHD therapies. Get answers to your questions about your health, maintaining optimal function through physical therapy, exercise, assistive devices, and more. Don’t miss out on the opportunity to meet patients and families and network with FSHD Society leaders and activists in the community!

Applying Principles of Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, and Accessibility in Patient Engagement with Equity Seeking Groups
2025-05-05 15:00 - 17:00 (America/New_York)

Save the date: Redefining Patient Engagement
2025-05-08 08:00 - 17:00 (America/Denver)

15th MGFA International Conference on Myasthenia and Related Disorders
2025-05-13 08:00 - 2025-05-15 17:00 (Europe/Paris)
Hosted by the MGFA, this influential gathering of neuromuscular researchers and medical professionals is a prominent opportunity to present your work and hear from accomplished peers from around the world. We hope that you will be able to join us for this premier scientific gathering of global MG leaders.

Rett Rounds: Live Webinar Education Session
2025-05-13 18:30 - 20:30 (America/Toronto)

Society for Clinical Trials’ 2025 Annual Meeting “Shaping the Future: The Right Questions, Robust Answers”
2025-05-18 08:00 - 2025-05-21 17:00 (America/Vancouver)

CureDuchenne 2025 FUTURES National Conference
2025-05-22 08:00 - 2025-05-25 17:00 (America/Kentucky/Louisville)
This annual event is dedicated to providing education, connection, and hope to the entire Duchenne community.

Indigenous Data Governance Principles & New Approaches to Race-Related Data
2025-05-22 13:00 - 14:00 (America/Edmonton)
Working closely with First Nations, Inuit and Métis partners as well as urban Indigenous health service providers, ICES has developed unique partnerships that include data governance and data sharing agreements. This work, supported by the Indigenous Partnerships, Data and Analytics department at ICES, enables Indigenous-driven analyses using ICES data. In this session, Dominique Legacy and Laura Ferreira-Legere will discuss becoming a trusted partner and forming partnerships with Indigenous communities and organizations. They’ll explore current processes for using Indigenous data, and share how this work has informed planning for community governance of immigration data at ICES

unfolding PANS PANDAS | reshaping BRAIN+BODY health
2025-05-29 08:00 - 2025-05-30 17:00 (America/Edmonton)
This inaugural national conference brings together leading experts from Canada and beyond to explore the physiological and psychological complexities of Pediatric Acute-onset Neuropsychiatric Syndrome (PANS) and Pediatric Autoimmune Neuropsychiatric Disorder Associated with Streptococcal Infections (PANDAS).

Unity Through Rheumatic Diseases: In-Person Event
2025-05-31 08:00 - 17:00 (America/New_York)
Take a Pain Check Foundation is thrilled to invite you to Unity Through Rheumatic Diseases, an in-person event dedicated to promoting collaboration and driving change in rheumatology. Join us on Saturday, May 31, 2025, from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM EST at the InterContinental Toronto Centre (225 Front St W, Toronto, ON M5V 2X3) for a day of insightful discussions, networking, and empowerment.

Advancing Innovation in Rare Disease Research
2025-06-02 08:00 - 2025-06-03 17:00 (America/Vancouver)
Join researchers, clinicians, and industry leaders to discuss real-world research breakthroughs, novel #ClinicalTrial designs, and how NORD’s Rare Disease Centers of Excellence are leading collaborative efforts in #RareDisease innovation.

BHI Cafe Scientific-Where the brain and heart meet
2025-06-04 18:00 - 20:00 (America/Toronto)
This event will highlight innovative, patient-oriented strategies designed to address fragmented care for brain and heart conditions. Although brain and heart health are closely linked, the heath care system often treats them in isolation. This Café Scientific will showcase how research is driving real-world solutions that enhance patient care.

Superficial Siderosis Symposium 2025
2025-06-11 08:00 - 2025-06-13 17:00 (America/Halifax)
Join the Superficial Siderosis Research Alliance (SSRA) for a three-day symposium dedicated to patients, caregivers, clinicians, and researchers focused on advancing care, treatment, and research for superficial siderosis.

Community Conversation: The Living Rare Study
2025-06-12 16:00 - 17:00 (America/Edmonton)
Join NORD on Thursday, June 12 at 4 p.m. ET for a virtual conversation about the #LivingRareStudy. This session will guide you through joining the first large-scale study in the U.S. focused on tracking the real-life experiences of individuals and caregivers impacted by #RareDiseases, including how to create an #IAMRARE account, review the consent form, and navigate the platform.
