Speaking from Westminster, Carla Lockhart said:

“Over 300 million people across the world live with a Rare Disease. Indeed I know of some amazing people locally who also find themselves with all the challenges such a diagnosis can bring.

I thought it important to attend todays event in Westminster to show my support for people in Upper Bann who live with a rare disease. This is all about working towards equity in social opportunity, healthcare, and access to diagnosis and therapies for people living with a rare disease. So much focus can be on diseases that impact so many people, but it is vital that we do not discriminate in terms of access to help and to services simply because a diagnosis is rare.

I welcome the opportunity to learn more about the campaign and commend the organisers of Rare Disease Day for the amazing job they do in highlighting this issue.”