Media invited to attend 2nd Annual Conference for Canadians with Rare Disorders in Ottawa, May 1st & 2nd

    OTTAWA, April 30 /CNW/ - On Friday, May 1st, researchers, clinicians,
geneticists, government representatives, and drug developers will meet with
patients and families affected by rare disorders to discuss the creation of
Canada's first national program for rare disorders. Professor Amir Attaran,
lawyer and immunologist, will open this two-day conference with a talk
entitled Right to Care: Equal Treatment for Rare Disorders.
    The Canadian Organization for Rare Disorders (CORD), host of this unique
conference, is calling upon all levels of government, research institutes, and
healthcare providers to "work together to meet the challenge of rare
disorders." According to Durhane Wong-Rieger, President of CORD, "Canada is
one of the few developed countries without a policy to support treatment for
rare disorders." In May 2008, the Members of Parliament passed Motion 426
calling for one-year report on progress toward a national program for rare
disorders. But little has been done since that day.WHAT:  2nd Canadian Conference on Rare Disorders
           "n of 1: Working Together to Meet the Challenge of Rare Disorders"
           Hosted by Durhane Wong-Rieger, President of CORD.

    WHEN:  Friday and Saturday, May 1-2, 2009
           8:30 am - 4:30 pm

    WHERE: Ottawa Marriott Hotel
           100 Kent Street
           Ottawa, Ontario

           (xx) For a detailed agenda, please visit:
           http://www.raredisorders.ca/newsEvents.html

    RSVP:  A reply is appreciated at [e-mail] or
           [phone]

For further information: please visit: www.raredisorders.ca Or call:
Angela Covato, [phone]; Stephanie Yack, [e-mail],
[phone]; Joanne Koskie, [e-mail], [phone]