The National Organization for Rare Disorders (NORD), an independent nonprofit organization that represents 30 million U.S. residents with rare diseases, recently received federal funds to help stop the Zika virus.
This announcement was made after President Barack Obama approved federal funds specifically designated for the fight against the Zika virus.
“On behalf of the 30 million Americans with rare diseases, more than half of whom are children, the National Organization for Rare Disorders applauds the president, House of Representatives and the Senate for taking critical and much-needed action in the past week to pass legislation to fight the Zika virus,” Peter Saltonstall, president and CEO of NORD, said. “Today President Obama signed the Continuing Resolution passed by the House of Representatives yesterday that will provide $1.1 billion in federal funding that will help protect children and families from this virus that can cause the rare disease microcephaly and various other birth defects.”
Moving forward, NORD will continue to have a leading position in the fight against Zika, which has been spreading across the globe.
“NORD is proud to have participated in coalition led by the March of Dimes and to have worked with other patient advocacy groups since mid-March to educate Congress about the dangers of Zika and urge for the passage of federal funding to combat the virus,” Saltonstall said. “Efforts included frequent meetings with congressional offices, sign-on letters, media, email and social media campaigns.”
