RARE DISEASE DAY: VIRGINIA TECH RESEARCHERS TACKLE UNCOMMON CONDITIONS

BLACKSBURG, Va., Feb. 25 -- Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University issued the following news release:

When the Wells Fargo Tower in Roanoke glows on Saturday, Feb. 28, in pink, green, purple, and blue light - the official colors of Rare Disease Day - it will stand as a visible reminder of the research advancing across Virginia Tech to improve the outlook for people living with rare diseases.

A condition is considered rare when it affects patient populations of 200,000 or fewer.Collectively, however, the National Institutes of Health reports that rare diseases affect about30 million peoplein the United States -nearly 1 in 10 Americans - with major impacts on their families and caregivers.

Although each of these conditions is ...