Who we are

Genetic Alliance UK is an alliance of over 200 charities and support groups working together to improve the lives of people in the UK with genetic, rare and undiagnosed conditions.

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What we do

Around 3.5 million people in the UK are affected by rare conditions, which are individually rare but collectively common.

We campaign for timely diagnosis, better coordinated care, and improved screening, testing, services and treatment.

Our long-standing projects

We run Rare Disease UK which provides a united voice for the rare disease community and raises awareness each year by leading on Rare Disease Day. We also run SWAN UK, which supports children, young people and families affected by undiagnosed genetic conditions and raises awareness each year by leading on Undiagnosed Children's Day.

8 in 10

rare conditions are caused by a change to someone’s genetic code

Our member organisations

Our membership includes representatives from many of the 7,000 conditions that are genetic and rare, and new conditions are regularly identified through scientific progress. We welcome member organisations of all sizes, from very small support groups led by the parents of children with rare conditions to much larger and well-known charities.

Genetic Alliance UK invites and empowers us all to take our own agendas, our own considered concerns for those we represent to places that we might not have been able to reach on our own. One passionate voice, anchored in authenticity and patient centricity clearly, has meaning – many voices anchored by the same spirit has a power and an insistence that is unified, disruptive and made for change.

Steve White, Vice Chair and Trustee, CUREUsher
1 in 17

people are affected by a rare condition at some point in their lives

Lucia skydiving for Rare Disease UK. She is jumpinb on a bright, blue skied, sunny day

Take on a challenge

Do something incredible and sign up to an event to raise money for our small charity and help us support the 1 in 17 people who will be affected by a rare condition at some point in their lives.

Find an event near you

Donate

Genetic Alliance UK is a small and impactful charity with a mighty mission. We work tirelessly with our member organisations to improve the lives of the 3.5 million people in the UK with a rare, genetic or undiagnosed condition. We need donations to help us continue our vital work.

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Latest from Genetic Alliance UK

See what you've missed by taking a look at our latest News, Events and Resources

Dylan’s story

Dylan lives with TBR1 related disorder, a condition which means he will need support for the rest of his life. His mum, Jemma, talks about the challenges and worries of having a child with a rare condition but also the joys it can bring.

Joint Nation Rare Disease Day Online Event

Genetic Alliance UK are excited to be hosting the annual Rare Disease Day Parliamentary event in Westminster! Rare Disease Day is an annual international day aimed at raising awareness and highlighting the needs of people with rare conditions.

Rare Disease Day 2024 Westminster event

Genetic Alliance UK are excited to be hosting the annual Rare Disease Day Parliamentary event in Westminster! Rare Disease Day is an annual international day aimed at raising awareness and highlighting the needs of people with rare conditions.

A family playing with each other. A mum is holding a child while another, slightly older, child stand beside playing with the girl in her mums arms. They all look amongst each other on a bright sunny day.

Rare Resources: Wales

The Rare Resources guides have been produced by Genetic Alliance UK for families who have recently received a diagnosis of a genetic or rare condition, are on the journey to a diagnosis or who have been told their child’s condition is so rare they might not get a diagnosis.

A family playing with each other. A mum is holding a child while another, slightly older, child stand beside playing with the girl in her mums arms. They all look amongst each other on a bright sunny day.

Rare Resources: Scotland

The Rare Resources guides have been produced by Genetic Alliance UK for families who have recently received a diagnosis of a genetic or rare condition, are on the journey to a diagnosis or who have been told their child’s condition is so rare they might not get a diagnosis.

Contact Genetic Alliance UK

You can reach the friendly Genetic Alliance UK team via the link below. We will get back to you as quickly as possible. Before you do, take a look at our most frequently asked questions located on the same page.

Contact us