News and stories

All of the latest news and updates from Genetic Alliance UK can be found below. This includes the release of our latest reports and findings, as well as pieces that our member organisations have requested that we share.

 

We also share stories, images and experiences from those living with genetic, rare and undiagnosed conditions. Individuals affected by these conditions are at the heart of everything that we do and we want to champion these communities by amplifying their voices, individually and collectively. 

 

If you’d like to have your story included on our website then get in touch.

Photo by Michał Bożek on Unsplash. A child's hands playing with colourful building blocks

More than you can imagine

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This is Lucy's story which was written about her son who lives with 22Q11.21 Micro Duplication. The story was submitted as part of ‘More than you can imagine: an anthology of rare experiences‘, created for Rare Disease Day 2025.

Photo by Matthias Oberholzer on Unsplash. Taken of the colosseum in Rome

More dance partners than you can imagine

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This is Alan's short story which was submitted to ‘More than you can imagine: an anthology of rare experiences‘, created for Rare Disease Day 2025. It discusses experiences of living with Poland syndrome.

black and white photo of a detectives office

More complicated than you might imagine: ‘The Case of the Confusing Categorisation’

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Written by Abigail Davison-Hoult. This story explores the desire to pigeonhole ourselves and one another to comply with societal rules, but also looks at the difficulties faced when trying to determine the correct category. There is the suggestion of prejudice whether intentional or assumed, particularly in the case of minority populations. Ultimately, the reader needs to use the information given to decide on their version of the outcome of this story.

illustration of a document with the UK on it. A magnifying glass zooms in on England

England Action Plan launched

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Minister Ashley Dalton, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, spoke to attendees at the Rare Disease Day Westminster reception yesterday, providing a preview of the 2025 England Rare Diseases Action Plan, launched today. In her speech the minister praised Genetic Alliance UK and our members for the role we’ve taken to inform this plan. So what’s new?

two photos of Tilly comparing when she is well to when she is in a hospital

Instagram Saved My Life

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This year’s theme for Rare Disease Day 2025 is ‘More than you can imagine’ and Tilly's story really has turned out more than she could ever have imagined; a story which proves rare does not mean impossible.

Our Rare Disease Day 2025 event pages are now live

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To recognise Rare Disease Day 2025, our community will be coming together at these events with parliamentarians, health professionals, policymakers, researchers, people affected by rare conditions and support organisations.

Gem’s story

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Gem has had many diagnoses over the years, and has had to adjust to what a ‘successful’ day looks like for her.

A photo of Dr Amber. She takes the photo of herself with her arms stretched out. She wears a blue, medical jacket in a hospital room

Amber

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Amber is a doctor and lives with Gitelman syndrome, a condition that causes severe salt wasting. Her position as both a doctor and someone living with a rare condition gives her a unique insight into the rare world. This has been her journey so far.