The most common of the rare diseases, sickle cell affects about 100,000 Americans. Even so, there's still a lot to be done on the research front to fully understand it, how to treat it more effectively, and potentially, how to find a cure. Your participation in Rare Disease Day can help with all of these things.

Today, February 28, 2018, 80 countries will unite to recognize Rare Disease Day for the 11th year in a row, with hundreds of events taking place across the world. This year's theme is research, and the plan is to get as many patients, families, friends, and other allies as possible to actively "call on policy makers, researchers, companies, and healthcare professionals to increasingly and more effectively involve patients in rare disease research."

Take a look at the events below to find one near you. (Can't attend in person? Show your support on social media using these ideas.)

1) Running on Air's Third Annual Rare Disease Day Virtual Race
2) Harmony 4 Hope's Rock Rare Disease: A Global Online Music Campaign
3) Georgia Rare Disease Day Seminar/Meet-and-Greet with Legislators
4) Broad Institute's Third Annual Beyond the Diagnosis Art Exhibit
5) Eight Annual Sanford Rare Disease Symposium
6) Rare Disease Week on Capitol Hill
7) Swing Fore the Kids Rare Disease Awareness Event

For a full list of events happening all over the globe, click here.