Rare Disease Day, observed on Feb. 28, brings attention to uncommon diseases affecting populations of 200,000 or fewer. In Roanoke, the Wells Fargo Tower will be illuminated in pink, green, purple, and blue—the colors of Rare Disease Day—thanks to a collaboration between The Fralin Biomedical Research Institute at VTC and Wells Fargo Tower. Despite their rarity, these diseases impact about 30 million people in the United States, according to the National Institutes of Health. In Virginia, many families are affected, including those in the Roanoke and New River valleys.

Rare Disease Day falls on Leap Day this year, the rarest day — and not by accident.

ROANOKE COUNTY, Va. – We first introduced you to Emma Snyder in 2017, when the athletic Roanoke County 8th grader was first diagnosed with a rare auto-immune disease, Chronic Recurrent Multifocal Osteomyelitis. It affected Emma’s spine — sidelining her from volleyball, soccer and basketball — leaving both emotional and physical pain. Being able to rely on him a lot,” Emma said. Emma not only led the Conquerors to the VACA State Championship game, but she helped them earn the State Title and was named the MVP of the game. Emma was named MVP in the Conquerors VACA State Championship win (WSLS)For more information on Rare Disease Day, click here.