#HugForRare – Marking International Rare Disease Day 2026
On the occasion of marking International Rare Disease Day 2026, the Croatian Alliance for Rare
Diseases organized a national public health campaign titled “Hug for Rare.” The campaign
was carried out with the aim of raising public awareness about rare diseases, the challenges faced
by those affected and their families, and the importance of solidarity, understanding, and timely support.
Through a combination of media activities and public events in local communities, the campaign
sought to bring the topic of rare diseases closer to the general public and encourage active citizen engagement.
This year, the overarching “Hug for Rare” campaign was particularly focused on the issue of equal access
to therapy for people with rare diseases in the Republic of Croatia, regardless of their place of residence.
The goal of this focus is to encourage dialogue and cooperation among all stakeholders in the healthcare system
toward further improving access to therapies, while maintaining a high level of safety and quality of care.
Implemented activities:
1. MEDIA CAMPAIGN
During February, a comprehensive media campaign was carried out, encompassing communication
through both digital and traditional channels. The communication focused on bringing the everyday
challenges of living with a rare disease closer to the public, as well as inviting citizens to show symbolic support by
participating in the campaign.
Activities included regular posts of informative and educational content on the Alliance’s social media channels,
sharing personal stories and testimonies of patients and their family members, creating and distributing
promotional materials, issuing press releases and collaborating with journalists, as well as media appearances
and interviews featuring Alliance representatives (links provided in the report annex).
Additionally, a public call to action was launched, inviting all citizens to photograph their “hugs for rare"
throughout February and share them on their social media, accompanied by short messages or videos using the hashtag #HugForRare.
2. CENTRAL EVENT – Cvjetni Square (Petar Preradović Square), Zagreb
The central public event took place on Saturday, February 28, at Cvjetni Square in Zagreb, from 11:30 AM to 2:00 PM.
A large number of citizens, families, Alliance representatives, healthcare
professionals, and public figures attended the event, showing their support for people living with rare diseases
through symbolic “hug” photographs. The event received media coverage and was documented through social media
and national outlets.
The program included a performance by the Plesni punktovi Zagreb dance group, whose short act
expressed support for peers living with rare diagnoses. An educational corner for children was also organized and led by students from the University of Zagreb School of Medicine. Through adapted activities and conversations
with children and parents, the focus was on understanding, acceptance of differences, and solidarity.
The campaign’s recognizable symbol, the zebra mascot, delighted the youngest participants and encouraged everyone present
to take photos and share hugs.
We are especially pleased that this year the final events were also held in Osijek, organized by our
member associations HAE Croatia, Gaucher Croatia, and Anderson-Fabry Croatia, as well as in Daruvar,
co-organized with the Niemann-Pick Croatia Association.
The “Hug for Rare” campaign has also become recognizable in countries across the region, with hugs shared in support
of people with rare diseases in North Macedonia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Serbia, Republika Srpska, and Montenegro.
Photos from the event can be found in the appendix to the report.
3. INVOLVEMENT OF SCHOOLS AND KINDERGARTENS
During February, schools and kindergartens across Croatia will be invited to take part in the campaign
through educational activities, messages of support, and symbolic “hugs for rare,” further encouraging the development
of empathy and inclusiveness among children and young people.
The “Hug for Rare” campaign successfully achieved its objectives and confirmed the importance of continuous
public health action, education, and advocacy for the rights of people living with rare diseases.
The activities carried out have shown that direct communication with citizens, combined with a strong media presence,
significantly contributes to raising awareness and strengthening solidarity within the community.
The Croatian Alliance for Rare Diseases will continue implementing similar initiatives aimed at improving the quality
of life of people living with rare diseases and ensuring their full social inclusion.
4. SYMBOLIC SUPPORT FROM CROATIAN CITIES
As a sign of support for people living with rare diseases and their families, a large number of cities across Croatia
illuminated their landmarks in pink.
PATRONAGES:
City of Zagreb – Mayor Tomislav Tomašević
Ministry of Labour, Pension System, Family and Social Policy
Ministry Of Health
We thank the City of Zagreb for co-organizing the event—especially the Office for Social Protection, Health, Veterans, and Persons with Disabilities.
Special thanks to everyone who supported us and made this event possible:
Photos from Cvjetni Square in Zagreb:
PRESS CLIPPING
Online news (text articles) / news portals
https://fenix-magazin.de/zagrli-za-rijetke-zagrljajem-pokazimo-podrsku-osobama-s-rijetkim-bolestima
https://prigorski.hr/savez-za-rijetke-bolesti-trazi-uspostavu-fonda-za-lijecenje
https://www.naturala.hr/zagrli-za-rijetke-2026
https://medjimurjepress.net/vijesti/najave/kampanja-zagrli-za-rijetke-28-veljace
https://www.zagreb.info/magazin/medunarodni-dan-rijetkih-bolesti-simbol-zebra-hrvatska/816533
https://www.hrv.hr/clanak/savez-za-rijetke-bolesti-trazi-uspostavu-fonda-za-lijecenje
https://freedom.hr/hrvatski-savez-poziva-na-fond-za-rijetke-bolesti-po-uzoru-na-sloveniju
https://www.radionasice.hr/zagrli-za-rijetke
https://www.klikaj.hr/savez-za-rijetke-bolesti-trazi-uspostavu-fonda-za-lijecenje
https://in-portal.hr/sara-bajlo-rijetke-bolesti-pitanje-su-zrelosti-drustva
https://regionalni.com/grad-varazdinske-toplice-uz-osobe-s-rijetkim-bolestima
https://dulist.hr/velika-onofrijeva-fontana-u-znaku-medunarodnog-dana-rijetkih-bolesti/1005294
NACIONAL – tiskano izdanje od 24.veljače, članak na dvije strane ‘Gradimo sustav u kojem dijete s rijetkom bolešću neće ovisiti o sreći , nego o podršci’
RADIO I AUDIO IZVJEŠTAJI/EMISIJE
HRT Normalan Život, Ana Tomašković
https://hrtprikazuje.hrt.hr/hrt-preporucuje/normalan-zivot-138-12585982
HRT / Hina — “Rijetke bolesti u RH – bez registra, novih terapija i podrške”
Magazin HRT
https://magazin.hrt.hr/zdravlje/zagrli-za-rijetke–12583288
Televizija Slavonije i Baranje
PREVENCIJOM DO ZDRAVLJA – Veljača je mjesec podizanja svijesti o rijetkim bolestima
https://youtu.be/dJ9B9UWNWFQ?si=QhKxrUI1BjIrFQU9&sfnsn=wa
REGIONALNI DNEVNIK, Zadar za rijetke
Prilog 26.veljače, Dostupno na Regionalni dnevnik-01.mov
DNEVNIK NOVA TV https://dnevnik.hr/video/akcija-zagrli-za-rijetke—63264173
Radio Sljeme
https://radio.hrt.hr/slusaonica/sljemenska-ordinacija?epizoda=202602251330
HRT Radio Osijek – U Osijeku obilježen Međunarodni dan rijetkih bolesti (izvještaj kampanje)
HRT – „Međunarodni dan rijetkih bolesti“ (Prvi program, razgovor i najava kampanje)
https://radio.hrt.hr/prvi-program/zivot/medunarodni-dan-rijetkih-bolesti-0-12593554
https://radio.hrt.hr/slusaonica/dnevni-ritam
Radio Koprivnica https://www.uzivoradio.com/koprivnica.html
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Nova TV video prilog uz DNEVNIK.hr članak, a u sklopu Dnevnik.hr objave dostupan je video prilog reporterke Sanje Vištice vezan uz kampanju
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