Siren Interactive Plays Important Role for NORD's Rare Disease Day

Facebook, RareDiseases.org and e-Patients.net Key to Day's Success

OAK PARK, Ill, January 21, 2009 – Siren Interactive Corp., eMarketing experts who specialize in promoting therapies to niche patient populations and medical specialists, announced today that it is the official partner for interactive media on behalf of Rare Disease Day on February 28, 2009.

The last day of February has been designated as worldwide Rare Disease Day to call attention to the public health issues associated with rare diseases, which affect nearly 30 million Americans and countless others around the world.

"People with rare diseases remain a medically underserved population in every country," said Peter Saltonstall, president of the National Organization for Rare Disorders (NORD), which is sponsoring Rare Disease Day in the U.S. "This day is intended to bring together the patients and families with rare diseases to discuss the need for greater awareness, more research, and better access to diagnosis and treatment."

Rare Disease Day activities in the U.S. will include a nationwide network of online videos, patient stories and blogs; newspaper, radio, and television reports; state and municipal proclamations; a Rare Disease Hall of Fame for researchers; and other activities designed to raise awareness of what it means to have a rare disease.

"Our partnership with NORD is a perfect fit with our expertise and our focus on helping organizations communicate with small patient populations and the healthcare professionals who serve them," said Siren Interactive founder and president Wendy White. "We are excited about the opportunity to help make NORD's web site an even more effective resource, and to ensure that Facebook and e-Patients.net are fully utilized in connection with Rare Disease Day.

A rare disease is one that affects fewer than 200,000 Americans. According to the National Institutes of Health (NIH), there are nearly 7,000 such diseases affecting nearly 30 million Americans.

NORD, a federation of individuals and patient organizations, was established in 1983 by the patient leaders who worked to get the Orphan Drug Act passed. It provides advocacy in Washington, DC, on behalf of the rare disease community; research grants and fellowships; educational services for patients, the public, and medical professionals; and patient assistance programs.

For more information about Rare Disease Day activities in the U.S., go to NORD's website (www.rarediseases.org).

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