(music).
And now it's time to celebrate, and no one deserves a celebration more than the rare
disease patients scattered around the world but bound together by their strength.
There are about 7,000 rare genetic diseases that affect more than 30 million Americans
and millions more worldwide.
The Balancing Act's Behind The Mystery series has highlighted many of them.
Time is against them.
It often takes over 7 years to reach a proper diagnosis, and an astounding 95% of rare diseases
have no FDA approved treatment.
The Global Genes Summit is out to change all of that through the Global Genes Initiative.
The 4th Annual Global Genes Rare Patient Advocacy Summit and Gala took place in beautiful Huntington
Beach, California.
And this year Hollywood took note.
It's the 2015 tribute to Champions of Hope.
Celebrity presenters included Bryce Dallas Howard, Jason Ritter, and Lindsey Shaw.
I am so happy to be here.
Rare disease awareness is what's up.
It's going to be a great night for learning and a great night for communities coming together
and supporting each other.
Rare disease patient advocate and radio host, Scott "Froggy" Langley played Master of Ceremonies
for the evenings festivities, and American Idol Season 8 winner and Platinum Recording
Artist, Kris Allen took the stage with 12-year-old Global Patient Ambassador Honorary, Ben Lou,
for a very special performance.
In all, more than 800 patents, philanthropists, advocacy leaders, and celebrities came together
to raise over $1.2 million dollars for rare disease research, education, and patient support.
What Global Genes is really working to accomplish is to bring this community together to create
a support network that expands beyond the disease, and it's an honor to be working
with all of those affected by rare disease that
are just incredibly courageous.
(cheers and applause).
To get involved, donate, or join the rare disease
community, simply logon to GlobalGenes.org for more information.
(music).