Bern lights up for Rare Disease Day

Did you know that over half a million people in Switzerland are affected by a rare disease? A disease is considered rare if it affects no more than 5 in 10,000 people. This seemingly small number adds up due to the multitude of rare diseases. Currently, there are 7,000 to 8,000 rare diseases worldwide, affecting about 300 million people. This corresponds to around 7% of the world's population. The diversity of these diseases and the lack of awareness make it difficult for those affected to get a diagnosis and targeted therapy.

Showing Colors with Bernese Energy

On February 28, the annual Rare Disease Day takes place. This global day of action aims to raise awareness for those affected. Landmarks around the world light up on this day. CSL Behring has been committed to people with rare and serious diseases with its therapeutics for more than 100 years. Therefore, we are joining this initiative again this year and will illuminate the Burgerspital Bern in the official colors of Rare Disease Day with Bernese muscle power, drawing attention to the plight of people with rare diseases.

Collaboration with sitem-insel

This year, we are highlighting our partnership with sitem-insel on the Insel Campus Bern. As the main tenant with the CSL Biologics Research Center, the CSL research laboratory has been located here since 2019. At this location, business and science come together. CSL Behring uses this synergy to develop new therapies for patients with rare and serious diseases worldwide.

On February 28, CSL Behring and sitem-insel employees, along with partners like BSC YB and SCB, will pedal together on the forecourt of sitem-insel. The up to seven bicycles from "Thömus" are connected to generators. This will generate green electricity in 30-minute intervals from 9:00 AM to 5:30 PM on the day of action – before the illumination of the Burgerspital's exterior facade at the main train station starts at 6:00 PM. A heartfelt thank you to the Burgergemeinde Bern for the opportunity.

Join the Competition

Be there live when the Burgerspital at the main train station in Bern lights up in the colors of Rare Disease Day on 28 February from 6:00 PM and support the event with our Instagram photo competition:

- Take a photo of the illuminated Burgerspital on February 28th.
- Share your picture with the hashtag #RareDiseaseDayBern via Instagram as a story or post.

Among all entries, we will raffle a personalized jersey signed by the BSC YB team.