Every Rare Disease Day is a reminder of the millions of people navigating conditions most of us will never hear of, let alone fully understand. This year, we wanted to go beyond statistics and symptoms. We wanted to listen more deeply. With the support of our recruitment partners, we connected with over 90 patients and caregivers across the US, each living with a different rare disease. Instead of asking about clinical experiences or unmet needs, we asked a more human question: “What song captures your rare disease journey?” The answers were revealing. Not just in what they said about the challenges of rare disease, but in what they said about resilience, humour, identity, and hope. Music opened a window into the emotional realities behind the data. And from Fight Song to I Will Survive, these choices formed a powerful soundtrack of lived experience, a reminder that behind every chart, graph, or insight is a person navigating an extraordinary path. Below is a preview of our Rare Disease Playlist, built directly from the voices of this community. Their words speak volumes. Fight Song, Rachel Platten “It’s empowering and supports perseverance and staying strong.” Patient with Primary Biliary Cholangitis: A rallying cry for those who fight daily battles the world doesn’t always see. In My Blood, Shawn Mendes “I may be strong, but I need space to be weak sometimes.” Patient with Cystic Fibrosis: Strength and vulnerability often coexist, especially when resilience is a necessity, not a choice. Upside Down, Jack Johnson “It’s about a world that keeps moving while we try to focus on what is possible instead of limitations.” Patient with Becker Muscular Dystrophy: A reminder that redefining what’s possible is an ongoing, and deeply personal, act of optimism. The Climb, Miley Cyrus It’s the journey, not the destination… there will always be uphill battles.” Patient with Dermatomyositis: Living with a rare disease means celebrating progress, even when the summit feels far away. Here I Go Again, Whitesnake “Some days it feels like starting over again and again.” Patient with Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis, Neurocardiogenic Syncope, and POTS: For many, the rare disease journey is cyclical, constant restarts, rediscovery, and resilience. Iris, Goo Goo Dolls “I want people to understand what they can’t see.” Patient with a rare cancer: Invisible symptoms often create invisible struggles, and the desire to be understood remains universal. Crazy Train, Ozzy Osbourne “It’s literally one thing after another… life can go off the rails at any point.” Patient with Achalasia: Unpredictability is one of the most common shared experiences across rare conditions. I Will Survive, Gloria Gaynor “Regardless of which rare disease you may have (I have 3) I will push forward and make the best of each day.” Patient with Desmoid Tumours, Familial Adenomatous Polyposis, and Haemophilia: Resilience isn’t just a theme in rare disease, it’s a daily practice. Behind every song is a story, and behind every story is insight. At HRW, we believe that the most meaningful rare disease insights come from listening, truly listening, to the people living these experiences every day. Their voices not only inspire empathy, they inform smarter research, stronger development strategies, and better commercial decisions. This Rare Disease Day, we’re grateful to share even a fraction of these powerful perspectives. To gain access to our full playlist, and to find out more about our in-house Rare Disease team, contact HRW_RareDisease@hrwhealthcare.com or fill out the Contact form below. Apply Now!