We extend our sincere appreciation to Dorica Dan for her congratulatory address and for recognizing the significant work of the Institute for Rare Diseases on the occasion of our 20th anniversary. This significant event will be celebrated at the XV National Conference on Rare Diseases and Orphan Drugs, taking place on September 13-14, 2024, in Plovdiv. His acknowledgment is deeply valued and highlights our steadfast dedication to advancing research and enhancing care for patients with rare diseases.
Dorica Dan was appointed Vice-President of EURORDIS in 2022 and has been on its Board of Officers since 2011. She has served on the EURORDIS Board of Directors since 2007. As the mother of a daughter with Prader-Willi Syndrome, Dorica founded the Romanian Prader Willi Association (RPWA) in 2003 and established RONARD (Romanian National Alliance for Rare Diseases) in 2007. She also created the Romanian Rare Cancers Association in 2011.
Dorica played a key role in opening Romania’s first Centre for Information about Rare Genetic Diseases and initiated the National Plan for Rare Diseases. In June 2011, she opened the Pilot Reference Center for Rare Diseases “NoRo,” in collaboration with Frambu Norway and funded by Norway Grants.
Currently, Dorica chairs RPWA, presides over RONARD and the Romanian Association for Rare Cancers, and coordinates the Centre for Information about Rare Genetic Diseases and the NoRo Center. She is a board member of IPWSO (International Prader-Willi Syndrome Organization) and an advisor for EURORDIS EUROPLAN. Dorica represents EURORDIS at international conferences, serves on the Commission Expert Group on Rare Diseases, and is involved in various working groups and committees related to rare diseases, including the EURORDIS Conference on Rare Diseases and Orphan Products and the EUCERD Joint Action.