Il Paese delle Rarità, the first comic that talks about rare diseases

It's called "The Country of Rarities" and is the first comic entirely dedicated to rare diseases. The editorial work tells the story of a father and a son discovering a place where rarity is considered a precious superpower to take care of. A project to introduce children and young people to the world of rare diseases and spread a message of inclusion and hope.

The Land of Rarities

The presentation took place in the Campania Region during an event for the celebrations of World Rare Disease Day on 28 February. The cartoon was created by the Rare Diseases Coordination Center of the Campania Region, active in the hospital of the Hills of Naples under the guidance of Professor Giuseppe Limongelli. For the realization of the product we made use of the collaboration of Chiesi Global Rare Diseases. A disease is defined as rare when it affects less than 1 in 7 people. Today there are between 8 and 2 rare pathologies, which together affect over 30 million people in Italy and XNUMX million in Europe.

In 80 percent of cases, these diseases have a genetic basis and appear at birth or in early childhood. In Campania, according to the Regional Registry for Rare Diseases, there are about 30 certified patients. For many patients, the diagnosis remains a complex process, due to the variety of clinical manifestations and symptoms that each of these pathologies can have. Greater knowledge can allow for earlier diagnosis and more targeted interventions. It can help patients break out of the isolation that the disease brings, making those affected feel "different".

This is the meaning of "The Land of Rarities“, a fantastic place where everything is rare and precious, where the little patient protagonist of the story is transformed into a superhero, surrounded by many friends. Each with a different superpower, and by a team of 'doctors' who carry out an important mission: to help superheroes better manage their superpowers. The journey of the two protagonists meets the imagination of children through the language of comics. An original way to illustrate the path patients take to obtain a diagnosis. And, wherever possible, a cure, thanks to the invaluable work of Coordination Center for Rare Diseases.