March PKU & Brain Health Update:
- Rare Disease Day equity report,
- PKU research, pancake recipes,
- brain injury app trials,
- and a book sale ending 7th March!
Share your story & support the community.

https://www.pigpen.page/march-2026/

#pku #rarediseaseawareness #shareyourstory #phenylketonuria #braininjury

PKU & Brain Health News: March 2026 Update & Book Sale

Rare Disease Day Reports, PKU GI research, Low Protein Pancake recipes, brain injury app trials, and a book sale ending 7th March!

PigPen | Pauline O'Connor

๐—ฅ๐—ฎ๐—ฟ๐—ฒ ๐——๐—ถ๐˜€๐—ฒ๐—ฎ๐˜€๐—ฒ ๐——๐—ฎ๐˜† โ€“ ๐—™๐—ฒ๐—ฏ๐—ฟ๐˜‚๐—ฎ๐—ฟ๐˜† ๐Ÿฎ๐Ÿด, ๐Ÿฎ๐Ÿฌ๐Ÿฎ๐Ÿฒ
This Rare Disease Day, remember that rare diseases affect millions globally but often go unnoticed. With over 6,000 rare conditions identified, many patients face delayed diagnoses, limited treatment options, and emotional and financial struggles.

๐—ช๐—ต๐˜† ๐—ถ๐˜ ๐—บ๐—ฎ๐˜๐˜๐—ฒ๐—ฟ๐˜€:
- Rare diseases affect fewer than 1 in 2,000 people but impact multiple organ systems and require specialized care.
- Misdiagnosis is common due to overlapping symptoms with more common illnesses.
- Collaborative research and awareness can lead to better diagnostics and therapies.
- Support for patients and families is crucial to improve quality of life.

๐—ง๐—ต๐—ถ๐˜€ ๐˜†๐—ฒ๐—ฎ๐—ฟโ€™๐˜€ ๐˜๐—ต๐—ฒ๐—บ๐—ฒ, โ€œ๐— ๐—ผ๐—ฟ๐—ฒ ๐˜๐—ต๐—ฎ๐—ป ๐˜†๐—ผ๐˜‚ ๐—ฐ๐—ฎ๐—ป ๐—ถ๐—บ๐—ฎ๐—ด๐—ถ๐—ป๐—ฒ,โ€ highlights the broad impact of rare diseases beyond health, including social and emotional challenges. Letโ€™s stand in solidarity with patients and advocate for more research and resources.

#RareDiseaseDay #MoreThanYouCanImagine #RareDiseaseAwareness #PatientSupport #Healthcare #MedicalResearch #NIH #ORDI #ChronicIllness #RareButStrong #SCABPharmacy

๐Ÿงฌ Genomic testing isnโ€™t just about dataโ€”itโ€™s about real people, real stories, and real lives.
In my latest blog, I shared my lived experience of Sapropterin testing with NHS Staff.

What would you have said?

๐Ÿ”— Read more: [link in bio] or visit www.pigpen.page/lived-experiences-of-genomic-testing/

#Genomics #PatientStories #RareDiseaseAwareness #Healthcare

๐—”๐˜‚๐—ด๐˜‚๐˜€๐˜ ๐—ถ๐˜€ ๐—ฆ๐—ฝ๐—ถ๐—ป๐—ฎ๐—น ๐— ๐˜‚๐˜€๐—ฐ๐˜‚๐—น๐—ฎ๐—ฟ ๐—”๐˜๐—ฟ๐—ผ๐—ฝ๐—ต๐˜† (๐—ฆ๐— ๐—”) ๐—”๐˜„๐—ฎ๐—ฟ๐—ฒ๐—ป๐—ฒ๐˜€๐˜€ ๐— ๐—ผ๐—ป๐˜๐—ต, dedicated to raising support and knowledge about this rare hereditary neurological disorder. SMA causes the gradual loss of motor neurons in the spinal cord, leading to muscle weakness, difficulty with voluntary movements, swallowing, breathing, and scoliosis. It is a leading genetic cause of infant mortality but can also affect older children and adults in milder forms. Early diagnosis and a combination of treatmentsโ€”including medication, physical therapy, and supportive careโ€”can help improve quality of life. This month, letโ€™s unite to educate, fund research, support families, and bring hope for a future cure.

#SMAAwarenessMonth #SpinalMuscularAtrophy #RareDiseaseAwareness #MotorNeuronDisease #MuscleWeakness #EarlyDiagnosis #SupportSMAFamilies #GeneticDisorders #ResearchForACure #PhysicalTherapy #HealthcareSupport #SCABPharmacy

๐—จ๐—ป๐—ฑ๐—ฒ๐—ฟ๐˜€๐˜๐—ฎ๐—ป๐—ฑ๐—ถ๐—ป๐—ด ๐—–๐—Ÿ๐—ข๐—ฉ๐—˜๐—ฆ ๐—ฆ๐˜†๐—ป๐—ฑ๐—ฟ๐—ผ๐—บ๐—ฒ: ๐—•๐—ฟ๐—ถ๐—ป๐—ด๐—ถ๐—ป๐—ด ๐—”๐˜„๐—ฎ๐—ฟ๐—ฒ๐—ป๐—ฒ๐˜€๐˜€ ๐˜๐—ผ ๐—ฎ ๐—ฅ๐—ฎ๐—ฟ๐—ฒ ๐—–๐—ผ๐—ป๐—ฑ๐—ถ๐˜๐—ถ๐—ผ๐—ป

CLOVES Syndrome is a rare congenital disorder involving overgrowth of fatty tissue, vascular malformations, skin abnormalities, and skeletal issues. Early diagnosis and specialized care are crucial for managing this complex condition and improving quality of life.

Expert multidisciplinary care, advanced diagnostic tools, and treatment options like surgery, targeted medications, and physical therapy can help control symptoms and prevent complications.

Join us in spreading awareness on #ClovesSyndromeAwarenessDay to support patients and families affected by this rare disorder.

๐—ž๐—ฒ๐˜† ๐—ฆ๐—ถ๐—ด๐—ป๐˜€ ๐˜๐—ผ ๐—ช๐—ฎ๐˜๐—ฐ๐—ต ๐—™๐—ผ๐—ฟ:
- Unusual fatty tissue overgrowth
- Vascular malformations causing swelling or pain
- Skin lesions like epidermal nevi
- Skeletal deformities such as scoliosis

If you or someone you know shows these symptoms, consult a specialist promptly.

Together, we can make a difference!

#CLOVESSyndrome #RareDiseaseAwareness #CongenitalDisorders #VascularMalformations #OvergrowthDisorders #GeneticDisorders #RareDiseaseSupport #HealthcareAwareness #MultidisciplinaryCare #SCABPharmacy

[MMCommn]
Some stories donโ€™t just inspire โ€” they change you. ๐Ÿ’™
Aadityaโ€™s journey with Progeria has been just that.
For 10 years, heโ€™s been more than a campaign face โ€” heโ€™s family.
Thank you, #Aaditya, for being our light, our little hero.
#Progeria #RareDiseaseAwareness #TeamNihal #prfm https://t.co/rdUSdcfInB
https://twitter.com/MMCommn/status/1938174155918348617
MediaMedic Commn (@MMCommn) on X

Some stories donโ€™t just inspire โ€” they change you. ๐Ÿ’™ Aadityaโ€™s journey with Progeria has been just that. For 10 years, heโ€™s been more than a campaign face โ€” heโ€™s family. Thank you, #Aaditya, for being our light, our little hero. #Progeria #RareDiseaseAwareness #TeamNihal #prfm

X (formerly Twitter)

๐Ÿ•ต๏ธโ€โ™€๏ธ Dark secrets. Rare diseases. One podcast unearths everything. ๐ŸŽ™๏ธ
๐ŸŽง Nobody Should Believe Me Season 6 โ€” truth hits harder than fiction!

https://thepodcasting.org/nobody-should-believe-me-podcast-season-6-reveals-hidden-family-crimes-in-rare-disease-community/

#TrueCrime #RareDiseaseAwareness #PodcastRecommendations #MustListen #TrendingNow #CrimePodcast #RealStory #PodcastSeason6

PKU and being 'hangry'. Satiety (feeling full) can be a problem for those with PKU. Here are a few tips for those following a low-protein diet.

https://www.pigpen.page/pku-and-being-hangry/

#LivingWithPKU #PKU #PCU #Phenylketonuria #RareDisease #PKUFood #RareDiseaseAwareness #Hanger #Hungry

PKU and being hangry. Tips to help you on a low-protein diet..

Satiety and 'hanger' can be a problem for those with PKU. Here are a few tips to help you to feel full on a low-protein diet.

PigPen: Pauline O'Connor, author & advocate.

๐—•๐—ผ๐—ต๐—ฟ๐—ถ๐—ป๐—ด-๐—ข๐—ฝ๐—ถ๐˜๐˜‡ ๐—ฆ๐˜†๐—ป๐—ฑ๐—ฟ๐—ผ๐—บ๐—ฒ ๐—”๐˜„๐—ฎ๐—ฟ๐—ฒ๐—ป๐—ฒ๐˜€๐˜€ ๐——๐—ฎ๐˜† ๐ŸŒŸ

Today, April 6th, marks an important milestone as we celebrate Bohring-Opitz Syndrome Awareness Day, honoring the journey of families affected by this rare genetic condition. Ten years ago, on this day in 2011, the first support group was formed on Facebook, creating a platform for parents and caregivers to connect, share experiences, and provide support.

๐—ช๐—ต๐˜† ๐—š๐—ผ๐—น๐—ฑ & ๐——๐—ฒ๐—ป๐—ถ๐—บ?

- Gold represents the love and brilliance of our children, who are precious and bring light into our lives. Many children with Bohring-Opitz Syndrome are drawn to shiny objects, making gold a fitting symbol.
- Denim signifies the awareness of rare and genetic diseases. Blue denim is recognized as the color for these conditions, fostering unity among families facing similar challenges.

This year, we want to encourage everyone to learn more about Bohring-Opitz Syndrome and support the families navigating this journey. Together, we can make a difference!

Join us in raising awareness by sharing this post.

#BOSAwarenessDay #BohringOpitzSyndrome #RareDiseaseAwareness #SupportFamilies #GoldAndDenim #GeneticConditions #BOSFoundation #CommunitySupport #HopeForBOS #SCABPharmacy

Letโ€™s continue to spread awareness and support one another! ๐ŸŒˆ