Rare Connection
Rare Connection is a podcast dedicated to rare diseases, undiagnosed conditions, patient advocacy, medical research, and the people working to improve the lives of those living with rare disorders.
Originally launched as Nutrition Equity, the podcast expanded into Rare Connection to reflect its broader mission: sharing the stories, science, and research behind all 10,000+ known rare diseases—not just those related to the Medical Nutrition Equity Act.
Each episode features conversations with patients, caregivers, physicians, researchers, nonprofit leaders, advocates, and biotechnology experts. Together, we explore rare diseases, genetic disorders, newborn screening, clinical trials, emerging treatments, healthcare policy, diagnostic journeys, and the challenges of living with conditions that are often misunderstood.
In medicine, common conditions are often referred to as "horses," while rare diseases are known as "zebras." Although each rare disease affects relatively few people, more than 300 million people worldwide live with a rare disease. Collectively, rare diseases impact more people than many realize, yet they are frequently underdiagnosed, misdiagnosed, or diagnosed only after years of searching for answers.
I host this podcast not only as an advocate, but also as someone living with Homocystinuria (HCU), a rare inherited metabolic disorder. I understand firsthand how isolating a rare diagnosis can be and how important education, research, and community are for patients and families.
Whether you are a patient, caregiver, healthcare professional, researcher, policymaker, student, or simply curious about rare diseases, Rare Connection aims to educate, inspire, and connect people through real conversations and expert insights.
Video episodes are available on YouTube through Rare_Chef, with audio available on all major podcast platforms.
If you have a rare disease, undiagnosed condition, or work in rare disease research, advocacy, or healthcare and would like to be a guest, I'd love to hear from you. Please contact me at joanna.ball41@gmail.com.
Rare Connection is more than a podcast—it's a growing community. Beyond sharing educational interviews, I help connect patients and families with rare disease organizations, Facebook support groups, advocacy groups, clinical trial information, researchers, and others who may be able to provide support or answer questions. Sometimes the most important step is simply helping someone realize they are not alone.
Rare Connection
EveryCat Health Foundation: The Cat Connection to Long COVID In Humans with Dr Placer
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Welcome to Season 7 of Rare Connection!
What can cats teach us about human health?
In this episode, Joanna Ball welcomes Dr. Maggie Placer of the EveryCat Health Foundation to explore the growing field of One Health, the idea that the health of humans, animals, and our shared environment are deeply connected.
Dr. Placer begins with a special presentation highlighting the history of the EveryCat Health Foundation, advances in feline research, and how studies of Feline Infectious Peritonitis (FIP) have contributed to our understanding of coronaviruses, including COVID-19. The conversation then continues with an interview covering Dr. Placer's background, the Foundation's mission, and why collaboration between veterinary and human medicine is creating new opportunities for medical discovery.
Whether you're interested in rare diseases, translational medicine, veterinary science, or emerging research, this episode offers a fascinating look at how discoveries in one species can improve the lives of another.
In this episode:
- Dr. Maggie Placer's journey into veterinary medicine
- The mission of the EveryCat Health Foundation
- The One Health approach to research
- Feline Infectious Peritonitis (FIP) and its connection to COVID research
- How veterinary discoveries can advance human medicine
Thank you to Dr. Maggie Placer and the EveryCat Health Foundation for joining us to kick off Season 7 of Rare Connection.
If you enjoy the show, please subscribe, leave a review, and share this episode to help us continue connecting patients, advocates, researchers, clinicians, and industry leaders around the world.