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 Part 2 With Dr Maggie Placer
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n Part 2 of my conversation with Dr. Maggie Placer from EveryCat Health Foundation, we continue our discussion of the One Health approach and the surprising connections between veterinary and human medicine.
This episode explores how research that began with treating cats has contributed to a broader understanding of antiviral therapies and why researchers are now studying Remdesivir as a potential treatment for Long COVID in humans. While the research is ongoing, it highlights how collaboration across medical and veterinary fields can accelerate scientific discovery.
Whether you're interested in rare diseases, infectious diseases, veterinary medicine, or emerging medical research, this conversation offers a fascinating look at how breakthroughs can cross the boundaries between species.
If you missed Part 1, be sure to listen to the previous episode for the beginning of this conversation.
Guest: Dr. Maggie Placer, EveryCat Health Foundation
In this episode:
- What One Health means in practice
- How feline antiviral research has informed human medicine
- Why researchers are investigating antivirals for Long COVID
- The value of collaboration between veterinary and human healthcare
Thank you for listening to Rare Connection, where we connect patients, caregivers, clinicians, researchers, and advocates to educate, inspire, and advance awareness of rare diseases and emerging medical discove