Utah RDAC Joins Juneteenth Health Fair
June 23, 2022
Members of the Utah Rare Disease Advisory Council (RDAC) on Monday participated in the Utah Juneteenth Holiday Health & Wellness Expo, National Sickle Cell Day, held at the Gallivan Center, in Salt Lake City, Utah. Toya Jules and Matt Pearl, RDAC members and rare disease patients, exhibited at the day long event.
“The RDAC felt it was important to be represented at this Juneteenth health-focused celebration and reach out to wellness allies and stakeholders,” noted Pearl.
“Rare disease patients face many unique challenges,” added Jules. “Engaging on Juneteenth provided RDAC an opportunity to highlight our rare disease advocacy efforts across diverse communities.”
The RDAC was established during the 2020 Utah legislature as an advisory body that provides a platform for those in Utah’s rare disease community to have a stronger voice in state government.
The Utah Division of Multicultural Affairs notes that “For over 150 years, Juneteeth has been celebrated across the country to commemorate the day enslaved Black Americans in Texas first learned of their emancipation by the proclamation made by Abraham Lincoln. Since then, Juneteenth has become a time to celebrate the experience and pursuit of freedom and unity”.
The RDAC was established during the 2020 Utah legislature as an advisory body that provides a platform for those in Utah’s rare disease community to have a stronger voice in state government. BioUtah acts as administrator of the RDAC under contract with the Utah Department of Health.