From left Minna Wilska-Sundström, vice-chairman, Katri Karlsson, chairman, Saimi Hoyer, Paula Grönroos, secretary.

HARSO

HARSO is the face and voice of sufferers of rare diseases. We especially promote patient organisations for rare diseases. The umbrella organisation for patient associations for rare diseases and debilitating conditions, HARSO, was founded on 21 January 2012.

We are a recognised and acknowledged organisation in Finland. HARSO is an umbrella organisation for organisations providing support for various rare diseases and was founded and is run by patient organisations for rare diseases and debilitating conditions. We are a member of Eurordis, a patient-driven alliance of patient organisations in the field of rare diseases. Before the foundation of HARSO, there was no umbrella organisation for patient organisations for rare diseases in Finland.

At the moment, HARSO has 24 full members, three supporting communities and three supporting members. HARSO was founded to increase cooperation between and support the activities of all organisations and individuals in the field of rare diseases in Finland from the point of view of the patient, and to boost the sense of community between them.