RARE DISEASE DAY 2025



ROCKET PHARMA CELEBRATES RARE DISEASE DAY 2025
EVERY STRIPE TELLS A STORY
Approximately 10% of Americans are affected by a rare disease, with over 300 million people impacted globally. Many individuals and families facing these conditions struggle with isolation and unanswered medical questions –but together, we can change that. Rare Disease Day is a global movement to raise awareness and support for those living with rare diseases.
This year, Rocket Pharmaceuticals proudly hosted Rare Disease Day 2025: Every Stripe Tells a Story at the Park Chateau in East Brunswick, NJ.
Every Stripe Tells a Story brought together the patient community, patient advocates, genetic counselors, industry leaders, regulatory and access experts, and Rocket employees to discuss key topics such as Danon disease, making impactful memories, the importance of genetic testing, and innovations shaping the future of rare disease therapies.
Welcome | The Meaning of Rare Disease Day
Kinnari Patel, PharmD, MBA, President, Head of R&D and Chief Operating Officer

Danon Disease | Patient, Family, and Advocate Perspectives
Brittany & Micah, Living with Danon disease
Jenny Hsieh, Co-Founder and President, Danon Foundation
Amy Atkinson, Co-Founder, Danon Foundation
Latika Hickey, PharmD, Senior Director, Patient Advocacy, Rocket Pharma

Advocacy Spotlight | RTW Foundation
Joe Katakowski, PhD, Director, Research, RTW Foundation

Making Memories that Matter
Jennifer Bennett, Assistant Vice President of Mission Delivery, Make-A-Wish Foundation of New Jersey
Dominique Gleason, Director of Events, Make-A-Wish Foundation of New Jersey

Fanconi Anemia | Voices of Hope
Erika Zannou-Mantri, PharmD, PhD, MBA, SVP, Global Program Head & Development Operations

Breaking Barriers: Pathways to Support Innovation and Access for Rare Disease Therapies
Michael Lehmicke, Senior VP, Science and Industry Affairs, ARM
Alan Minsk, Partner, Arnall Golden Gregory
Mike Cibulsky, AVP, Head of U.S. Value, Access & Trade, Rocket Pharma

From DNA to Diagnosis | The Transformative Power of Genetic Testing in Rare Disease
Cara Barnett, MS, CGC, NSGC Cardiovascular Genetics Expert
Xiao P. Peng, MD PhD, Director of Advanced Diagnostics, New York Center for Rare Diseases at Montefiore Einstein
Monisha Sebastin, MS, CGC, The Children’s Hospital at Montefiore
Tom Faria, PharmD, Vice President, Head of Global Medical Affairs, Rocket Pharma

Closing Remarks
Gaurav Shah, M.D., Chief Executive Officer, Rocket Pharma







