ALISO VIEJO, Calif. & WASHINGTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Today, Global Genes, a leading international non-profit organization representing the rare disease community, and the American Blockchain and Cryptocurrency Association (ABCA), a multi-stakeholder non-profit association advocating for the use of blockchain and distributed technologies for the betterment of markets and societies, announced its #1in10RARE Cryptocurrency Challenge will shift the focus of cryptocurrency based fund-raising efforts on Rare Disease Day to generate support for Ukrainian rare disease organizations or other international efforts to support patients and families from Ukraine whose access to care, treatment or other needed resources have been disrupted by the Russian invasion.
The initiative urges investors in cryptocurrencies to donate one-tenth (0.10) of Bitcoin or Ethereum, through The Giving Block to Global Genes and demonstrate -- in just one 24-hour period on Monday, February 28th -- the substantial positive and rapid impact the crypto community can have in helping to address critical challenges. Crypto funds raised on Rare Disease Day will be directed toward Impact Grants to support organizations and families from Ukraine. Cryptocurrency donations may also be tax deductible for investors.
“When we initially planned this campaign, it was to support the critical needs of hundreds of millions of patients globally without approved treatments for rare conditions,” says Craig Martin, CEO of Global Genes. “As events unfolded in recent days, it became clear that we needed to focus more specifically on the needs of Ukrainian patients and families whose access to critical medicines and supplies are being disrupted by this war. Our partners at ABCA and in the crypto community share that mindset and ability to mobilize quickly to address big challenges, and we’re pleased they’ve jumped in with us on this effort.”
"Knowing the already significant burdens facing rare disease families and how those challenges must be affecting Ukrainian families, in particular, the ABCA worked with Global Genes to very rapidly shift our attention to applying the #1in10Rare donation efforts toward the extraordinary needs that have now arisen in that region," said Howard Greenberg, President of the ABCA. "We are calling out to our community to respond aggressively in support of this important cause."
The #1in10RARE cryptocurrency challenge campaign started at 12:01 am on February 28th and ends at midnight. This challenge aims to generate at least $1 million in equivalent donations in a 24-hour period. The donations generated during that period will fund impact grants with an emphasis on organizations serving patients and families from Ukraine.
The donation link is live, and all early donations will be counted toward the Rare Disease Day total. The link will remain active, with the goal of generating $10 million in donations in March.
About Global Genes
Global Genes is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization dedicated to eliminating the burdens and challenges of rare diseases for patients and families globally. In pursuit of our mission, we connect, empower, and inspire the rare disease community to stand up, stand out, and become more effective on their own behalf — helping to spur innovation, meet essential needs, build capacity and knowledge, and drive progress within and across rare diseases. We serve the more than 400 million people around the globe and nearly one in 10 Americans affected by rare diseases. If you or someone you love has a rare disease or are searching for a diagnosis, contact Global Genes at 949-248-RARE or visit our Resource Hub.
About ABCA
The American Blockchain and Cryptocurrency Association (ABCA) is a Washington, DC-based membership-driven not-for-profit trade association aiming to advance a vision for how distributed technologies and cross-border innovations – such as cryptocurrencies and blockchain technologies – can lead to sound markets and the more efficient delivery of services. Distributed technologies will inaugurate a fundamental re-assessment of how individuals, organizations, jurisdictions, and nations provide and consume services across dozens of industries. ABCA provides a voice first and foremost for the individuals – miners, investors, academics, entrepreneurs, as well as corporations – who are driving the blockchain evolution. ABCA engages with a broad stakeholder community, from individual investors and technology firms, to financial institutions, policy makers and the broader marketplace through outreach, engagement, education, research and advocacy work.
