IndoUSrare and GORD name 2026 Bridging RARE award honorees

IndoUSrare and GORD have named three leaders for the 2026 Abbey Meyers Khushi Bridging RARE Awards ahead of the Bridging RARE Gala on Nov. 1 in Manassas, Virginia. The honorees reflect progress in rare disease drug development, patient advocacy and genomic medicine.

Why it matters: - The awards spotlight people working across science, advocacy and policy to speed rare disease diagnosis and treatment. - The gala also serves as a fundraising and networking event for rare disease programs and community-building. - Organizers say the rare disease community includes about 300 million people worldwide.

What happened: - Indo US Organization for Rare Diseases (IndoUSrare) and the Global Organisation for Rare Diseases (GORD) Foundation announced the 2026 Abbey Meyers Khushi Bridging RARE Award honorees on Oct. 6, 2026. - The honorees are Dr. Anish Bhatnagar, Dr. Sumathi Iyengar and Dr. Kumarasamy Thangaraj. - The Bridging RARE Gala 2026 is scheduled for Sunday, Nov. 1, 2026, at the Hylton Performing Arts Center in Manassas, Virginia. - Tickets are available now, and seating is limited. - Registration is available here.

The details: - IndoUSrare is a 501(c)(3) humanitarian organization in the U.S. - GORD Foundation is a Section 8 not-for-profit company in India. - The award is named after rare disease advocacy pioneer Abbey Meyers, founder and president emeritus of the National Organization for Rare Disorders, and Khushi, a symbol of hope and resilience. - The award recognizes leaders who build bridges between science, policy and global patient communities. - Dr. Anish Bhatnagar is being recognized for orphan drug development, support for the Prader-Willi syndrome community and work on therapies for underserved rare disease populations. - Dr. Bhatnagar led the team at Soleno Therapeutics that developed the first FDA-approved treatment for Prader-Willi syndrome, Vykat XR. - TIME Magazine named Dr. Bhatnagar one of the 100 Most Influential People in Health for 2025. - Dr. Bhatnagar also testified before the U.S. Senate Special Committee on Aging on access to therapies for people with rare, progressive and serious diseases. - The Foundation of Prader Willi Research gave Dr. Bhatnagar its Champion of Hope award in 2025. - Dr. Sumathi Iyengar is being recognized for patient-centered leadership and long-term work with the Wiskott-Aldrich syndrome community. - After her son, Amalan, was diagnosed with Wiskott-Aldrich syndrome, Dr. Iyengar helped connect patients and families, engage physicians and researchers, and build the Wiskott-Aldrich Foundation community. - Dr. Iyengar’s advocacy has aimed to strengthen the patient voice in research and therapeutic development for more than a decade. - Dr. Kumarasamy Thangaraj is recognized for more than 30 years of work in population genetics, mitochondrial science and rare neuromuscular disorders. - Dr. Thangaraj’s research on endogamy and founder effects has supported rare disease diagnosis, screening and precision medicine. - Dr. Thangaraj holds the Vigyan Shri award from 2025 and the Padma Shri from 2026. - His leadership includes work with the Society for Mitochondrial Research and Medicine, GenomeIndia and the Paediatric Rare Genetic Disease mission. - The gala is expected to bring together more than 100 leaders from advocacy, academia, healthcare, biotechnology, government and philanthropy. - The event will include keynote remarks, recognition of community leaders, dinner, cultural performances and networking. - Healthcare entrepreneur Dr. Srilekha Reddy Palle, PT, DPT, MBA, will host alongside student leaders and IndoUSrare interns Vinay Kalva of Johns Hopkins University, Amulya Karur of Virginia Commonwealth University and Samyukta Sreevatsa of Poolesville High School. - A Bid4RARE silent auction will feature donated items, experiences and packages, with proceeds supporting IndoUSrare programs and initiatives. - The silent auction is expected to open online before the gala and continue through the event evening. - The gala is black tie and runs from 5:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. ET. - Proceeds from the gala support IndoUSrare programs focused on research, awareness, patient engagement and global collaboration. - Sponsorship inquiries go to admin@indousrare.org. - Donations can be made through Zelle at treasurer@indousrare.org, PayPal or check.

Between the lines: - The honorees reflect three major routes to rare disease progress: drug development, family-led advocacy and genomic research. - The event’s mix of patients, scientists, policymakers and donors suggests IndoUSrare is trying to turn recognition into broader coalition-building. - The fundraising pieces indicate the gala is meant to support operations as well as celebrate achievements.

What's next: - Organizers are encouraging early registration from rare disease families, healthcare professionals, researchers, industry leaders, philanthropists and community advocates. - The silent auction will open online before the gala. - Additional giving options are available at GRAND, GOLD, SILVER, BRONZE and FRIEND of RARE patron levels. - The gala is positioned to raise support for future rare disease programs and collaboration efforts. - The event will be held at the Hylton Performing Arts Center in Manassas, Virginia, on Nov. 1, 2026.