What if we told you that AI is helping us find new uses for existing medicines, bringing us closer to treatments for rare diseases? 🔍 🔬 💡

In this episode of March Forward, we gently explore how Artificial Intelligence is transforming drug repurposing, offering a new horizon of hope for patients and families navigating rare conditions. We discuss how AI sifts through vast amounts of data to uncover hidden connections between existing drugs and rare diseases, significantly speeding up the journey to potential treatments.

Learn how this innovative approach reduces development time and costs, and hear compelling success stories where AI has made a life-saving impact for previously untreatable conditions. We’ll also address the challenges, such as data quality and ethical considerations.

Join us as we explore how AI is not just a scientific tool but an economic enabler, fostering a more equitable landscape for drug development and transforming previously "unprofitable" areas into feasible therapeutic targets. Our goal is to help you feel seen, heard, and empowered on your unique journey. 💜

Remember, you are not alone, and together, we can move forward toward a future where more rare diseases have treatments. ❤️‍🩹

Don't forget to subscribe to March Forward for more insights. Like this episode, and share your thoughts or questions in the comments below – we're all in this together.

Relevant links & Resources

• https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11645266/
• https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11719738/
• https://www.medangel.org/ai-drug-detective/

#AIDrugRepurposing #RareDisease #ChronicIllness #PatientCommunity #MedicalAdvancements #AIinHealthcare #DrugDiscovery #HopeForRareDiseases #MarchForward #MarchCommunity #HealthPodcast #PatientEmpowerment #YouAreNotAlone #ScienceExplained

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We know that navigating a health challenge can sometimes feel isolating. That’s why we created March a place for patients, families, and caregivers to connect with others who truly get it.

March is built on a simple but powerful idea: you are not alone.

Here, you can share your story, find trustworthy information, and offer and receive support without judgment. Our goal is to help you take those steady, forward steps on your journey, together with a community that understands and cares.

Our podcast, March Forward breaks down complex research, highlights promising therapies, and keeps you informed about the latest rare disease breakthroughs. Because hope starts with staying informed.

We invite you to listen, learn, and be a part of our growing family. To stay connected with our community and get the latest updates, please join the conversation with us across our platforms.

Follow us and find your community:

YouTube: https://youtube.com/@march.community?si=0t79oUkTJErtlENM

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/march.circle?igsh=MWIzdmV5b3g0azM1ZQ==

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/march-community/

Thank you for being here. Together, we can find a better way.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Have you ever felt that living with a rare or chronic illness comes with an unseen weight, a battle fought not just in the body, but in the mind too? 🧠

In this episode of March Forward, we gently explore the profound emotional and psychological impacts that often accompany rare and chronic conditions. We discuss the often-arduous "diagnostic odyssey" and how it, along with the daily realities of illness, can lead to feelings of sadness, anxiety, and a deep sense of grief for the life that was. 💔

Learn why simply being told to "just be positive" can actually be harmful, and how validating your true feelings is a powerful step towards healing. We'll also address the common feelings of isolation and the "fear of being a burden," offering ways to foster connection and build a supportive community around you.

Join us as we explore practical strategies for cultivating joy and purpose amidst limitations, from practicing self-compassion and connecting with nature to finding meaning beyond illness. 💪 We'll also highlight pathways to crucial mental health support, including therapy and valuable support groups, and discuss why comprehensive, integrated care is so vital.

Our goal is to help you feel seen, heard, and empowered on your unique journey. Remember, you are not alone, and your mental well-being is just as important as your physical health. ❤️

Don't forget to subscribe to March Forward for more insights. Like this episode, and share your thoughts or questions in the comments below – we're all in this together.

Research & Resources:

• The Psychological Strain of Chronic Physical Illness. News-Medical.net: https://www.news-medical.net/health/The-Psychological-Strain-of-Chronic-Physical-Illness.aspx
• The Complex Relationship Between Chronic Diseases and Mental Health. Open Access Journals: https://www.openaccessjournals.com/articles/the-complex-relationship-between-chronic-diseases-and-mental-health.pdf
• Coping with Chronic Illnesses. ResearchGate: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/353287468_Coping_with_Chronic_Illnesses
• Resilience in chronic diseases: A systematic review. ResearchGate: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/275025127_Resilience_in_chronic_diseases_A_systematic_review

#MentalHealth #RareDisease #ChronicIllness #PatientCommunity #EmotionalWellness #InvisibleIllness #GriefAndLoss #TraumaInformedCare #SelfCompassion #SupportGroups #MarchForward #MarchCommunity #HealthPodcast #PatientEmpowerment #YouAreNotAlone #MindBodyConnection

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March is built on a simple but powerful idea: you are not alone.

Here, you can share your story, find trustworthy information, and offer and receive support without judgment. Our goal is to help you take those steady, forward steps on your journey, together with a community that understands and cares.

Our podcast, March Forward breaks down complex research, highlights promising therapies, and keeps you informed about the latest rare disease breakthroughs. Because hope starts with staying informed.

We invite you to listen, learn, and be a part of our growing family. To stay connected with our community and get the latest updates, please join the conversation with us across our platforms.

Follow us and find your community:

YouTube: https://youtube.com/@march.community?si=0t79oUkTJErtlENM

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/march.circle?igsh=MWIzdmV5b3g0azM1ZQ==

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/march-community/

Thank you for being here. Together, we can find a better way.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The search for a rare disease diagnosis can be a long and lonely journey. But what if advanced technology could help light the way?

In this episode of March Forward, we’re exploring SHEPHERD, an innovative AI approach bringing new hope to rare disease diagnosis. Published in June 2025, SHEPHERD uses a clever "few-shot learning" method, allowing it to learn effectively even from limited patient information. It also uses a deep rare disease knowledge graph, acting like a vast, interconnected map to find important connections for your unique health picture.

SHEPHERD is designed to support you by:

• Uncovering Causal Genes: Helping pinpoint the genetic changes behind a condition.
• Finding 'Patients-Like-Me': Connecting you with others who have incredibly similar conditions.
• Characterizing New Conditions: Describing unique presentations to get closer to answers.

This isn't just theory. SHEPHERD has been tested on real-world cases from the Undiagnosed Diseases Network, successfully identifying causal genes in 40% of patients across many challenging areas. It works with clinicians, providing vital insights to shorten the diagnostic odyssey.

Learn More About SHEPHERD's Research:

• SHEPHERD's Published Research (npj Digital Medicine): https://www.nature.com/articles/s41746-025-01749-1
• Zitnik Lab SHEPHERD Project Page: https://zitniklab.hms.harvard.edu/projects/SHEPHERD/
• SHEPHERD Preprint (medRxiv): https://www.medrxiv.org/content/10.1101/2022.12.07.22283238v2
• PubMed Central Article: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC12222559/

Subscribe to March Forward, for more deep dives. Like this episode, and share your thoughts below; we’re here to listen.

#RareDisease #AIinHealth #Undiagnosed #GeneticDisorders #DiagnosticOdyssey #MarchForward #Podcast #YouAreNotAlone #PatientEmpowerment

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We know that navigating a health challenge can sometimes feel isolating. That’s why we created March a place for patients, families, and caregivers to connect with others who truly get it.

March is built on a simple but powerful idea: you are not alone.

Here, you can share your story, find trustworthy information, and offer and receive support without judgment. Our goal is to help you take those steady, forward steps on your journey, together with a community that understands and cares.

Our podcast, March Forward breaks down complex research, highlights promising therapies, and keeps you informed about the latest rare disease breakthroughs. Because hope starts with staying informed.

We invite you to listen, learn, and be a part of our growing family. To stay connected with our community and get the latest updates, please join the conversation with us across our platforms.

Follow us and find your community:

YouTube: https://youtube.com/@march.community?si=0t79oUkTJErtlENM

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/march.circle?igsh=MWIzdmV5b3g0azM1ZQ==

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/march-community/

Thank you for being here. Together, we can find a better way.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.