Knights for Rare 2023 · Amsterdam
Where it all began
In 2023, Avanzanite Bioscience asked a simple question: how can we recognise the extraordinary people who dedicate their lives to improving the lives of those affected by rare diseases?
The answer became Knights for Rare.
Every initiative begins with a single idea
Why Knights for Rare
Honouring the unsung heroes
Knights for Rare was created to honour the unsung heroes of the rare disease community: our Rare Knights. They are the patient advocates whose compassion, perseverance and leadership change lives every day - often without recognition, and always with patients at the centre of their work.
Our 2023 Rare Knight
Honouring Juliette Vila Sinclair-Spence
Our very first Rare Knight was Juliette Vila Sinclair-Spence, founder of the Acanthamoeba Keratitis Eye Foundation.
After experiencing Acanthamoeba Keratitis herself, Juliette turned her personal journey into a global mission. Today she raises awareness, supports patients, advances education and drives research for people affected by this rare and potentially blinding eye infection.
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45+
guests
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€5,000+
raised
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1st
Rare Knight honoured
Watch the highlight reel from Knights for Rare 2023
The Evening
The start of a tradition
That evening in Amsterdam, more than 45 leaders from across biotech, investment and the rare disease community came together with one shared purpose: to celebrate extraordinary advocacy and create meaningful impact.
Together, they raised just over €5,000 to support the Foundation’s work.
What began as a fundraising evening became something much more - a tradition.
Every year since, Knights for Rare has brought together a community united by one belief: that those who dedicate themselves to improving the lives of people living with rare diseases deserve to be recognised, celebrated and supported.