Thank You, Rome

Under the patronage of

Knights for Rare 2026

Wednesday, 16th September 2026

Piazzale Caffarelli 4, Roma

Our 4th Edition

A global community, united for rare

Our 4th edition of Knights for Rare brought an extraordinary international community together in Rome, with guests from across Europe, the Middle East and North America.

Together, we raised €42,600 for UNITED ETS, with 100% of gala and auction proceeds going directly to the federation and the patients and families it supports.

  • 250

    Rare disease champions

  • 33+

    Countries represented

  • €42,600

    Raised for UNITED ETS

  • 100%

    Of gala and auction proceeds donated

The Evening

A room full of people who turn care into action

What made the evening special was the people.

Patient advocates sat alongside world-renowned physician experts in thalassaemia and ophthalmology. Biotech executives and investors met Italian stakeholders and policy-makers. Journalists, our trusted network of suppliers and advisors, and our Avanzanite Champions League team all joined in.

Different backgrounds, one thing in common: people who care deeply about rare disease and turn that commitment into action.

2026 Rare Knight

Raising a stronger voice for patients across Italy

This year, we honoured UNITED ETS - the Italian Federation of Thalassaemia, Rare Haemoglobinopathies and Sickle Cell Disease - as our 2026 Rare Knight.

UNITED ETS brings together [37/38] patient associations across Italy, creating a stronger, shared voice for people living with thalassaemia, sickle cell disease and other rare haemoglobinopathies. Supporting UNITED ETS helps patient organisations advocate around shared priorities, with greater reach and influence.

100% of the funds raised through the gala and auction go directly to UNITED ETS.

Learn more about United ETS

With Thanks To

Honoured by the patronage of Rome

We were honoured to hold Knights for Rare 2026 under the patronage of Roma Capitale and Città metropolitana di Roma Capitale - the City and Metropolitan City of Rome.

Why It Matters

A movement that goes beyond one evening

Knights for Rare is about more than fundraising. It brings patient advocates, government, healthcare, industry and the wider rare disease community together around a common goal. It recognises the remarkable people who give their time, energy and expertise to improve the lives of others. And it's about giving back - building a movement that carries on long after the last bid is placed.

Greater awareness. Stronger patient voices. More collective action.

Watch the highlight reel from Knights for Rare 2026

Large group of people gathered in a well-lit indoor space for a group photo, with some tables and decorative flowers in the foreground.
Group of five people holding a large check at an indoor event, with a banner in the background reading "avanzanite bioscience".
Group of people at a social event, some holding wine glasses, smiling and talking indoors with a bar area and a stone pillar in the background.
A man holding a microphone and a woman holding a sports jersey in a decorated indoor setting, with a banner behind them reading 'avanzanite BIOSCIENCE'.
A woman in a black dress holding a box of colorful watches, while another woman with a microphone, wearing a zebra-striped blazer, stands beside her at an event, with a backdrop displaying the logo 'avatonite'.
Man speaking into a microphone holding a stack of books in a room with large windows and curtains.
Group of people gathered around a high table at a social event, with some holding drinks, standing near large windows with a view of potted plants outside. A man on the right is operating a camera mounted on a stabilizer.
People talking at a social event with a table featuring a sign that reads "avanzite" and "nephrokids," glasses of wine, and a plate of food.

Thank you

To everyone who joined us in Rome, travelled from across Europe and beyond, donated, bid, contributed and helped make the evening possible: thank you.

Your presence and generosity made this achievement possible.

Let's keep building this community together.

No One Left Behind