Friday, December 5, 2025
FUNKE enters partnership with colourUp4RARE to strengthen visibility for rare diseases
FUNKE is now an official cooperation partner of the awareness campaign colourUp4RARE (cu4R), which advocates for greater public awareness, improved care structures and stronger political support for people living with rare diseases. The partnership sends a clear signal for more visibility and societal attention for those affected.
The campaign focuses on education and awareness around the international Rare Disease Day (#RareDiseaseDay), held annually on the last day of February. Henriette Schnabl, Chief Partnership Officer at FUNKE, explains: “Through our partnership with colourUp4RARE, we want to help bring people with rare diseases into the public eye and strengthen understanding of the challenges they and their families face.”
Key Messages of colourUp4RARE
The initiative highlights four central priorities:
- Creating visibility: Increased awareness is essential to better understand the needs and burdens of people with rare diseases and their families across society, healthcare and politics.
- Strengthening research: More than 90% of rare diseases still have no approved treatment options. Progress requires long-term investment in research and innovative therapies.
- Mobilizing political action: Rare diseases demand concrete political measures to ensure reliable and innovation-friendly framework conditions.
- Stronger together: colourUp4RARE is an indication-independent initiative supported by healthcare companies, TV-Wartezimmer and game manufacturer Ravensburger in Germany, Austria and Switzerland.
The #ZebraChallenge: Join in and show your colours
A central element of the campaign is the digital #ZebraChallenge, taking place from 21 February to 7 March 2026. FUNKE encourages all readers to participate: players guide a zebra – the international symbol of rare diseases – through various levels while learning more about rare conditions along the way. The zebra becomes increasingly colourful and can be shared on social media to show solidarity.
FUNKE will actively support the campaign across its print and digital channels to reach a broad audience and amplify the relevance of the initiative.
