About Us

Founded in 2021 by a passionate group of high school students in Vancouver, RareCare Health Foundation is driven by a shared commitment to support and empower rare disease patients and their families. Along the way, we have organized many impactful fundraising events, built strong collaborations with nonprofits globally, and launched educational workshops and awareness campaigns to bring visibility and aid to those affected. These efforts have raised over $15,000, providing essential support to hundreds of rare disease patients and their families across Canada, the USA, Zambia, Kenya, Uganda, Nigeria, Mexico, Finland, and beyond.

Meet Our Team

Victor Zhao

President and Founder of RareCare Health Foundation; Chief Editor of Youth Journal on Rare Diseases

Greetings, my name is Victor Zhao, a Canadian high school senior who is dedicated to helping support children with rare diseases. Often sidelined by other more well-known diseases and viruses, rare diseases are an important issue in society that often gets overlooked, which is why I believe RareCare will make an important positive impact on people who suffer from rare diseases. When considering what I could do to help patients that I have met in hospitals around my city, I was fortunate to find a group of youth passionate about tackling this problem, and willing to raise awareness about rare diseases with me, which allowed me to found RareCare. As the founder of RareCare, I am determined to take steps toward raising awareness for rare diseases as well as supporting these children through fundraising activities. I believe that with our minds and bodies combined, we can make a tangible impact on our community and beyond. Outside of rare diseases, I have dedicated my time to the research of diseases such as leukemia and neuroblastoma, cancers that disproportionally manifest more in children. In the future, I plan to use the research knowledge, funds, and connections RareCare to create a more permanent solution for children around the world and help them embrace themselves without prejudice and judgment from others.

Media & Design

Jiayi Liu

My name is Jiayi Liu, I am a middle school student. When I chose to join RareCare, I had one goal in mind: to bring light and hope to those living in the shadow of rare diseases through the power of the community. Whether through raising public awareness, participating in fundraising events, or providing direct support and care to patients and their families, I hope to make a substantial contribution to improving their lives. By joining us, you'll be part of a larger mission, working with us to end society's misconceptions about rare diseases. We want to build a more inclusive and understanding society where people with rare diseases feel they are not alone, their struggles are seen and their needs are heard. I know that the power of each individual is small, but together, it can form a great force. That's why I joined Rare Care to contribute to the future of patients with rare diseases.

Bourne Yang

Hello, my name is Bourne Yang and I am a grade 10 student attending Lord Byng Secondary School. Since a young age, I have always had a passion for art and design. I have decided to join Rarecare to apply my interest in art in a meaningful way by highlighting the struggles of rare disease holders. At Rarecare, I aim to contribute my artistic skills and creativity to support their mission of raising awareness and financial support for people possessing rare illnesses. I am excited for the opportunity and know myself to be a team player who can collaborate with those that share my enthusiasm for community service. While spreading the message for rare diseases, I hope to bring more attention to the importance of art in our society and how it can deepen our understanding of the issues that matter.

Kelly Yu

Hello, I'm Kelly Yu, a 17-year-old girl from Vancouver who prides herself on her passion for art and fashion. I won 1st place in the “11th Youth World Cup Live Painting Competition” and walked runways at Vancouver Fashion Week. I am a big fan and student of design, and I previously curated the "Azure" collection, a fashion catalogue that blends aesthetics with environmentalism. As the lead designer for "RareCare", I think I am taking part in an important cause that will make the lives of people around the world better in a meaningful way. I truly hope my designs will help raise people’s awareness of pediatric cancers and concrete support for the research and treatment of rare diseases.

Candice Zheng

Hello, I’m Candice Zheng, and I joined RareCare because I want to provide assistance in improving the lives of children affected by rare diseases. My passion for advocating for these children drives my dedication to this cause, as I believe that every child deserves access to compassionate care and essential medical resources. I am eager to contribute my skills to raise awareness, support families, and promote understanding of these often-overlooked conditions. Together, I’m confident RareCare can make a meaningful difference in the lives of these children and offer them hope for a brighter future.

Communications & Events

Vincent Guo

Hello, my name is Vincent and I am eager to be involved with the RareCare program. Having conducted comprehensive research on malaria as one of my extracurricular projects, I have developed a deep understanding of how disease affects the human body, and I am delighted to contribute my knowledge to RareCare. Not only do I have some prior knowledge, but I believe that my abilities and skills will be supplemented by my experience with caring for patients as a volunteer in several hospitals. I plan to serve an on-the-ground role at RareCare, directly communicating with patients, their families, and our future partners and share what I know to make a difference.

Amy Liu

Hello! My name is Amy Liu and I am a grade 11 student at Prince of Wales Secondary School. I have a strong passion for both art and writing. Recently, I got the opportunity to join RareCare, an organization that aligns perfectly with my interests. Through my involvement with Rarecare, I aim to leverage my skills in communication and language to support their mission of making the world a better place for people that suffer from underrepresented illnesses. I am excited to work alongside like-minded individuals to create positive change and bring awareness to important causes within our community.

Joanna Luan

Hi! My name is Joanna, a hard-working, organized, and responsible Grade 12 student currently studying at Sentinel Secondary School. Being involved in many extracurricular activities has shaped my character into someone who is a strong academic achiever as well as a well-rounded and open-minded individual. My flexibility will be essential as I take up my new commitment with RareCare, as I know I will need to be efficient with my time and always ready to adapt to unforeseen circumstances. The clients, children, and other organizations I will liase with during my time here will test my ability to work both independently and collaboratively, and I look forward to seeing the positive impact my actions will have. I want to join RareCare because I think it is a great chance to aid those in need of extra support whilst struggling with severe diseases. I hope, with my contribution, that more people around my community will be able to learn about and be inspired to support those with rare illnesses.

Cassidy Ngan

Hello! My name is Cassidy, and I am thrilled to be participating in Rare Care. When I was little, I was diagnosed with ADHD and high-functioning autism. Most children with these conditions are often neglected and rarely treated the same way as normal kids. However, my parents took the time to learn about my disability and supported me in ways that made a tremendous difference in my life. Their empathy and dedication ensured that I did not turn out the way other kids, whose parents neglected them, did. Ever since then, I have always been drawn to opportunities that allow me to make a meaningful impact. My experiences have led me to have a deep sense of empathy for those facing similar challenges, and I am passionate about advocating for better understanding and support for individuals with often misunderstood conditions. This has led me to RareCare, where I have faith that I will be joined by peers who also believe in advocating for a cause that aligns with my core values of empathy, resilience, and desire to make a positive difference in the lives of others.

Outreach & Partnerships

Sofia Loe

My name is Sofia Loe, and I am currently a student at Collingwood School. Throughout my school years, I’ve always been passionate about giving back to my community. I have volunteered with local food banks and participated in school-led initiatives, such as organizing charity drives and awareness campaigns for various causes. My commitment to service has taught me the value of empathy, teamwork, and leadership, which has driven my desire to make a difference.

Recently, I became particularly interested in the challenges faced by individuals living with rare diseases after learning about the lack of awareness and resources available to them. This realization inspired me to join this nonprofit organization dedicated to rare diseases. I am excited to bring my passion for service, along with my willingness to learn and contribute, to raise awareness, support, and hope for those impacted by these conditions. By working with like-minded individuals, I believe we can make a meaningful impact on the lives of individuals and families facing rare diseases.

Jacky Luan

Hello, my name is Jacky, and I’m a student attending Collingwood school. I have always had an interest in movies and documentaries on doctors, as it lets me see the true side of their everyday work. One of my favorites was Grey’s Anatomy. This show really opened my perspective and inspired me to help people and emphasize people in need. It also showed the mental strength that doctors need to have as they go through every day treating patients. Joining RareCare is a great chance for me to apply my limited medical knowledge for the good of people and patients that are in my surroundings, and I look forward to seeing what I can accomplish alongside my teammates.

David Sheng

Hello! My name is David Sheng, a Grade 12 student currently studying at Sentinel Secondary School. I am deeply concerned about children suffering from rare diseases and aim to utilize my skills in marketing and business strategies to enhance the impact of RareCare and raise public awareness about these conditions. I am committed to this cause, and believe that with my charisma, persistence and dedication, I will be able to convince many people to ally themselves with our cause and make a significant impact on patients and their families, providing them with greater opportunities for a better future.

Justin Xu

My name is Justin, and I will be entering Grade 12 in the coming school year. I usually spend my time online, either working on passion projects or browsing social media. Some of my hobbies include biking, gaming and playing the saxophone. Recently, I have awakened to my drive for public service, and have decided to take part in many community initiatives this summer to improve my community in multifaceted ways. RareCare in particular is an organization I wanted to be a part of, as it gives me a chance to showcase my unique talents to help children who suffer from rare illnesses. As a member of RareCare, I am excited to redouble my efforts to improve the health of my community and the world beyond it.

Research & Journal

Oscar Cao

My name is Oscar Cao. I am currently a Grade 11 student from Saint George’s School. My school highly values the values of empathy and resilience, and I plan to embody these values as I act in the best interests of my community here at RareCare. My personal opinion on the aim of education is that it should ultimately give back to the community. I see my participation in Rarecare to apply this idea. As the organization’s Data Analyst, I plan to increase our reach through designing our website in a way that maximizes the number of people who will come into contact with our ideas.

Angelica Liu

My name is Angelica Liu and I am a grade 11 student from Magee Secondary. I am eager to participate in rare disease research, driven by a sense of empathy for those affected by these conditions. With strong experience in the sciences, I am confident that I will be able to contribute meaningful insights to the RareCare organization and make things better for the people who currently suffer from rare diseases. I am enthusiastic about advancing knowledge and finding information on diseases that are often overlooked. Resilience and determination have been qualities I have tempered throughout my academic career, and I know they are critical for what I plan to accomplish at RareCare. By taking part, I aim to contribute to the development of novel therapies and better living environments for those suffering from uncommon conditions.

Angela Wan

I am a 11th grade student at Shawnigan Lake School. I wanted to join RareCare because I know that kindness and compassion are often lacking in today's society. Across the African continent, 2.6 million children under the age of five die each year. Many people will point to factors like hunger and sanitation as the causes, but few will mention rare diseases, which despite their name is a widespread condition that affect millions of people worldwide. For example, RD patients in Africa face enormous financial difficulties due to high medical costs and social marginalization. I believe that joining RareCare will be an important step I need to take to help people like this, and every step of the way, I want to spread a little bit of kindness around the world.

Terry Zhao

My name is Terry, and I am a student at West Point Grey Academy. Traveling to Nigeria for one of our school trips opened my eyes to the harsh realities faced by those living in impoverished conditions. Witnessing the struggles of people who lack basic necessities like clean water and healthcare profoundly affected me. This experience ignited a deep sense of empathy within me and fueled my desire to spread awareness and drive change. I am eager to participate in RareCare because I believe in the power of collective effort and resilience. By joining this initiative, I aim to channel my enthusiasm and compassion into making a tangible difference, advocating for those in need, and inspiring others to do the same. At RareCare, I hope to serve as a journalist-advocate, and bring people’s attention to rare conditions like neurofibromatosis in order to create a more empathetic and informed world.