Organization Spotlight: Inspire
About Inspire
Inspire is the world’s largest online community built entirely around the experiences of patients and caregivers. With more than three million members across 250+ condition-specific communities, Inspire offers a place where people can find support, information, and belonging.
At its core, Inspire is designed to help patients and caregivers connect with others who truly understand what it’s like to navigate a diagnosis. Each community blends lived experience with expert-backed resources, empowering members to share openly, learn from one another, and take an active role in their health journey.
The Origin Story
Founded in 2005, Inspire began with a simple but powerful belief: that patients and caregivers need more than medical facts—they need connection. Early on, the team behind Inspire recognized a gap in online health spaces. While information was available, there were few places where people could talk honestly about their challenges and triumphs, or simply feel understood by others on a similar path.
Over time, Inspire grew through partnerships with patient advocacy organizations, expanding across rare and chronic conditions, cancer, neurological diseases, and beyond. What started as a handful of communities is now a global network supporting millions of people every year.
Since its founding, Inspire has partnered with more than one hundred patient advocacy organizations, amplifying patient voices across the health landscape. Beyond connection, Inspire also contributes to advancing research by helping life sciences organizations better understand patient needs and experiences. These efforts have driven awareness, shaped treatment approaches, and highlighted the power of patient voices in healthcare.
Why It Matters
Connection with others who understand: Members find comfort and strength in conversations with peers facing similar challenges.
Safe space to share openly: Inspire offers anonymity and judgment-free engagement, encouraging honest dialogue.
Trusted information: A blend of patient voices and expert insights helps members feel more prepared at every step.
Amplifying patient voices: Every story contributes to a broader understanding of health conditions, benefiting both patients and researchers.
Join the Community
For the rare disease community, connection is especially vital. That’s why Inspire has partnered with Know Rare to create a dedicated space where patients and caregivers across the rare disease spectrum can share their experiences, learn from others, and find meaningful support.
Join the Know Rare Community on Inspire today: https://www.inspire.com/groups/know-rare/.
