"Rare Diseases 360° - collaborative strategies to leave no-one behind" was the overarching theme of ECRD 2018. This theme reinforces the unique quality of this foremost event for the rare disease community in Europe, bringing together and facilitating effective policy discussions between all rare disease stakeholders. It also encompassed the comprehensive range of topic areas covered at the conference and the viewpoint of rare disease patients as equal experts representing all rare diseases across borders.