Kansas City, MO – June 15, 2026
After a long-standing relationship, BioNexus KC and RareKC are formalizing their partnership to expand patient engagement, strengthen support for families affected by rare genetic conditions, and connect the community with more coordinated resources. Together, the organizations will bring patients, caregivers, clinicians, researchers and industry partners into closer collaboration to improve education, navigation, diagnosis, research and care across the KC region.
Founded by advocate Kelly Ranallo in 2015, RareKC drives innovation in the diagnosis, care, and treatment of rare disorders by connecting and inspiring the community.
“This partnership will deepen support for patients and families living with rare disease while strengthening the connections that move research and care forward,” said Dennis Ridenour, President and CEO of BioNexus KC. “By bringing together patients, clinicians, researchers and community partners, we can help people navigate their journey, access resources earlier, and improve outcomes.
More than 7,000 rare genetic conditions affect an estimated 30 million Americans, yet only 15% of those conditions have foundations supporting and driving research. In Kansas City, approximately 250,000 people suffer from a rare disease and roughly half are children.
“Partnering with BioNexus KC strengthens our ability to reach more patients and families, connect them with meaningful support, and build a stronger network around rare disorders in our region,” said Kelly Ranallo. “Together, we can create more opportunities for people to feel seen, informed, and supported throughout their journey.”
This partnership aims to close critical gaps for rare families by expanding community connections, increasing access to trusted resources, and raising the visibility of patient needs and research initiatives. Through this joint effort, BioNexus KC and RareKC will strengthen the regional ecosystem of support for patients and families while advancing innovation in care and research.
The Kansas City region is a global leader at the nexus of human and animal health, and BioNexus KC plays a central role in advancing that leadership. As a regional convener and catalyst for life sciences innovation, BioNexus KC is uniquely positioned to promote scientific advancement and strengthen the impact of the region’s research ecosystem.
BioNexus KC stimulates collaboration, accelerates the translation of emerging technologies from concept to real-world application, and creates opportunities at the intersection of:
Through strategic partnerships, data-driven initiatives, and support for regional innovation, BioNexus KC advances life sciences research that drives scientific progress and innovation.
RareKC was created to connect the rare community – to empower our voices and inspire innovation throughout the medical and research community – all for the single purpose of rare. We bring together both the passion and resources of our rare community in order to elevate our strength in numbers and foster an environment of hope for ourselves, and everyone else that joins us in this journey. RareKC transforms the lives of those touched by rare genetic conditions by ensuring every person impacted by RARE has a pathway to follow and a future of hope.
