2025 TORCH Awards ceremony stage
2025 TORCH Awards ceremony stage
TORCH Awards
Sanofi’s TORCH Awards, which stands for "Transforming Outreach in Rare Diseases and Creating Hope," is a recognition program celebrating champions in the rare disease and rare blood disorder communities.
Launched in 2017, this prestigious program honors individuals who have made exceptional contributions to rare disease advocacy, awareness, and support.
Celebrating Our 2026 Honorees
Hear from Duane Clark, General Manager and Head of US Rare Diseases, Sanofi, and Jeff Schaffnit, General Manager and Head of US Rare Blood Disorders, Sanofi, about our 2026 award recipients:
To learn more about our TORCH award winners and their inspiring stories, visit the TORCH playlist on Sanofi’s YouTube channel. Be sure to check back soon for additional winner spotlight videos.
Program Details
Each year, the TORCH Awards recognize advocates who have found meaningful ways to bring awareness to rare diseases and have demonstrated outstanding commitment to educating, empowering, and connecting patients within the community. These inspiring individuals transform their personal experiences into powerful platforms for advocacy and change.
Winners receive special recognition and the opportunity to direct a $5,000 donation to a non-profit organization of their choosing. Following a competitive nomination period, awardees are selected through a thorough evaluation process conducted by a Sanofi designated selection committee.
Please see below for eligibility requirements and selection criteria.
Program Impact
Since its inception, the TORCH Awards have recognized dozens of inspiring advocates and contributed hundreds of thousands of dollars to support rare disease organizations across the country. These awards continue to shine a light on the remarkable individuals who carry the torch for the rare disease community, ensuring that rare diseases are no longer overlooked, silenced, or dismissed.
TORCH Awards nomination and selection process timeline
Eligibility Criteria
The TORCH Awards seek to honor individuals who exemplify relentless dedication and excellence in rare disease advocacy. Ideal candidates include:
- Individuals who have made significant contributions to the rare disease community
- Advocates who have demonstrated leadership in rare disease awareness and education
- Those who have created innovative programs or initiatives that benefit the rare disease community
- Individuals who have shown dedication to empowering patients and families affected by rare diseases
Please note, prescribing healthcare providers (HCPs) are not eligible for this program.
Selection Process
- The nomination period for the 2026 awards is now closed. Nominations for the 2027 TORCH Awards will open in February 2027
- Nominations can be submitted by individuals or organizations
- All nominations undergo a thorough review process
- Winners are selected based on their impact, innovation, and dedication to the rare disease community
- Selection is conducted in partnership with an internal designated review committee
-
If you have any questions, please contact TorchAwards@sanofi.com
MAT-US-2600992-v2.0-08/2026