Dr. Groft has been focusing attention on rare and orphan diseases like bone marrow failure bone marrow failure: A condition that occurs when the bone marrow stops making enough healthy blood cells. The most common of these rare diseases are aplastic anemia, myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) and paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria (PNH). Bone marrow failure can be acquired (begin any time in life) or can be… . His leadership and vision have brought neglected and little known diseases into the spotlight to help garner clinical attention and financial resources for research. All told, 25 to 30 million people in the United States have a rare disease, millions more are caring for a loved one with a rare disease and millions more as employers and friends are impacted. Highlights of his work include time at the Food and Drug Administration in the Office of Orphan Products Development and at the Department of Health and Human Services as Executive Director of the National Commission on Orphan Diseases.