National Geographic travel writer Marybeth Bond and her daughter, JC, bicycled from San Francisco to New York City this June and July, to raise awareness of osteoporosis and to raise funds for the National Osteoporosis Foundation (NOF). Their 3,000 mile ride, through five National Parks and seven cities, raised more than $27,500. Their efforts were supported by Total® cereal, who matched 100 percent of their fundraising efforts up to $25,000.
This mother-daughter duo began their trip with their rear bicycle wheels in the San Francisco Bay on June 3 and ended with their front tires in the Atlantic Ocean in New York on July 31. The team made stops in Denver, Bentonville, Minneapolis, Chicago, Cincinnati and Washington D.C. along their journey. Along the way they had one mission: educate our nation’s mothers and daughters about the importance of building strong bones for life.
"My family has a history of osteoporosis, so I am passionate about this health issue and my active approach to supporting bone health," said Marybeth Bond, member of the Bond Girls Bike America team. "Total cereal has been the perfect partner for my physically demanding journey, because the cereal is dedicated to helping women start the day with the nutrients they need."
"We are grateful to the Bond Girls Bike America team and Total cereal for helping NOF bring osteoporosis and the associated fracture risk to the forefront of health matters for Americans. They are truly inspirational women," said Amy Porter, executive director and CEO for National Osteoporosis Foundation. "The donations from the Bonds' bike tour will help us fund much-needed support and education for the estimated 44 million Americans who are affected by the disease."
Established in 1984, the National Osteoporosis Foundation, a leading community-focused health organization, is dedicated to the prevention of osteoporosis and broken bones, the promotion of strong bones for life and the reduction of human suffering through programs of awareness, education, advocacy and research. For more information on the National Osteoporosis Foundation, visit www.nof.org.
The National Osteoporosis Foundation has named Barbara Hannah Grufferman as its first Bone Health Ambassador. In this newly-established role, Grufferman, a well-known advocate for healthy and positive living, will dedicate her time, talent and energy to raise awareness for osteoporosis and the importance of building strong bones for life.
Thanks to a generous gift from The Samuel J. & Ethel LeFrak Charitable Trust, the National Osteoporosis Foundation met its Generations of Strength fundraising goal one year early. NOF launched the Generations of Strength initiative in September 2011 with the goal of raising $2 million in two years to improve patient care for the most vulnerable – those who have broken bones due to osteoporosis – and to protect future generations from the disease.
The National Osteoporosis Foundation (NOF), the nation’s leading health organization dedicated to preventing osteoporosis and broken bones, has named Claire Gill as its Senior Director of Marketing, Consumer and Corporate Outreach. Gill brings extensive experience in public relations and marketing communications to this newly-established role.