WASHINGTON, DC (September 6, 2007) — The National Osteoporosis Foundation (NOF) has teamed up with Ladies Home Journal® magazine to launch a 10-city tour starting September 8th and culminating on October 20th, World Osteoporosis Day, to encourage individuals across the country to Start Right, Stay Strong for bone health. Each event includes a morning of fitness and fun that offers individuals information on bone health, exercise, and osteoporosis prevention, diagnosis and treatment.
Each Start Right, Stay Strong Challenge event kicks off with a fitness expert who will demonstrate easy stretches that are important to do before any exercise. Then, the crowd will take a one-mile bone-building walk around the mall.
Participants will have the opportunity to receive a free heel scan to test their bone mass density from a medical professional. They will also receive NOF’s educational materials on osteoporosis and bone health and a gift bag from Ladies Home Journal® filled with samples and a Strong Bones Handbook (while supplies last). All walkers will have a chance to win exciting prizes such as a personal training session or health club membership.
“We know that it’s important for individuals to build and maintain strong bones at each stage of their life, since fractures that occur later in life are the result of fragile bones,” said Felicia Cosman, clinical director of the National Osteoporosis Foundation. “Physical activity, such as walking, and good nutrition, including calcium and vitamin D, are crucial for preventing osteoporosis. It’s important to note, you are never too old or too young to protect your bones.”
The Start Right, Stay Strong Challenge is part of the “Rally with Sally for Bone Health” campaign sponsored by Roche and GlaxoSmithKline. Actress and women’s health advocate Sally Field encourages women to take several key steps to help better manage bone health by walking.
The final mall walk events will take place on October 20th, World Osteoporosis Day, when bone health organizations around the world will encourage people to “Beat the Break: know and reduce your osteoporosis risks!” To find out if there is a mall walk event with NOF and Ladies Home Journal®, in conjunction with Roche and GlaxoSmithKline, near you, visit www.nof.org or call (800) 231-4222.
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Event Locations: |
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Saturday, September 8, 2007 |
Saturday, October 6, 2007 |
About NOF: Established in 1984, the National Osteoporosis Foundation is the nation’s leading voluntary health organization solely dedicated to osteoporosis and bone health. Its mission is to prevent osteoporosis and related fractures, to promote lifelong bone health, to help improve the lives of those affected by osteoporosis, and to find a cure through programs of awareness, advocacy, public and health professional education and research. For more information on osteoporosis and bone health, contact NOF online at www.nof.org or by telephone (800) 223-9994.
Last week, a Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Panel voted that the risks of calcitonin salmon outweigh the benefits for the treatment of postmenopausal osteoporosis. The panel joined health authorities around the world in reviewing the drug’s safety after two recent studies showed slightly higher rates of cancer among patients taking calcitonin. The panel voted against continued use of the drug by a narrow majority, pointing out that it has not been found very effective in preventing bone fractures.
In today's Washington Post article "Calcium and Vitamin D findings show that caring for your bones can be compilicated," NOF's senior clinical director, Dr. Felicia Cosman helps clear up some of the confusion around the recent and conflicting research on calcium and vitamin D. She says: "It’s confusing, even for doctors. But there’s a common thread: None of the heart or kidney risks were associated with calcium from food."
CIRCA, the leading international buyer of fine jewelry, diamonds and watches, announced a new partnership with NOF at a Generations of Strength luncheon at the Friars Club in New York City on February 26. To kick-off the partnership, CIRCA’s Acting CEO Mary L. Forté presented NOF Executive Director and CEO Amy Porter with a check for $25,000, to support NOF’s mission.