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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
The Arizona Osteoporosis Coalition AND
Dr. Joy Schechtman TURN UP THE VOLUME ON SILENT DISEASE
Local organization encourages women to "Make Osteoporosis Matter";
takes osteoporosis education to new heights
(Phoenix, AZ) May 10, 2003 -The Arizona Osteoporosis
Coalition will host a special health education event on Saturday
May
10 from 9:00 AM to 1PM in the Louisa Kellam Center for Women's Health
at Del E. Webb Hospital, 14502 W. Meeker Blvd, Sun City. Dr. Schechtman
will kick off the program which features free osteoporosis screenings,
expert speakers, larger than life and interactive displays, and
demonstrations. The event is part of Make Osteoporosis Matter (MOM),
a nationwide educational program encouraging women to stay active,
understand the risk for, and help prevent fractures caused by postmenopausal
osteoporosis.
"This event is about giving information in a new way and truly
working with women to help them understand osteoporosis. To help
them see it, feel it, own it, and then, most importantly, to do
something about it," said Kathy Brewer, PT, coalition director.
"We believe you have to get creative about education for a
silent but serious disease like osteoporosis. It does not have to
be a natural part of aging."
About the Event
At the MOM event, women will have the opportunity to be screened
for osteoporosis and attend informational sessions to learn more
about the disease, get tips on staying active with proper exercise,
and discover proper diet techniques. Women will also be able to
speak with experts about the prevention and treatment of osteoporosis.
Food will be provided through out the morning and free beauty and
health products will be available. "We've worked closely with
the Alliance for Better Bone Health to ensure that women receive
the right information to help them take charge of their bone health,"
said Brewer. Reservations are required to attend this event; to
reserve space at this event, women can call 1-866-737-1858. To find
out more about the MOM program and events in Phoenix, women can
log onto www.helppreventfractures.com.
Local Osteoporosis Prevalence
Recent studies have shown that nearly 72 percent of the 5 million
women aged 65 years and older with osteoporosis have not received
a bone mineral density (BMD) test or treatment for
the disease. When left untreated, osteoporosis weakens bones, which
can lead to fractures. In the Arizona alone, osteoporosis affects
172,000 women and men.
About Make Osteoporosis Matter (MOM)
MOM is a nationwide educational program sponsored by the Arizona Osteoporosis
Coalition and the Alliance for Better Bone Health. The program is
designed to motivate women to make osteoporosis matter by giving them
clear direction on how to take charge of their bone health. As part
of the MOM program, women will be asked to take the "Healthy
Bone" Pledge. The pledge consists of three simples steps that
can help women protect themselves from the bone loss and fractures
that occur as a result of osteoporosis. Women will be asked to pledge
to:
Stay Active by exercising 3-4 times a week.
Know Their Risk and ask their doctor about tests that can detect
osteoporosis.
Help Prevent Fractures by taking calcium and asking their doctor
about medications like Actonel that can build bone mass and work
fast to prevent fractures in postmenopausal women.
For each completed pledge, the Arizona Osteoporosis Coalition will
receive one dollar from the Alliance for Better Bone Health (up
to $10,000) to help educate the women of Arizona about osteoporosis
and how to prevent and treat the disease.
An additional opportunity to learn about Osteoporosis, be screened
and take the Bone Health pledge will be available through 3 community
retail sites at these Albertson's/Osco locations:
- 6965 N. Hayden, Scottsdale: Wednesday 5/7 from 10am-4pm
- 325 S. Power, Mesa: Thursday 5/8 from 10am-4pm
- 14551 West Grand Ave., Surprise (across street from Del Webb
Hosp.) Friday 5/9 from 10am-4pm
PLEASE JOIN US! AND BRING A FRIEND!!!
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Download the M.O.M flier.
Click here (596 kb pdf ) |
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