3rd Annual Wine & Cheese Benefit at National Press Club Supports those Affected by Osteogenesis Imperfecta (OI) 5/13/2003
From: Bill Bradner of the Osteogenesis Imperfecta Foundation, 301-947-0083 or bbradner@oif.org; http://www.oif.org WASHINGTON, May 13 -- The 3rd Annual "Fine Wines-Strong Bones" wine and cheese benefit will directly impact the lives of persons affected by osteogenesis imperfecta (OI), by raising community awareness of the disorder and financial support for the OI Foundation, the only national voluntary health organization dedicated to improving the lives of people with OI through information, support and research into treatments and a cure. Donations raised through the event will fund the information and support services provided by the Foundation free of charge to the estimated 50,000 people in the U.S. affected by OI. OI is a genetic disorder, characterized by bones that are brittle and break easily, often from little or no apparent cause. Unlike osteoporosis, OI affects people from birth and throughout their entire lifetime. When a baby is born with OI, his or her parents often struggle to handle a child in constant pain. Diapering, dressing, or even the simple act of hugging the child can cause a fracture. "Regardless of how severely a person is affected with the disorder, what every parent or person with OI needs is information, support, and research to find treatments and a cure," according to Heller An Shapiro, Executive Director of the Gaithersburg-based Osteogenesis Imperfecta Foundation. The OI Foundation answers more than 600 inquiries about OI each month, providing personal, individualized responses that include a wide array of resources including fact sheets, books, cassettes, videos, referrals to support groups and OI clinics and one-on-one support from trained resource specialists. "There's simply no better place for people affected by OI to gain information, make new friends in the OI community, and realize their full potential," according to Shapiro. "People with OI survive a lifetime of surgeries and pain, fueled by hope for a better future," she continued. "Fine Wines-Strong Bones support keeps that hope alive by enabling us to provide the information and support people with OI need to live rich, full lives." The Fine Wines-Strong Bones event raises over $20,000 annually to support the OI Foundation's information resource and support programs. The event features a silent auction with items ranging from signed sports memorabilia to three-day vacations in resort areas throughout the country. This year, event organizers hope to reach a goal of $30,000. The public is invited to attend; a limited number of tickets are still available online at http://www.oif.org, or by calling the OI Foundation at 301-947-0083. Note to Editors: Members of the print and electronic media are invited to attend the event. All interested media must RSVP by calling 301-947-0083 or writing to bbradner@oif.org to be placed on the guest list. The Osteogenesis Imperfecta Foundation is a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization, and is the only voluntary national health organization dedicated to helping people cope with the problems associated with osteogenesis imperfecta. The Foundation's mission is to improve the quality of life for people affected by OI through research to find treatments and a cure, education, awareness, and mutual support. For more information about the Foundation or its programs, visit http://www.oif.org, write to bonelink@oif.org, or call 301-947-0083. Wine & cheese party benefits those affected by "brittle bones." For General Release on/after May 1, 2003 | |