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IMPACT REPORT 2017

“I thought my active lifestyle would insulate me from such things.”

Colm

MEET JOANNE & COLM

When Joanne Kelly was diagnosed with osteoporosis in 2007, she wished that she had known more about the disease so that she could have protected her bones. A healthcare professional herself, she exercised, ate well, and considered herself to be a healthy individual.

When her husband Colm was diagnosed later that year, they were shocked. A triathlete for 20 years, Colm did not fit the stereotype for an osteoporosis patient. He thought he was simply suffering from routine running injuries, and that his fitness and athleticism would help prevent diseases like osteoporosis.

Colm and Joanne are part of separate demographics, have different stories, and varied experiences that led to their diagnoses. What remains the same, however, is their wish to have known more about osteoporosis, so that they could have better protected themselves. For Joanne, this would have been knowing that diet and lifestyle alone would not ward off osteoporosis. For Colm, an understanding that osteoporosis can affect more than just the elderly women of the world would have made a difference.

Osteoporosis Canada has provided Colm, Joanne and thousands of other Canadians with information about the importance of bone health for everyone. The organization supports those already diagnosed, and works to improve their quality of life, and pursues research and treatment breakthroughs that keep more people healthy.

I don’t believe I had heard about osteoporosis when I was growing up.

___

Joanne

My grandma, who lived with osteoporosis, helped raise me. We had such a special connection and Sarah got to know her over many Sunday family dinners. We wanted to use this milestone in our life as a way to honour her while making an impact on other Canadians who live with osteoporosis every day. The place card in each guest’s napkin at our reception let guests know about this special decision and sparked wonderful discussions about my grandmother. It was a beautiful way to pay tribute to her.”

________

Kyle and his new wife Sarah made a donation to Osteoporosis Canada in lieu of favours for guests at their July wedding.

At least 1 IN 3 WOMEN and 1 IN 5 MEN will suffer from an osteoporotic fracture during their lifetime

Osteoporosis: “a pediatric disease with geriatric consequences”. Peak bone mass is achieved at an early age (16-20 in young women and 20-25 in young men), so building strong bones during childhood and adolescence can be the best defense against developing osteoporosis later in life.

2 MILLION CANADIANS are affected by osteoporosis

OVER 80% OF ALL FRACTURES in people 50+ are caused by osteoporosis

ONE IN THREE HIP FRACTURE PATIENTS will re-fracture within one year

Women and men alike BEGIN TO LOSE BONE IN THEIR MID-30S

28% OF WOMEN and 37% OF MEN who suffer a hip fracture will die within one year

Our Reach

F2017

WEBSITE

English

French

478,834 

Web Users

3,582,335 

Page Visits

17% increase

185,878 

Web Users

more than 11% increase

428,423 

Page Visits


FACEBOOK

951 

New Page Fans

More than 4x last year


1,995 

Post Likes

up 1,295 from last year

705,724 

Post Impressions

99% increase


351 

Post Shares

7,802 

Engaged

More than 2.5x last year


TWITTER

254,384 

Tweet Impressions

3,049

Engagements

63% increase from last year

767 

Likes

650 

Retweets

Financial Highlights

YEAR ENDED MARCH 31, 2017

During the past fiscal year, Osteoporosis Canada had Program Fund revenues of $7,076,945. The Program Fund financial operations yielded a surplus of $50,044. The Program Fund balance at fiscal yearend is $679,760.

The Reserve fund, excess of revenues over expenditures of $70,017, ended the fiscal year at $848,689.

The Designated Bequest fund, which represents funds donated for specific activities specified by the donor, ended the fiscal year with a balance of $22,067.

The Research Fund, which is administered by the Finance and Audit Committee of the Board of Directors and is financially segregated from the Program Fund, ended the fiscal year with a balance of $1,724,217. The Research Fund provides the financial resources for scientific research projects selected by the Scientific Advisory Council of Osteoporosis Canada.

On behalf of the Board of Directors, I would like to take this opportunity to thank the volunteers, staff and management of Osteoporosis Canada for their invaluable contribution to the success of our organization.

Ian MacNair
Treasurer, National Board of Directors

THANK YOU

Dear Friends,

Through education, advocacy and the strategic investment in research this past year; Osteoporosis Canada has increased its reach to individuals, families, communities and health care providers digitally and in-person about the prevention and management of osteoporosis and related fractures.

As Osteoporosis Canada celebrates its 35th anniversary we are proud of the work that has been done as we lead change, here and around the globe. But there is still more work to be done.

With the continued generosity of committed donors, many more milestones are within our grasp as we work to achieve our vision of a Canada without osteoporotic fractures.

Together, we will help make Canadians unbreakable.

Thank you,

Dr. Famida Jiwa
President and CEO, Osteoporosis Canada

BGen (Ret’d) Hilary Jaeger
Chair, National Board of Directors

© Osteoporosis Canada, 2024
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