When Karen’s doctor told her she had advanced osteoporosis – she was in shock. Karen was only 55 years old, active and in excellent health…except for the back pain she had been experiencing after a fall seven months earlier.
It’s never a good time to get a life-changing diagnosis, but being in the middle of a global pandemic when Karen received the news made it even more difficult. She was devastated.
I’ll never forget the phone call that changed my life forever.
___
Karen thought that if she had the bones of an 85-year-old now, what would the next 25 years of her life look like? She thought of her daughters, who at the time were 18 and 21, and her hopes of having grandchildren. Would she be able to be the hands-on grandmother she had dreamed of being when the time came? The images that raced through Karen’s mind were frightening.
The day after Karen was diagnosed, she came across Osteoporosis Canada’s website, and signed up for some online support groups. She like thousands of other Canadians, was able to easily access information to help her adjust to this life-changing news, including support groups and online resources, and she learned about treatment options, nutrition, exercise and more.
Luckily, I discovered Osteoporosis Canada.
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Since her diagnosis, Karen is always mindful about her daughters’ bone health. Her girls may be young adults, but they’re still in their “bone-building” years and Karen talks to them often about what she has learned from Osteoporosis Canada.
Karen has discovered how important it is for everyone to learn about their risk factors and take action to keep bones healthy. She focuses on exercise and building up her strength and is working on getting back to doing the things she loves, like hiking with her family. She is learning more about the best ways to get bone building nutrients like calcium and protein in her diet including taking a Vitamin D supplement daily.
Also important to Karen, was focusing on the emotional aspect of having this disease. She made it a priority to sign up for online support groups so she could connect with others.
The support I’ve received from Osteoporosis Canada, their support groups, and from other people with osteoporosis, has been a lifesaver. Having someone else share their experience with me just made me feel so much stronger – I immediately felt less alone and less isolated.
I didn’t have to figure this out all by myself.
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In the time since her diagnosis, Karen has learned that there are still so many misconceptions about osteoporosis – it’s not a “normal” part of aging and it doesn’t just affect “older women”.
Today, she is managing her osteoporosis and like other Canadians, she has accessed Osteoporosis Canada support groups and resources, learned about treatment options, and most importantly Karen has regained a feeling of control over her health.
Karen Noel
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Osteoporosis Canada’s Program Fund, which accounts for revenue and expenses related to education, advocacy and awareness, administration, and fundraising, had a year-end deficit of $69,574. The Program fund balance at fiscal year-end has a balance of $704,560.
The Reserve Fund, established to provide some mitigation against unforeseen circumstances involving a revenue shortfall or unanticipated expenses, had a fiscal year end balance of $1,316,681.
The Research Fund which provides the financial resources for scientific research projects selected by the Scientific Advisory Council of Osteoporosis Canada, ended the fiscal year with a balance of $1,964,401.
The Bequest Fund which is comprised of funds donated toward specific projects ended the fiscal year with a balance of $2,474.
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 continued invaluable contributions to the success of the organization especially during the challenges and the unknowns of the COVID-19 Pandemic.
Sincerely,
Celeste Munger
PROGRAM FUND REVENUES
*Ontario Ministry, Federal Government & Other Provincial funding
** GAMING, COMMUNITY GROUPS & INTEREST/DIVIDENDS
*Ontario Ministry, Federal Government & Other Provincial funding
** GAMING, COMMUNITY GROUPS & INTEREST/DIVIDENDS
PROGRAM FUND EXPENSES
Dr. Famida Jiwa
