The Osteoporosis and Bone Metabolism Fund

Osteoporosis is a disease that makes bones fragile and more likely to break. It affects one in every three women and one in every twelve men over the age of 50 in the UK. It can affect any bone in the skeleton, but the most common fractures are to the spine, hips and forearms.

You can help find new ways to detect and treat osteoporosis more effectively by making a donation to the Osteoporosis and Bone Metabolism Fund. Your contribution will help buy equipment and support research activities in the Osteoporosis Screening and Research Unit, which opened in 1988 as the first unit to offer screening and is one of the leading centres for research in the UK today.

How the Osteoporosis and Bone Metabolism Fund has helped so far
The Fund supports research, nursing and other healthcare professionals, all of whom are essential for a successful screening service and research programme, as well as for optimum patient care. The Fund has facilitated:

• The purchase of bone density scanners to identify osteoporosis;
• The evaluation of new treatments for osteoporosis;
• Extensive research into osteoporosis with many health science graduates completing postdoctoral studies;
• The costs of a research nurse who developed an education course for patients including physiotherapy and nutrition sessions;
• Funding for additional doctors to participate in the Bone Metabolism Clinic;
• The evaluation of new equipment such as ultrasound to assess bone density.

How can you help?
Donations to the Osteoporosis and Bone Metabolism Fund have very practical effects:

• £10 will provide a month's supply of patient information leaflets;
• £100 will provide laboratory supplies for 3 months of research;
• £3,000 will run the patient education programme for a year.

To make a donation or find out how your legacy could help, please use the secure donation form, or contact the Fundraising Team on Tel: 020 7188 7744, e-mail: Fundraising Team.