November 2002

Osteoporosis Society of Canada celebrates 20th anniversary!

On June 17, 1982, the Osteoporosis Society of Canada was incorporated by the federal government and became the first national osteoporosis organization in the world! The National Osteoporosis Foundation in the U.S. came later, as did the British and European organizations. Since that time the Society has established, and maintained, a leadership role in the international osteoporosis community.

In 1982 Britain was at war in the Falklands, Chariots of Fire beat out On Golden Pond for the best picture Oscar and it would still be another two years before physicians would learn that estrogen could be used to prevent and treat osteoporosis in post menopausal women!

A lot has happened in the last twenty years, in the wider world and in the world of osteoporosis. There are now a number of treatment options for people with osteoporosis. Physicians and the public are much better informed about the disease. The Osteoporosis Society of Canada can take a great deal of credit for increasing awareness through its educational efforts.

Throughout its history the Society has been an ardent supporter of individuals with osteoporosis and those at risk. From a small group in Toronto, the organization has grown from sea to sea - to become a national organization in every sense with a Division, Chapters and osteoporosis groups in most provinces. The Society helps people face the challenges of living with osteoporosis, supports research, educates health care professionals and the public and advocates for everything from increased access to osteoporosis drugs and diagnostic facilities to improved food labeling.

We can be proud of what we have accomplished, and this year we'll highlight the contributions of a few of the hundreds of individuals, both volunteers and staff, who have aided in our progress. In the next four issues of Osteoblast, we'll bring you a flavour of our history and a glimpse of the progress to come.

Here are few highlights of the first twenty years of the Osteoporosis Society of Canada:

•1982. First osteoporosis symposium held at St. Lawrence Hall, Toronto. Lindy Fraser of Ottawa invited to speak.
•1982. Osteoporosis Society of Canada incorporated by the federal government on June 17.
•1983. Full-time Executive Director, Elizabeth Mason, appointed in February.
•1983. Ostop BC begins meetings.
•1986. Speakers' Bureau Program introduced.
•1986. Manitoba Chapter founded by Dr. James Duke and Donald Campbell.
•1987. Public symposia and workshops held by all chapters and branches.
•1987. Consensus panel meets to establish OSC position on estrogen.
•1988. First Bulletin for Physicians published and distributed to medical professionals across Canada.
•1988. Elizabeth Mason retires. Kathryn Robins appointed Executive Director.
•1992. First Ontario branch formed: Peterborough.
•1993. Creation of toll-free bilingual information line.
•1993. Joyce Gordon named new Executive Director.
•1993. Lindy Fraser Memorial Award established and awarded to Dr. Joan Harrison.
•1996. Held the first OSC Scientific Symposium for 250 physicians.
•1996. Canada's Osteoporosis Walk held in 75 communities.
•1996. Eight consensus papers on the prevention and treatment of osteoporosis and primary care guidelines for the diagnosis and management of osteoporosis were published in the Canadian Medical Association Journal.
•1996. "The Silent Thief" video produced in English and French and launched across Canada.
•1997. Bone China Tea held in over 90 communities.
•1998. Executive Director and two Scientific Advisory Council members take part in scientific osteoporosis exchange with China.
•1999. Society hosted the World Wide Conference for Osteoporosis Patient Societies in Toronto.
•1999. Diagnostic position statements published in Osteoporosis Update, the OSC magazine for physicians.
•1999. Consumer research, news release and Homemakers supplement launched.
•2000. Advocacy efforts in Ontario result in two more drugs (limited use) added to the provincial formulary.
•2000. Nearly 300,000 people visited the Society's web site.
•2001. New evidence-based clinical guidelines near completion.