image: This image shows the presentation of the IOF Linda Edwards Memorial Award presented by IOF CEO Judy Stenmark (left) and NOS Clinical and Operations Director Fizz Thompson (right) to the Hungarian Patient Society representative Klara Zalatnai (center). view more
Credit: IOF/Gilberto Lontro
The Hungarian Osteoporosis Prevention Society (HOPA) has been named winner of the 2015 IOF Linda Edwards Memorial Award. The prestigious grant was presented on the occasion of the IOF Worldwide Conference of Osteoporosis Patient Societies, held in Athens, Greece from September 11-13, 2015.
Valued at 20,000 Swiss Francs, the Grant is named in honour of the late Linda Edwards, an internationally respected pioneer of osteoporosis advocacy. The winning society is selected by an IOF jury. The society must be a full member of IOF's Committee of National Societies whose work exemplifies qualities that include 'thinking big', practical and effective projects, devoted staff, creativity, and scientific credibility.
"We are honoured to present this award to the Hungarian Osteoporosis Prevention Society in recognition of its long record of extraordinary work and in support of its new project 'Don't Fall, don't Break'. Like so many non-profit patient organizations worldwide, HOPA is led by dedicated volunteers who have shown great commitment to the cause of osteoporosis prevention and to the improved care of people suffering from bone, muscle and joint disorders," said Judy Stenmark, CEO, IOF.
The 'Don't Fall, Don't Break' project, which involves a study of 200 patients, aims to identify factors which increase the risk of falling. It has also aims to find effective strategies that help reduce falls risk while offering appropriate support and self-management advice for patients.
HOPA is a national umbrella organisation in Hungary which currently unites 21 member organizations with close to 2000 individual members across the country. The Association carries out many high-profile projects and programmes aimed at providing information about osteoporosis and its prevention and treatment to patients and the general public. It organizes regular events, awareness programmes around World Osteoporosis Day, civilian forums, and other programmes together with partner organizations. Through public events, its website http://www.obme.hu and its use of social media, the society has extensive outreach across the country.
HOPA President Klara Zalatnai stated, "We are very proud to be the recipients of the IOF Linda Edwards Memorial Award. This Award will help us further our mission to reduce the number of falls and osteoporotic fractures in the Hungarian population through the education of patients and those who may be at risk of future falls and fractures. It is wonderful recognition of our longstanding efforts and the exemplary dedication of our volunteers."
Previous winners of the IOF Linda Edwards Memorial Award include patient societies from Israel and Palestine (co-winners in 2013), Bulgaria (2011), India (2009), Greece (2007), Slovenia (2005), and Romania (2003).
The Worldwide Conference of Osteoporosis Patient Societies is supported by independent grants from Agnovos Healthcare, Amgen, California Prune Board (Europe) and MSD.
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Media contact
Charanjit (Chaz) Jagait, PhD
Communications Director, International Osteoporosis Foundation
Tel.: +41 22 994 01 02; Mob.: +41 79 874 52 08; Email: cjagait@iofbonehealth.org
About International Osteoporosis Foundation
The International Osteoporosis Foundation (IOF) is a not-for-profit, nongovernmental organization dedicated to the worldwide fight against osteoporosis and related musculoskeletal diseases. IOF's members - scientific researchers, patient, medical and research societies and industry representatives from around the world - share a common vision of a world without osteoporotic fractures. IOF, with headquarters in Switzerland, currently includes 232 member societies in 98 countries, regions and territories. Among its numerous programmes and activities, IOF mobilizes the global osteoporosis movement on World Osteoporosis Day, marked on October 20 every year. http://www.iofbonehealth.org; http://www.facebook.com/iofbonehealth; http://twitter.com/iofbonehealth; #IOFWWC15