The Osteoporosis Walk Foundation Annual Walk/Run for Stronger Bones

East side rheumatologist, David R. Mandel, M.D., did not realize how fast the osteoporosis walk he started in 1994 would grow. In Dr. Mandel’s on-going effort to inform the public about the warning signs, prevention, and treatment of what is known as this “silent disease,” he began the event in 1994 with a simple walk down Wilson Mills Road. The next year, it grew to not only a walk but a mini-health fair.

The event, which has attracted more than 5,000 people in the past 15 years, has taken place in May during National Osteoporosis Month.

In 1998, the event moved to the Ursuline College campus in Pepper Pike, an east-side suburb of Cleveland. In an effort to attract more people from the west side of town as well as Cleveland and Akron, the event expanded in 2000 in Independence at the Holiday Inn on Rockside Road. In 2005, the event moved to the City of Independence Civic Center and Park. In 2010, the event continues to expand and is back at the Holiday Inn in Independence.

In addition to Dr. Mandel’s efforts, a non-profit foundation was formed called the Osteoporosis Walk Foundation with a board of seven community leaders. The event is planned by a committee of more than 30 volunteers and doctors.

The event includes not only a walk, but a 5K run, a health fair, bone density screenings, nutritional seminars, exercise, and healthy cooking demonstrations and other local chefs. Educational workshops given by Northeast Ohio’s leading doctors in the area of osteoporosis include topics on nutrition and exercise, menopause, and bone building/treatment options. A new Strong Bones Kids Activity Area was also popular at the 2002 event and has continued ever since. Today it is called the Dazzling Calcium Carnival and is planned by local student organizations. Kids and adults are always able to get their “Got Milk” milk mustache photos and participate in educational games. An Ask the Doctor booth is also popular, as many doctors (family doctors, OB/GYN, rheumatologists, endocrinologist) talk one-on-one with participants about their health-related questions. In 2004, the foundation offered a one-hour credited course on osteoporosis for healthcare professionals.

The Osteoporosis Walk Foundation was pleased to have Nicole Brink, Mrs. America/Mrs. World 2002 as the honorary chairperson and keynote speaker of the 2002 Walk For Stronger Bones. The foundation also has had Mrs. Ohio Carrie Layne in 2005. In 2003 and 2004, honorary co-chairs were Kim Wheeler, WKYC TV3 anchor and parenting reporter and Kim Scott, professional broadcaster and fitness professional. The past several years, Kim Wheeler and Nancy Alden from soft rock 102.1 FM WDOK have been the co-chairs. This year, professional broadcaster and personal trainer Kim Scott joins Nancy and Kim as a co-chair.

The foundation also developed its first website in 2002: www.walkforstrongerbones.com. Hundreds of people visit the site each year, which provides event information, osteoporosis information, registration, and sponsor links.

The foundation also began a first-ever teen advisory board. Eight teenagers from a local high school reached out to the younger audience throughout the year with our message of starting early with a healthy, calcium-enriched diet and lifestyle. They also assisted with the event. For the past several years, the Girl Scouts of Northeast Ohio have embraced this event as a community service project and event for both mothers and daughters to attend.

A medical advisory board is being formed, to encourage more doctors in Northeast Ohio to participate in not only our event, but year-round discussions on osteoporosis awareness and education. There will be more than 10 doctors on the advisory board and hopefully even more at the event this year.

The foundation also has added a “fashion” element to its health fair. Partnering with a local Dress Barn clothing store, the foundation has a booth at the health fair dedicated to helping women who have osteoporosis with fashion choices. We have actual models who suffer from osteoporosis wearing some of the clothing that is easy to put on and comfortable to wear.

Mascots were always in abundance at the event from the Cavs Moondog to Ronald McDonald, Hometown Buffet Bee, Geauga Lake’s Snoopy, to many others.

The foundation looks forward to expanding its efforts in increasing awareness of the prevention and treatment of osteoporosis throughout the year with offering community forums and events to reach the general public, and one-on-one meetings with doctors to find ways to work together to spread our message in Northeast Ohio.

A new partnership with the Cleveland Clinic’s Department of Women’s Health and the Speaking of Women’s Health national non-profit foundation has been formed for the 15th anniversary event on Saturday, May 15, 2010. This event has become very established, well known, and most importantly, very valuable in educating women of all ages about osteoporosis right here in Northeast Ohio and we look forward to the 2010 event being the best one yet.

Osteoporosis Walk Foundation Board of Trustees 2009-2010:

Founder: David R. Mandel, M.D.
Members: Chuck Boulware, Amy Coleman, Joe Jurczyk, Angelo A. Licata, M.D., Carol Sedlak, Paulette Suchan
  Executive Director: Charlene Paparizos