January 11th 2007

Joanne Gallagher
Assistant Director, Nutrition
Dairy Farmers of Canada
Mississauga, Ontario

Dear Ms. Gallagher,

Osteoporosis Canada, a registered charity, is the only national organization serving people who have, or are at risk for, osteoporosis. The organization works to educate, empower and support individuals and communities in risk reduction and treatment of osteoporosis.

Osteoporosis Canada, in partnership with dedicated volunteers, divisions/chapters and a network of local groups across Canada is committed to providing the highest quality of services and education to help Canadians take care of their bone health.

Osteoporosis has been called a paediatric disease with geriatric consequences. Childhood and adolescence are the times when we build most of our bone density, and there are concerns that poor nutrition and lack of physical activity among today's youth could lead to an incidence of osteoporosis of epidemic proportions in the future. This is why we must educate young people about osteoporosis and the importance of proper diet and exercise.

As part of its ongoing work to reduce the risk of osteoporosis, Osteoporosis Canada endorses the Dairy Farmers of Canada's Power4Bones program and promotes the program through its chapters across Ontario. We strongly encourage grade 5 teachers to register their classes for this award-winning program. Power4Bones is an effective, innovative and age-appropriate teaching tool designed to improve bone health during a child's most critical bone-building period.

Sincerely,

Karen Ormerod, M.M.
President and CEO,
Osteoporosis Canada