Category: OIF Events

Reflecting on 50 Years – A Letter from Gemma Geisman

Posted on by Delores Selivon
To prepare for the OIF’s 50th anniversary, OIF Founder Gemma Geisman wrote a beautiful letter reflecting on the OI Foundation’s accomplishments and activities since 1970. Her daughter, Cathy, shared this letter with the OI community in Gemma’s Corner. 
Gemma was creative, passionate, and a wonderful listener. She listened to learn about you, she listened to find out how to help you, and she listened because she cared about you.
 
Gemma’s Corner, created in memory of Gemma, encourages the OI community to keep sharing with each other, caring for each other, and providing support to one another.
 
For more information, or to share your story, please contact Jessica at jransome@oif.org.

What A Year!

Posted on by Delores Selivon

Dear Friend,

As we near the end of 2020, we are taking a moment to reflect on what has certainly been a historic year. We are thankful for the generosity of individuals like you that allows the OI Foundation to continue providing programs and services that benefit all members of the OI community. We have worked hard to pivot and expand our programs to meet the needs of the OI community during this global crisis and want to share a few of our accomplishments this year. Please click here to view the OIF’s list of accomplishments.

If you have not had the chance to remember us with a gift this time of year, please take a moment to do so at  www.oif.org/donate. Thank you again for your support!

Please join us for a Virtual Friendsgiving Celebration!

Posted on by Delores Selivon

You are invited to the OIF’s Virtual Friendsgiving Celebration!

For some, this holiday season may look a little different, but our incredible OI community reminds us that we are never alone. Mutual support is at the core of the OIF’s mission and we believe it is important now more than ever.

Please join us for an evening of fun and togetherness with live raffles, bingo, and warm conversation as we come together and give thanks. All are welcome to participate in this virtual event! Don’t forget to register in advance on Zoom to receive login information and to be entered into the live raffles.

CLICK HERE to register to attend OIF Friendsgiving! 

Share your recipe! Email your favorite Thanksgiving recipe to jransome@oif.org to be included in the OIF Friendsgiving Cookbook! All recipes will be shared with all attendees.

The Strong Bones Virtual Gala ONLINE AUCTION IS LIVE!

Posted on by Delores Selivon

The Strong Bones Virtual Gala Boston

ONLINE AUCTION IS LIVE!

Don’t miss your chance to win signed sports memorabilia, a catered BBQ dinner, private wine tastings, and so much more! In order to bid, make sure to create your Bidding for Good account prior to the event.

Proceeds from this event help the OI Foundation respond to more than 11,000 inquiries each year for medically verified information and support; produce new information resources for individuals and medical professionals; and fund research.

Now more than ever, we rely on supporters like yourself to ensure we can continue this important work.

Click Here to Start Bidding!

Please tune in on October 10 at 8:00pm EST for a special video presentation that will include personal messages from OI community members, a live raffle, door prizes, and social hour hosted by OIF Board of Directors Member, Christine Wyman Rossi, former Board of Directors member Dick Wyman, and the rest of their amazing host committee for the 4th annual Strong Bones Virtual Gala Boston!

With a new virtual platform, OI community members from across the world can sign on for a fun-filled evening to support the work of the OIF.

Click Here to Register for the FREE Event!

For more information or questions please contact Melissa Bonardi at MBonardi@oif.org or visit www.oif.org/StrongBonesBoston

Attend an OIF Virtual Gala!

Posted on by Delores Selivon

Fine Wines Strong Bones events help the OI Foundation raise funds that are necessary to respond to more than 11,000 inquiries each year for medically verified information and support; produce new information resources for individuals and medical professionals; and fund research. We rely on events such as these to continue our important work.

While we are sad we cannot be together in person this year, the health and wellness of our OI community members comes first. With a new virtual platform, OI community members from across the US can sign on for a fun-filled evening to support the work of the OI Foundation.

Strong Bones Virtual Gala Boston
October 10, 2020 | 8:00 – 9:00 PM EST

On October 10, 2020 the OI Foundation will host its first-ever virtual Fine Wines Strong Bones event hosted by Board of Directors member Christine Wyman Rossi, former Board of Directors member Dick Wyman, and the rest of their amazing host committee for the 4th annual Strong Bones Virtual Gala Boston!

This fun-filled evening will include an online auction, Zoom social hour, special video presentations, party packages from Sincere Cheer, and the opportunity to fund the mission of the OI Foundation!

Learn More!

Virtual Boots & Bling for Better Bones
November 7, 2020 | 7:00 – 8:00 PM CST

On November 7, 2020, dust off your favorite cowboy chic attire for the
Virtual Boots & Bling for Better Bones. All money raised goes directly to the OI Foundation to benefit the 50,000 men, women and children in the U.S. living with this rare genetic disorder.

This fun-filled evening will include an online auction, live performance from Weldon Henson, special video presentations, Goode Company BBQ, and opportunity to fund the mission of the OI Foundation!

Learn More!

For more information or questions please contact Melissa Bonardi at MBonardi@oif.org or visit www.OIF.org/Events.

OI Community Call: Mental Health during COVID-19

Posted on by Delores Selivon

On Thursday, September 3, 2020, Dr. Kara Ayers (Associate Director of the University of Cincinnati Center for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities) and Dr. Michelle Fynan (Online Instructor at LA Film School, Online Coach and Therapist) joined fellow OI community members on a video call to discuss mental health considerations during the COVID-19 pandemic.

It’s not too late to support your favorite Walk-n-Wheel participant!

Posted on by Delores Selivon

Thank you so much to everyone who participated in the first-ever Virtual Unbreakable Spirit® Walk-n-Wheel!

Across the United States, Canada, and even as far as Uganda, people came together virtually to support the OI Foundation and raise OI awareness. Together we raised over $60,000 to support the OIF’s mission to improve the quality of life for those living with OI through research, education, awareness, and mutual support. Thank you to our wonderful co-chairs Mark Birdwhistell, Stephanie Greenwood, and Dr. Maegen Wallace for making this event such a success. To watch the recorded Walk-n-Wheel Zoom call, please visit the OIF Facebook page.

It’s not too late to make a donation to the Virtual Walk-n-Wheel! Click here to make a donation to in honor of your favorite participant.

We can’t wait to walk and wheel with you in person next year at the OIF National Conference in Omaha, NE on July 8, 2021!

Virtual OIF Walk-n-Wheel – Register for the LIVE Zoom Call!

Posted on by Delores Selivon
Don’t forget to register for the live Zoom call!
 
Join the OIF staff, Walk-n-Wheel Co-chairs (Mark Birdwhistell, Stephanie Greenwood, and Dr. Maegen Wallace), and OI community members live on Zoom from 7:00-8:00pm ET to participate in the Virtual OIF Walk-n-Wheel! Walk around your neighborhood or living room to raise OI awareness and support the mission of the OI Foundation.
 
 
TAG US! Tag us on social media with #OIFwalknwheel to show us where you are walking and wheeling!

Happy National Iced Tea Day!

Posted on by Delores Selivon

 

Today is National Iced Tea Day! If you have yet to participate in Bone China Tea this year, consider hosting a Bone China ICED Tea event! The OIF’s NEW Bone China Iced Tea event will be available all summer long.

Invite your friends and family to sip on tea, soak up the sun, and support the mission of the OI Foundation. Fundraisers like Bone China Tea directly support the mission of the OIF to improve the quality of life for those living with osteogenesis imperfecta through research, education, awareness and mutual support. Now more than ever, we rely on community members like yourself to help us achieve our mission.

To request invitations, contact Christina at cteufert@oif.org. For more information visit, www.oif.org/campaign/bonechinatea. Summer campaign available until August 2020. #NationalIcedTeaDay