(Washington, DC) - -The National Osteoporosis Foundation (NOF) doubled attendance at this year’s A Gift From Mothers To Daughters luncheon in New York City. The NOF also sold out of its Best Bones Forever charms for girls and nearly sold out of its Pearls of Strength bracelets. More charms and bracelets are available on the NOF website at www.nof.org.

 

The luncheon event honored two distinguished women committed to delivering the important message of disease prevention and optimal health to millions of Americans. These women are ABC News medical contributor and author Dr. Marie Savard, and broadcaster Paula Zahn.

 

Coming on the heels of New York Fashion Week and hosted by the National Osteoporosis Foundation, A Gift from Mothers to Daughters Luncheon was held at The Pierre Hotel on Thursday, September 24, 2009 from 11:30 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. The awards were presented at this special luncheon for New York City’s most prominent and fashionable mothers and daughters, and celebrated strong bones and style, which are important to women.

 

“We want to save a whole generation of women from the devastating effects of osteoporosis,” said Carol Saline, vice chair of A Gift from Mothers to Daughters and member of the NOF Board of Trustees. “Teaching our daughters about the importance of maintaining healthy, strong bones to prevent osteoporosis is a simple yet vital message we must share.”  Nearly 90 percent of adult bone mass is acquired by age 18 in girls and 20 in boys. Building strong bones during childhood and adolescence can help to prevent osteoporosis later in life.

 

Healthy bones are always in fashion and the luncheon will gather noted community and social leaders to share critical information about lifelong bone health, the risk of osteoporosis and how to prevent it. At the event, NOF bestowed its prestigious Generation Award to Dr. Savard and Zahn for their work in communicating the importance of leading a healthy lifestyle.

 

Designer Adrienne Landau’s fashions were showcased along with a high-end silent auction that included jewelry from Judith Ripka.

 

A Gift from Mothers to Daughters luncheon is a celebration of one of the most important gifts that generations of women have passed on to their families: the gift of knowledge about health – especially information about lifelong bone health and osteoporosis prevention, detection and treatment.

 

Osteoporosis and low bone mass affect more than 44 million Americans—2.8 million in New York alone. A woman’s risk of breaking her hip from osteoporosis is equal to the combined risk of breast, ovarian and uterine cancer. While osteoporosis is preventable and treatable, it continues to be under recognized, under diagnosed and under managed.

 

NOF thanks the host committee of this important event, including Sharon Marantz Walsh, Carmen Dell’Orefice, Carol Saline, Jane E. Brody, Margo Catsimatidis, Carol Higgins Clark, Mary Higgins Clark, Joni Lysett Nelson, Ivana Trump, Marlene Wallach, Betsy Baron, Prince Marco and Princess Ann Marie Borghese, Countess Nubia Braschi, Francesca Braschi-Gumina, Sheldon H. Cherry, M.D., Tony Cointreau, MacDella Cooper, Michael Covitt, Kathleen Giordano, Mirabai Holland, Adrienne Landau, Mrs. Ethel LeFrak, Peter Martino, Georgette Mosbacher, Paula A. Moynahan, M.D., Tina Radziwill, Jim Russo, Catherine Saxton, Charles B. Scarborough, Ellen Scarborough, Robert K. Sigal, M.D., Ethel S. Siris, M.D., Jonathan Slater, M.D. and Cynthia Tsai.

 

Celebrating 25 years of Standing Tall for You^®, the National Osteoporosis Foundation is the nation’s leading voluntary health organization solely dedicated to osteoporosis and bone health. Its mission is to prevent osteoporosis, to promote lifelong bone health, to help improve the lives of those affected by osteoporosis and related fractures, and to find a cure through programs of awareness, education, advocacy and research. For more information on osteoporosis and bone health, contact NOF online at www.nof.org  or by phone
 1-800-223-9994.