150 Project Healthy Bones peer leaders across the state met at the Livingston Senior/Community Center on Thursday, August 24, to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the program and to honor its leaders for their dedication and service.
Claire Gill, the CEO of the Bone Health and Osteoporosis Foundation, came from Washington, D.C. to congratulate the leaders and thank Sally Fullman, Livingston’s Healthy Bones lead coordinator, for her work in the program and as a board member of the Bone Health and Osteoporosis Foundation.
Gill thanked Project Healthy Bones for its close relationship with the foundation, and for serving as a model and inspiration to other states on how to improve bone health in the United States. When asked if osteoporosis could be cured in our lifetime, she said that the medical community thinks it will not, but that osteoporotic fractures could be prevented by raising awareness in people of all ages of the importance of bones.
Speakers from Rutgers, Kessler, Fitness Recovery, and community health programs gave tips on how to lead healthy lives.
Fullman discussed how our bones serve a protective role, and Lori Morell from Parker Health spoke about Healthy Bones as a holistic program that nourishes the mind and heart, as well as the body or bones, and urged peer leaders to continue their service.
One of the highlights of the program was a presentation by Girl Scouts of Hillsborough, who led the group in an “Osteo-a-go-go” dance and spoke about loving and protecting bones through education.
Leaders were recognized for their years of service, the number of classes they lead each week, and the communities that they work in.
Dennis McGowan from the Division of Aging Services closed the meeting by pledging his support and thanking everyone for their commitment to a bone healthy future Healthy Bones classes are available in many communities in New Jersey. For more information contact [email protected].
with pic: Healthy Bones A 25th anniversary celebration of Project Healthy Bones was held last week at the Livingston Senior/Community Center.
