Bone Growth Foundation

Dr Bruce Foster, Chairman of BGF, named as Senior South Australian of the Year 2012

For the past 30 years, as a specialist in paediatric orthopaedics, Dr Bruce Foster has devoted his medical career to understanding the structure and function of bone growth. He and his team developed new treatment strategies for bone deformities and skeletal diseases in children that currently have no cure. His special interest in leg lengthening and spinal deformities has seen him practice all around the world.

Currently Deputy Director of the Department of Orthopaedic Surgery at the Women’s and Children’s Hospital in Adelaide, Bruce operates outreach clinics in the Northern Territory, Kangaroo Island and at the Flinders Medical Centre.

Determined to find better, less painful ways to help straighten and lengthen the limbs of children affected by crippling growth problems, Bruce set up the Bone Growth Foundation in 1991 which funds research and treatment for a quarter of a million Australian children afflicted with bone impairments.

Bruce has been instrumental in the trialling of an innovative internal limb lengthening procedure – the Fitbone – and is one of the few surgeons in the world able to fit this device.

National finalist to be announced in Canberra on Australia Day Eve 2012.

23,000 Big W hearts beat again for the Bone Growth Foundation

For 6 weeks in September and October, Big W and over 20,000 of their incredibly generous customers once again supported the Bone Growth Foundation in the Big W Big Heart Campaign.  Customers were able to purchase and sign hearts which were then placed on the front windows of Big W stores throughout South Australia, and the Northern Territory.

$46,354 was raised – a wonderful effort on everyone’s behalf.  The Big W store at Parabanks sold the most tokens and was followed closely by the Big W Store at Cumberland Park.  Congratulations also to the Big W store at Port Augusta whose efforts raised an impressive $6000.

The continued support of Big W to the Bone Growth Foundation contributes enormously to research into bone health issues in Aussie kids.

ISIS NSW held its annual Bone Growth Foundation Golf Day.
On Monday 7 November

The day kicked off with a sunny and steamy start. Subcontractors, ISIS and the Bone Growth Foundation gathered together for a fun day of golf.

Throughout the day various activities were enjoyed by all: straightest and longest drives; chip in the barrel; beat the boss; nearest to the pin; trivia; and there was even time for some luxurious massages.

All participants were looked after with Cabana Bar cocktails, visits from the drink buggies, coffee and gelato, and the ISIS barbeque.

After drinks on the veranda, sponsors were treated to a three course meal and entertained by comedian Vince Sorrenti, followed by an auction

Dr David Little and Dr Bruce Foster introduced ISIS to six-year old Mia and her mother Kylie, who us their courage through Mia’s 21 operations in only three years. They showed ISIS and their partners how our funds are used to help this very worthy cause.

After the tallies were made, ISIS NSW raised $130,000: a very impressive effort.

Many thanks to Elyse Glenn, executive assistant, and all the ISIS NSW staff, who worked tirelessly to help make this event such a wonderful success and fundraiser for the BGF.

ISIS Adelaide charity Golf Day 2011
28th October, 2011

28 enthusiast teams turned up bright and early to the Royal Adelaide Golf Course on Friday in anticipation for the 8am shotgun start on one of Australia’s most prestigious golf courses. At stake was the ISIS Charity Golf Day Cup. The weather proved challenging (and too much for some teams) but still a fun day was had by all.

Congratulations to RTC Electrical Solutions on winning the ISIS cup and to the team from Channel 7 who finished second.

Whilst enjoying lunch in the dining room, guest speaker, former Australian Test Selector, Jamie Cox, provided a fascinating insight into Australian cricket. BGF Patron, John Fitzgerald also treated guests to an insight into Australian tennis. Thanks also to our MC, SBS commentator, David Basheer.

The auction, conducted by Mason Gray Strange director, Jamie Codling, saw people bidding on fantastic prizes donated by Adelaide Festival Centre, Intercontinental Adelaide, Gerard McCabe Jewellers, Harvey Norman and the Royal Adelaide Golf Club.

Thank you to all ISIS staff for their tremendous support and also to our sponsors - Paulett Wines, Coopers and Black Squid Design. $30,000 was raised on the day and this will be directed towards funding research into bone health issues throughout Australia.

PhD Graduation Ceremony
Tuesday, 27th September 2011

PhD students Rosa Chung, Chai Ming Fan and Kristen Georgiou all graduated together on Tuesday the 27th of September at a ceremony held at Bonython Hall. The date marked a proud day for the Bone Growth Foundation who assisted the students through their study with salary and infrastructure support.
The new graduates will continue to work alongside Cory Xian at the University of South Australia and conduct further research into bone health.

Congratulations!

Patient Story

Kyal Wimpenny

Kyal suffers from Osteogenesis Imperfecta (OI), a genetic disorder which is characterised by fragile bones that break easily.  It is also known as “Brittle Bone Disease”.  People with OI are born with this disorder and are affected by it throughout their lifetime. In addition to living with constant bone fractures, other symptoms of OI include muscle weakness, hearing loss, fatigue, curved bones, scoliosis, brittle teeth and short stature. There are many different types of OI, ranging in symptoms and severity. Kyal has OI Type I which is the most common, and makes him susceptible to bone fractures, have loose joints and also poor muscle tone.

Kyal has endured many painful operations and treatments at the Women’s and Children’s Hospital over the years.  To show his appreciation to Dr. Foster and the Bone Growth Foundation, and in conjunction with his Year 12 SACE studies, he is holding a number of barbeque fundraisers at his school, Salisbury High. The first of the barbeques was held on Friday the 19th of August and raised an impressive $280 for the Foundation.

A big thankyou to Kyal for his fantastic effort! Also, thankyou to Carol Harris, Harley Backer, Nicholas Burke and Blake Wooley for helping on the day.

The next BBQ dates are the 16th of September, and the 14th of October.

Count Charitable Foundation Donation
Wednesday 27th of July 2011

Count Financial is Australia's largest independently-owned network of financial planning/wealth accountants and advisers, comprising more than 340 firms Australia-wide.

Through the Count Charitable Foundation, Count Financial is able to give back to the community through charitable organisations, such as the Bone Growth Foundation, and help those who are less fortunate to achieve a better life.

At a Professional Day in July held at the Stamford Plaza, Adelaide, Dr Bruce Foster gave a short presentation about the Bone Growth Foundation and the groundbreaking research the Foundation funds throughout Australia, before being presented with a $20,000 cheque from Count CEO, Andrew Gale.

For further information please visit the Count Financial website

Run Melbourne
Sunday 17th July 2011

Run Melbourne, presented by The Age, is a community fitness event giving participants a chance to raise money for their nominated charity. Participants can choose between a half-marathon, a 10km or a 5km walk or run starting and finishing at Federation Square.

This year, Louise Young and her family chose the Bone Growth Foundation as their charity in support of Louise’s nephew Ben. Ben suffers from Perthes' Disease which is a childhood hip condition where the bone of the femoral head (ball of the hip joint) is damaged by a loss of blood supply. The damaged bone becomes softened and liable to collapse, resulting in progressive deformity of the hip joint. Most children with Perthes' disease eventually recover, but it can take anywhere from two to five years for the femoral head to regenerate. The cause is unknown and there is no cure, however treatments are available to encourage the femoral head to grow into a functional shape.

Louise raised a fantastic $510 for the Bone Growth Foundation.

ISIS Canberra charity Golf Day 2011
14th April, 2011

Our nation's capital is in the spotlight this week for raising $45,000 in their charity golf day. Exceeding all expectations, the event hosted 113 players—some were from the ISIS team, while the rest were a mix of subcontractors, clients and even included sporting legend Kerry O’Keeffe.

After a grey, wet and miserable start to the week—the sun came out—producing a gorgeous autumn day. The perfect day for a relaxing round of golf and a few drinks, then became the ideal night for a charity gala auction extravaganza. Items auctioned off included a signed Wallabies Jersey, a Callaway driver and a round of golf with PGA Tour member Brendan Jones and an Australian swimming cap signed by gold butterfly medallist Geoff Huegill.

After not much interest in the latex head gear—our own champion Sophie Pratt persuaded  (some might say heckled) into actually putting the cap. Her efforts raised a further $1,000 for the Bone Growth Foundation—well worth it—adding a bit of humour to go with the extra cash.  

Sophie could have become the entertainment if it wasn't for Kerry O’Keeffe. He not only entertained everyone throughout the day on course but also provided plenty of off course antics well into the night. Glory stories from the cricket days had the crowd roaring with laughter—the team would have him back to join them again.

The event wouldn't have been a success with all the hard work and support provided by our sponsors—thanks to everyone involved from the ISIS team in the lead up to the day. The event created a vibrant atmosphere that really brought the team together.

Tennis Reaches Out

Chairman Bruce Foster joined Fitbone recipient Bradley Bamford at the Australian Open in Melbourne to mark the $1 millionth dollar donated to the Bone Growth Foundation by the ISIS Group.

Check out the article from the Sunday Age, appearing on the 30th of January 2011.