The 2006 JoeSchmidt.com Blogathon - Blogging for OI

Posted on September 06, 2006 at 01:37 AM

I mentioned a few weeks ago my intentions on holding a blogathon in support of a very special charity and that I would make an announcement in the upcoming weeks revealing the charity I have chosen. That charity is the Osteogenesis Imperfecta Foundation.

Osteogenesis Imperfecta, more commonly known as OI, is a genetic disorder which affects approximately 20,000-50,000 Americans. OI is a disease that instructs the body to either make little collagen or poor quality collagen resulting in brittle bones. There are four different types of OI ranging in severity. It is very common for those with OI to fracture many bones over their lifetime, some occurring within the womb before birth. It is even possible that one may have a moderate form OI and not even know it.

Since OI is one of the lesser known genetic diseases out there, I thought I would do my part and try to spread awareness and raise money in support of the OI Foundation, and the blogathon is the vehicle I've chosen to do this.

Two years ago my cousin's son was born with OI. Up until then I had no idea such a thing even existed, which I am guessing is the same thing you might be thinking right now. When I heard the news that their son had OI my reaction was Osteo-what? Two plus years later I am much more familiar with what OI is and what can be done to help those with the disease. So hopefully by holding this blogathon I will help make the words Osteogenesis Imperfecta a little less imposing and educate as many people as possible about it in the process.

I've asked those within the OI community to send me their stories, either about themselves, a friend, or a family member who has OI and how it affects their lives. I've already received quite a few stories, so if OI has affected your life, please send me your story and I will post it on this blog during the blogathon. Don't worry if it is really short or really long, any contribution you can make will go a long way. Send your stories to me at joe.schmidt@gmail.com

As of now there is no known cure for OI, but through education, physical/occupational therapy, and surgery those with OI have learned to lead a productive life. Money raised by the OI foundation goes to education and support of those with OI along with research grants given to scientists who are trying to find a cure for this debilitating disease.

So feel free to stop by on September 30th to read up on OI and possibly make a donation. The OI foundation will soon have a donation page on their web site where you can give, and all donations will be tax deductible.

I also have a few ideas on the burner for trying to raise as much money for OI as possible, so if you are in the giving mood and would like to make a sizeable donation, or if you have something else in mind that would help out the blogathon, send me an email at joe.schmidt@gmail.com

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