In November 2024, Brittle Bone Society (BBS) participated in the BBC Lifeline Appeal, which featured a 10-minute film broadcasted on BBC1 and BBC2 to raise awareness of Osteogenesis Imperfecta (OI) and the work of the BBS. This was an opportunity to draw the nation’s attention to OI and elevate the support for the vital work of the BBS. We would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone who has made this appeal possible.
We are proud to announce that the appeal raised an incredible total of £52,800.25!
Firstly, we would like to thank Brian Cox, who kindly presented our Lifeline Appeal. Brian amplified our appeal, giving his time to promote the mission of the BBS and increase awareness of OI. Thank you, Brian, your support was incredible in highlighting the work we do for the OI community.
To the faces of our Lifeline Campaign, Amna, the Edneys and Monique, we thank you all whole heartedly for sharing your stories. You have played a pivotal role in boosting our Lifeline Appeal and raising the profile of OI. You can read their stories below.
We would also like to send our gratitude to the BBC for giving us the opportunity to participate in the Lifeline Appeal. It has been incredible to have the platform to show the nation the important work of the BBS and to spread awareness of the rare condition of OI. Thank you to the staff at the BBC who worked on the appeal and brought our campaign to life.
Thank you to everyone who supported and shared our social media posts, thanks to you our Facebook posts reached over nine thousand people and our Instagram posts reached over two thousand. Our website also saw an increase, with nearly 500 hits on the day the appeal broadcasted!
Finally, a massive thank you to everyone who supported our appeal. From sharing our social media posts to tuning into the broadcast, we are so grateful for the support. We can continue to support people who live with OI, through advocacy, research, resources, equipment and more.
If you would like to watch the appeal film, click here.
Max and his family
At age 1, Max was diagnosed with a mild form of Osteogenesis Imperfecta, a condition his parents, Leanne and Steve, had never heard of. They were suddenly thrust into a very new world not knowing what to expect for their son’s future.
Steve recalls his first phone call with the BBS as a very welcoming conversation where they were welcomed into a new family and given just the right amount of information. He says that the sense of being connected, informed and educated is just invaluable.
Max is now 12 and has never let his condition hinder him despite the pain he suffers on a daily basis and the endless hospital visits he needs for treatment.
Max loves attending Brittle Bone Society Events where he can talk to other children who understand what he is going through. He also really appreciates receiving the Hospital Kids packs which are full of goodies for when he goes into hospital.
Amna
Amna is 21 and lives with a severe form of OI. As a child Amna felt very alone and struggled to keep friends, largely due to having to spend long periods at a time in hospital. She also recalls being left on her own in the playground as other children didn’t understand her and she couldn’t participate in all the activities they did.
As she has grown up, she has really come to value the support of the Brittle Bone Society.
Amna says she was “blown away” when she attended the BBS OI Can Outdoor Event and was amazed by all the exciting things wheelchair users could do. She never thought she could participate in such things as cycling, zip wiring, archery etc., stating that the weekend was beyond her wildest dreams.
Amna and her family have received various support over the years from equipment and support to help them attend our events.
Monique
Living with severe OI, Monique is a model, wheelchair dancer, and advocate who is a great role model in the OI community.
Monique has received numerous wheelchairs from the BBS over the years, an essential resource that enables her to take control of her mobility and explore the world around her. OI can make walking and daily movement incredibly painful or risky, or for some they are just not able to walk – but with the right wheelchair, people living with OI can travel safely and independently. Thus, enabling a greater quality of life, allowing for easier navigation in daily activities while minimising the risk of fractures.
Monique says that without the right chair she wouldn’t be able to hold down a job, wouldn’t be able to do normal daily tasks such as shopping, travelling or just being able to make a coffee. If it weren’t for the support from the BBS, she would not be able to afford a specialised chair to suit her needs.