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24-Hour OI Blogathon
Starts at 8 a.m. CDT on Saturday, Sept. 30
Ends at 8 a.m. CDT on Sunday, Oct. 1

Thank you for your interest in the Osteogenesis Imperfecta (OI) Foundation's first-ever blog-a-thon. This event is the idea of volunteer Joe Schmidt in Omaha, NE. His cousin's two-year-old son lives with OI.

During the 24 hours of this event, Joe will add new postings related to osteogenesis imperfecta every 30 minutes. You can view this blog by visiting www.joeschmidt.com/blogathon.

Joe would like to publish stories submitted by you, the OI community, on how OI has affected your life. There is no limit on how long or short your story can be. You can submit your stories to joe.schmidt@gmail.com at any time before or during this event.

Osteogenesis imperfecta (OI) is a genetic disorder characterized by bones that break easily, often from little or no apparent cause. Rolling over in bed or sneezing can cause a fracture. There is no cure for OI yet. Treatment focuses on minimizing fractures, and maximizing mobility and general health.

OI affects an estimated 20,000 - 50,000 people in the United States. It is variable, ranging from mild to severe. In addition to frequent fractures, other symptoms can include loss of hearing, brittle teeth, or respiratory difficulties.

Read below to learn in Joe's own words what this event is about and why he has organized it. Your contribution to this event will help us to fund research that will lead to better care for people with osteogenesis imperfecta, as well as to respond to more than 7,000 requests for information and support during the coming year.

To make your gift to the OI Foundation, simply click on the link next to the donation thermometer below. For every $5 contributed by 5 p.m. EDT on Monday, Oct. 2, you will receive one entry into the drawing for the iPod Nano. The iPod Nano was contributed by Cory Reinert at insight.com.

A message from organizer Joe Schmidt . . .

Introduction

Hello. My name is Joe Schmidt and I run a weblog (blog for short) on the internet called JoeSchmidt.com. I will be conducting a blogathon to raise money for OI on September 30, 2006. For those not familiar with a blogathon it basically is an event held by bloggers to raise money for a specific charity. During the blogathon, I will update my weblog twice an hour for a 24-hour time period and will be accepting donations through the OI Foundation's website. People will be given the opportunity to pledge money for every post I make, make a general donation in support of the blogathon for OI, or buy a sponsorship, which will get you a link to a website of your choosing displayed on my site during the blogathon.

Why am I doing this?

My cousin's son was diagnosed before birth with OI over two years ago. Before that time, I, like many people, had no idea what OI was. I thought this was a good opportunity to not only raise funds for the OI foundation, but more importantly raise to awareness of OI.

So how can you help?

Contribute your stories - With my posts during the blogathon, I would like to publish stories submitted by you, the OI community, on how OI has affected your life. This will help others who are not familiar with OI to relate on more personal level with how those living with this genetic brittle bone disorder and their loved ones are affected. I will place no limit on how long or short of a story you can submit; I just want you give you the chance to convey your story to others. Please send your stories to my email address, joe.schmidt@gmail.com.

Spread the word - In order for the blogathon to be a success, we need to let as many people know about the event as possible. Pass this email on to friends, neighbors, co-workers and encourage them to get involved, learn more about OI, and hopefully during the process, also contribute monetarily.

OI Blogathon 2006

Achieved:	$825.00
Goal:	$1,000.00
click here to support us

Fund Raising - During the blogathon, it is my hope in order to pull in more people from outside the OI community to hold a raffle. People will be encouraged to visit the www.oif.org website and buy raffle tickets for prizes to be given away during the event. I have been in the process of contacting companies to see if they would like to donate items like laptops, PDAs, iPods, or other highly sought after consumer electronic devices. If you or the company you work for would be interested in donating such a product to be raffled off during the blogathon, please contact me. Your donation would be greatly appreciated and I would feature a banner listing you or your company as a sponsor of the blogathon.

Hopefully this event will be successful enough to merit making the blogathon an annual event.

In closing, I would like to thank you so very much for taking the time to learn more about the blogathon. I will be updating my website with information as the date of the blogathon nears, you can learn more by going to www.joeschmidt.com/blogathon.

Joe Schmidt