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Event raises funds for research, orthopaedic education and training
COPENHAGEN— A record number of runners and walkers participated in EFORT’s third annual charity 5K Run/2.5 Walk on Friday morning here. The event, which started at Tiøeren, Amager Standpark, was organized by the Danish Orthopaedic Society and benefited the EFORT Foundation.
The EFORT Foundation is an independent, non-profit organization that was established by EFORT in 2009. The goal of the foundation is to foster knowledge and skills in the management of musculoskeletal diseases and injuries in an effort to help raise the standard of clinical care and improve patients’ lives. Karl-Göran Thorngren, MD, PhD, chair of the EFORT Foundation and EFORT immediate past president, said the foundation supports young and active orthopaedic fellows in their training and exchange of knowledge by awarding visiting fellowships.
“Because our specialty is so practical, there is a need to see different procedures, which is why the visiting fellowships are of great interest,” Thorngren said.
In 2010, the foundation awarded grants for 40 visiting fellowships throughout Europe. The fellowships can last either 4 weeks to 6 weeks or 2 months to 3 months, depending on the grant awarded, and are currently sponsored by Zimmer and Ceramtec.
Thorngren said he hopes more companies support the EFORT Foundation in the future so it can expand its educational program and award grants to applicants from South America and Asia. Additionally, the foundation aims to increase its public awareness campaign in conjunction with the World Health Organization’s Decade of Action for Road Safety 2011-2020.
The co-charity for the run/walk was the Solider Mission. Five amputee soldiers participated in the event and a special veteran’s symposium on Friday morning.
Klaus Hindsø, MD, PhD, organizer of the special symposium, said attendees of the 12th EFORT Congress 2011 discussed the social, emotional and political aspects of the rehabilitation process for disabled veterans. There was also a presentation from a wounded Danish soldier who is hoping to participate in the Paralympics.
“What we tried to do is present something that is not typically shown in a symposium for orthopaedic surgeons. It was more about politics, one’s own experience and feelings,” Hindsø told us..
- For more information, visit www.efortfoundation.org.