Record set for most osteoporosis screenings

MISSISSAUGA Ont. – Amgen Canada, together with Amgen affiliates in nine other countries around the world, achieved a Guinness World Records title for the most osteoporosis screenings in 24 hours. More than 7,000 participants around the world were screened as part of the company’s osteoporosis awareness campaign, a disease that weakens bones and makes them more likely to fracture.

Over 500 people were scanned at Square One Shopping Centre in Mississauga. Free heel ultrasounds were offered to the public to measure bone density – an indicator of t-score to measure bone density.

An official adjudicator from Guinness World Records was on site at the Amgen-sponsored screening event to verify the number of screenings conducted.

Amgen Canada joined forces with local partner, YOUAREUNLTD to help raise awareness among the general public about osteoporosis.

“While it is exciting to have achieved an official Guinness World Records title, it is even more rewarding to know we helped raise awareness of osteoporosis,” says Dr. Ponda Motsepe-Ditshego (pictured), Executive Medical Director, Amgen Canada. “The more we are aware of this disease that affects 2 million Canadians, the better equipped we are to take charge of our bone health.”

According to an Amgen news release, 2 million Canadians are affected by osteoporosis; the condition can strike at any age. At least 1 in 3 women and 1 in 5 men will suffer from an osteoporotic fracture during their lifetime, and 80 percent of all fractures in people 50+ are caused by osteoporosis.

Approximately 30,000 hip fractures occur in Canada each year, and over one quarter of these occur in men. Osteoporosis causes 70-90% of these 30,000 hip fractures annually.

About Amgen
Amgen focuses on areas of high unmet medical need and leverages its biologics manufacturing expertise to strive for solutions that improve health outcomes and dramatically improve people’s lives. A biotechnology pioneer since 1980, Amgen has grown to be the world’s largest independent biotechnology company, has reached millions of patients around the world and is developing a pipeline of medicines with breakaway potential.
For more information, visit www.amgen.ca

About Guinness World Records
GUINNESS WORLD RECORDS (GWR) is the global authority on record-breaking achievement. First published in 1955, the iconic annual Guinness World Records books have sold over 141 million copies in over 40 languages and in more than 100 countries. Additionally, the Guinness World Records: Gamer’s Edition, first published in 2007, has sold more than 4 million copies to date. Guinness World Records’ worldwide television programmes reach over 750 million viewers annually and more than 3.7 million people subscribe to the GWR YouTube channel, which enjoys more than 328 million views per year. The GWR website receives over 20.5 million visitors annually, and we have over 15 million fans on Facebook. The Guinness World Records commercial sales division provides customized consultancy services for some of the world’s top brands and agencies to help place record breaking at the heart of their marketing campaigns, employee-engagement programmes, and live and experiential events.

About YOUAREUNLTD
YouAreUNLTD is purpose-driven publishing brand aimed at creating a movement to inspire all people to believe in the positivity of aging. We are changing the conversation around aging through the creation and distribution of content that bust myths, informs and educates our audience on the amazing products, services and solutions that empower powerful aging.

For more information visit: www.youareunltd.com