First FOP clinical trial in Australia now enrolling!

Clementia Pharmaceuticals are now enrolling participants in Australia for the second stage of their phase II trial of palovarotene!

An Open-Label Extension Study of Palovarotene to Treat Preosseous Flare-ups in FOP Subjects is currently open for enrolments at the Queensland University of Technology. This stage will follow the 40 participants from the first stage, and enrol 20 new participants internationally in this 24 month study.

Top line results from the first stage are detailed here.

This study is only for patients who have finished growing, so this excludes most children under 15. Full trial details including inclusion criteria are available on clinicaltrials.gov (study code NCT02279095).

If you have FOP, please discuss with your health care team regarding whether you may be eligible for this trial, and whether this trial is right for you.
This is the first time part of a clinical trial has been open in Australia and a major milestone for the Australian FOP community. Although many of our community, including children and those with variant forms of FOP, will not be eligible for this trial, it is a big step forward and a cause for hope.

We are extremely grateful to the team at Clementia Pharmaceuticals (pictured above), the team at QUT, and dedicated community members who have worked together to make this happen.

 


Somerville Fundraising Disco February 11th (Victoria)

FOP Australia member Tyson Stanley is working hard to get ready for  “Tyso and Gypsy’s Marvel-ous Marvel vs DC Disco” at the Somerville Scout Hall on February 11th.

16 year old Tyson has already organised several disco events, and we are very excited that this year he has chosen to donate proceeds from the event to FOP Australia.

Dress up as your favourite Marvel or DC character to join in the fun and maybe even win a prize! Food, drinks and glow products will be available for purchase. There will also be an appearance by FOX Racing team member Jayo Archer.

Entry is only $5 for 1 (or $15 for 4, $20 for 5, or $25 for 6). So if you are in Victoria, get along to the Somerville Scout Hall in Clarinda St from 6pm to show your support, have fun, and win some prizes!

Thank you Tyson for your hard work – we hope you have a great night!


Q+A with Prof Kaplan and Dr Pignolo: Transcript now available!

One of the most popular sessions of the 2016 Australasian FOP Patient Gathering in Brisbane was the discussion with international experts Professor Fred Kaplan and Dr Robert Pignolo.

They joined us live from the University of Pennsylvania to answer questions from the ten FOP families at the meeting.

transcript from this session is available for download. This includes additional contact details for those seeking further information on the topics discussed.

We thank Prof Kaplan and Dr Pignolo for their dedication and ongoing support of the global FOP community, including FOP Australia.


FOP Australia FY 2015/2016 Annual Report

The FOP Australia Annual Report for FY 2015/2016 is now available.

The report shows our key activities for the past financial year, financial information, our structure and people, and most importantly acknowledges the people that have helped us to achieve the great results of the past year.

Thank you to everyone who has played a part in our success, we look forward to working with you to find a cure for FOP.

Read our Annual Report 2015/16 here.


FOP Australia delivers $34K for research

FOP Australia delivers $34K for research

FOP Australia is making a donation of $34,000 to medical research related to a cure for Fibrodysplasia Ossificans Progressiva (FOP) after a year of successful fundraising which included a launch event in June 2016.

“We want to thank every single person who has helped us raise this amount of money.  All those who generously made a donation, held a fundraiser on our behalf and supported our launch event in any way” said Lara Boniface, Chairperson of FOP Australia’s Board.

Australian and New Zealand based patients and their families and supporters gathered at Rydges Hotel in Brisbane on 4 June to officially launch the patient not-for-profit organisation that was formed mid-2015.

13346885_1253435574668585_684205953763710254_n13422464_1253434908001985_4276064248531228951_o

“It was an amazing night with such a great atmosphere.  Having so many people supporting us and speaking positively about the potential of research towards a cure in the future was very special” said Brooke Scott, an Australian patient.

Oliver Collins and his family have been an integral part of the international FOP community for the past 20 plus years. Oliver spoke at the launch, leaving the audience with a deeper understanding of living with FOP.  He spoke of those practicalities and challenges as a young adult studying at university with a full life ahead of him.  He reminded the audience of the daily support required and the incredible difference a positive attitude makes.

13416813_1253435194668623_6239826204599735924_o13433102_1253434671335342_8285771439617808818_o

Thanks to the generosity of more than 200 guests,FOP Australia members, patients, their families and friends, the final donations tallied close to $20,000.

“We are proud to donate all this and more to research because it is one of the reasons we established FOP Australia in the first place” said Lara.

“Our primary goals include contributing to research a cure for FOP, and by donating this money via The International FOP Association (IFOPA) – we can be certain it is used in the best possible ways” she added.

IFOPA is the leading international non-profit organisation supporting medical research, education and communication for those afflicted by the rare genetic condition that is FOP.

FOP Australia received overwhelmingly positive feedback on the launch event as well as a patient gathering that took place in Brisbane from June 2-5.  It was the first chance in recent years for patients and families of FOP in Australia and New Zealand to gather together and discuss recent medical progress, trial results and other related topics.

patients13428035_1253436058001870_289331757231897799_n

“After we returned to Victoria after the event, Tyson was visibly brighter and more positive about life.  I think the chance to meet his ‘FOP family’, hear the support from the community and enjoy a fun party really had a positive effect on him” said Talia Wilson, whose 15 year old son Tyson has FOP.

Since its inception, FOP Australia has been the beneficiary of personal fundraising efforts and donations that have added an additional $14K to our total.  We would like to acknowledge the incredible support of just some of these special people and organisations.  Their efforts, both small and large, have gone a long way to raise awareness and understanding of FOP within Australia.

  • The Collins family for their significant donation
  • Shan Carty, Independent Jamberry Consultant who donated profits from an online Jamberry Nails sale
  • Imogen Taylor and the Sydney medicos who ran the City2Surf
  • Junction Park State School in Brisbane for hosting a gold coin donation ‘free dress day’

Our work does not stop here.  We are an organisation of volunteers who is always looking for ideas and help to achieve our ‘vision’.  You can continue to help us by making a donation at: FOP Australia Give Now page .

If you are not a member, join our organisation for the small fee of $10 annually.  Membership forms are available here.

Our vision and mission is to:

  1. help educate the community, in particular medical professionals, on the symptoms and medical management of FOP
  2. support all patients and families living with FOP in Australia and more widely in the Asia Pacific region
  3. raise funds for medical research both in Australia and overseas through established and world renowned FOP research centres
  4. advocate at community and government level to ensure any future approved treatments be made available to patients in Australia
  5. nurture a community of highly motivated and passionate individuals that will continue to expand our FOP networks around Australia

 

You can stay up to date on our progress and future fund raising plans via our website: FOPAustralia.org

 

 


Medics run to stop FOP

On 14 August, a group of more than 30 doctors and nurses from the Prince of Wales hospital in Sydney will line up with thousands of other eager runners to compete in the annual City 2 Surf event.

What’s special about this group is – they’re running to stop FOP (Fibrodysplasia Ossificans Progressiva) an incredibly rare disease affecting 1 in 2 million people and Imogen Taylor is the driving force behind this team of medics.

“My partner’s sister – one of the best people I know – has FOP. It is appalling to see how dramatically the disease progresses and devastating that currently there is no treatment, let alone a cure. For the past few years, my partner Tom and I have been among those raising money for research into the disease – but mostly centered in the UK where she lives” said Imogen.

Tom went with his family to the International FOP conference in Manchester in May this year. They had the pleasure of meeting Jarvis and his mum Lara from Brisbane and learnt that the charitable organisation FOP Australia was just being established”, she continued.

As Imogen had just arrived in Australia and was working at a hospital in Sydney where a group of doctors were going to run the City2Surf – it seemed like the perfect opportunity to raise awareness about FOP Australia.

There are thirty members in the team- a mix of medical specialists some of whom had not heard of FOP themselves – despite their expertise in the field of medicine.

“FOP is so rare, it is not usual to test for it, or for those in the medical profession to be aware of the symptoms – like turned in toes”, said Imogen.

Imogen has shared information about FOP with members of their running team and have already spread the word about fundraising efforts to our colleagues, friends and relatives.

So why choose FOP over other equally worthy charities out there?

“If we can raise money that will directly support research that could prevent a lot of suffering and, within a few years, we could consign FOP to the history books.”

“Using our networks, the thirty of us can reach out to hundreds of others, telling them about FOP and enlist their support,” said Imogen

While Imogen has never run City2Surf before, she’s amazed at the beauty of the 14km course passing through the CBD to the Eastern beaches.

“The atmosphere will be fantastic. We have some people who are brand new to running and others who are triathletes!” she added.

“Running for a cause like this is extremely rewarding and will motivate us to get over the finish line’” she smiled.

I know everyone thinks ‘I should do that for charity….Well here’s an example of how that has translated in action”.

“Find an event you want to take part in, persuade your friends to do it with you and then raise money for a charity close to your heart – why not FOP Australia!”

To support this amazing team of runners, you can make a donation at: FOP Australia Give Now page

The members of FOP Australia want to extend a heartfelt thanks to Imogen, Tom and the team of runners who contacted us to raise money for FOP.  Their generosity and hard work will help Australian patients and their families living with FOP, and we will donate 100% of the funds raised towards research for a cure.

For information on FOP and our charity FOP Australia visit the  FOP Australia Website

 


FOP Australia Launch

index

All tickets to the FOP Australia Launch on Saturday 4th of June 2016 have now sold!

We have been overwhelmed by the response and thank everyone for helping us.

If you have missed out on a ticket, please email us at info@fopaustralia.org to be added to the wait list!

 


FOP Awareness Day – April 23

April the 23rd is celebrated as FOP Awareness Day around the globe.

On this day in 2006 the FOP gene, ACVR1, was discovered by researchers at the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine.

Discovery of the gene allows research efforts to focus on a treatment and cure. We are extremely grateful to the numerous doctors and scientists who are working towards this goal.

You can directly support FOP Australia by:

Purchasing an Entertainment Book www.entbook.com.au/91408j5

Buy a ticket to our official launch to be held in Junehttps://www.stickytickets.com.au/36347

Sharing our Facebook posts with your network to help us raise awareness of FOP.

We will soon by announcing other ways you can donate to help our cause and we thank you for your ongoing support.


FOP Australia Launch!

Please join us to celebrate the achievements of the first year of FOP Australia at our official launch.

Where: Fox Hotel, Acadia Room, 71-73 Melbourne Street South Brisbane

When: Saturday 4th June 2016

Time: 7-9pm, official proceedings including drinks and canapes and entertainment. 9-11pm,  Please note after this time, there are no children permitted in the venue and you will need to purchase your own drinks.

Ticketslogo_supporter_transparent

We welcome all of our supporters to attend including family and friends who are not members of FOP Australia, please see the invitation below and forward to anyone you believe would like to support our cause.

We look forward to seeing you there!

For more information please contact us at fopaustralia@gmail.com

Thank you to our sponsor Sticky Tickets.

 


Entertainment book Fundraiser

FOP Australia is selling the Entertainment Book this year to help raise funds and awareness of Fibrodysplasia Ossificans Progressiva.

The Entertainment Book includes discount vouchers for a range of restaurants, cafes, arts, attractions, hotels, shopping and travel. There is a wide variety of vouchers in the book and after only using a few you are likely to have recovered the purchase cost.

Memberships are available for most regions in Australia and New Zealand. You have 2 options when purchasing, a traditional book, or a digital membership which links with your smart phone and is compatible over 2 devices so you can share with a family member.

You can pre-order your book here.

For hard copy Entertainment Books outside of the Brisbane area please contact us to see if we have a representative in your area which will save on shipping costs.

Click here for more information.