The Challenged Athletes Foundation® (CAF), a world leader in the movement to help athletes with physical challenges get involved – and stay involved – in sports, and Össur, a global leader in non-invasive orthopaedics that help people live lives without limitations, have renewed their partnership, which began in 1997. Under the terms of the new three-year agreement, Össur will continue to serve as the exclusive provider of prosthetic components to CAF and will sponsor a series of mobility clinics to get amputees of all ages and abilities up and moving.
Össur will also serve as a sponsor for all of CAF's other sports clinics and of the San Diego Triathlon Challenge, a unique annual event that brings physically challenged and able-bodied athletes together at La Jolla Cove.
"Össur is proud to continue supporting the Challenged Athletes Foundation through this three-year agreement," said Mahesh Mansukhani, President of Össur Americas. "CAF's efforts to encourage athletes with physical challenges to remain active aligns perfectly with our mission to provide amputees the technology they need to live a life without limitations."
According to CAF Executive Director Virginia Tinley, in 2011, Össur's generous support allowed CAF to fulfill 54 grants for running feet and knees. "Thanks in large measure to the Össur Leg Amputee Running and Mobility Clinics, the demand for sports prosthetics – and the desire to be physically active – continues to build within the amputee community," Tinley said.
In 2012, Össur will sponsor running and mobility clinics – led by world-class faculty and Team Össur members (successful amputee athletes who serve as role models and mentors) – in Philadelphia, PA (May 19); New York, NY (June 10); Chicago IL (Aug. 11); Durham, NC (Sept. 29); San Diego, CA (Oct. 20); and, Lafayette, CA (Nov. 3).
Athletes wishing to attend the Össur Leg Amputee Running and Mobility Clinics can get more information and register online at: www.challengedathletes.org/clinicschedule.
About the Challenged Athletes Foundation
The Challenged Athletes Foundation (CAF) believes that participation in sports at any level increases self-esteem, encourages independence and enhances quality of life. Since 1994, more than $30 million has been raised and almost 5,000 funding requests from challenged athletes in all 50 states and dozens of countries have been satisfied. Additionally, CAF's outreach efforts reach another 60,000 individuals each year. Whether it's a $2,500 grant for a handcycle, helping underwrite a carbon fiber running foot not covered by insurance, or arranging enthusiastic encouragement from a mentor who has triumphed over a similar challenge, CAF's mission is clear: give those with the desire to live active, athletic lifestyles every opportunity to compete in the sports they love. To learn more, log on to www.challengedathletes.org or call 858-866-0959.
About Össur
Össur (NASDAQ OMX: OSSR) is a global leader in non-invasive orthopaedics that help people live a life without limitations. Its business is focused on improving people's mobility through the delivery of innovative technologies within the fields of braces, supports, prosthetic limbs and compression therapy, including the Flex-Foot Cheetah carbon fiber running prostheses used by "The Blade Runner," renowned double-amputee sprinter Oscar Pistorius. A recognized "Technology Pioneer", Össur invests significantly in research and product development; its award-winning designs ensuring a consistently strong position in the market. Successful patient and clinical outcomes are further empowered via Össur's educational programs and business solutions. Headquartered in Iceland, Össur has major operations in the Americas, Europe and Asia, with additional distributors worldwide. www.ossur.com
Contacts:
For CAF
Jenna Novotny
858.210.3529
Jenna@challengedathletes.org
or
For
Össur
Nerissa Silao
714.484.1128
nerissas@ca.rr.com