Strong Bones Are Doctor’s Prescription

Got milk?

You can bet the Girl Scout who sold you cookies does.

She knows how important the calcium in milk is thanks to Bone Builders, a program designed by rheumatologist Robin K. Dore to create awareness of osteoporosis prevention.

Dore, who has a practice in Anaheim, was honored in March by the Arthritis Foundation for developing the program as a Girl Scout project with her daughter, Shannon.

Scouts learn how a healthy lifestyle, exercise and proper nutrition can combat the bone-weakening disease. And they earn a patch with a cow on it.

The patch program has gone national, said Alice G. Bonne, chairman of the board of directors of the Orange County-Long Beach branch of the Arthritis Foundation.

“The idea is to educate kids before they get diseases later in life. With osteoporosis, it’s what you do before age 20 and genetics that will be the determining factors,” Bonne said.

Dore, who attended UCI and UCLA, also is active with the Lupus Foundation of America and participates in research studies of medications for the treatment of osteoarthritis, osteoporosis, rheumatoid arthritis and other diseases.

“She’s a local success story,” said Bonne, who praised Dore for her scientific mind, compassionate spirit and tenacity in “fighting the fight” for rheumatic disorders and women’s and children’s health care.

For more information, call the Arthritis Foundation at (714) 436-1623.

To be considered for this column, please send information on the Orange County person being honored along with a photograph to Lynn O’Dell, The Times’ Orange County edition, 1375 Sunflower Ave., Costa Mesa, CA 92626. (714) 283-5685.