Volunteer Opportunity 

Interested in a Future in Healthcare? 

Become a Scoliosis Health Advocate

through Scolio Dance Initiative

Volunteer Opportunities

Participate in ONE or ALL of the following to earn volunteer service hours.

1) Scoliosis Awareness Flyer Outreach  - (Greatest Impact)

(Earn 5 volunteer hours per flyer— up to 30 hours max for one school site or studio)

Help raise awareness about scoliosis by distributing and posting educational flyers in schools and dance studios. These flyers inform students and families about the importance of early detection, especially during growth years. 

**Scroll to the bottom of this page for sample email templates for schools and studios**

All locations must receive prior approval from a school principal, counselor, or studio owner/director before any flyers are shared or displayed.

Physical Flyer Posting (5 service hours per flyer placement — up to 30 hours max per school/studio)

Post flyers in high-visibility areas such as school hallways, bulletin boards, locker rooms, health office, dance studio lobbies and/or hallways.

Digital Flyer Distribution (5 service hours per placement — no maximum hours)

Share digital flyers through official school or studio platforms, such as  parent or student newsletters, school newspapers, websites, and/or dance studio newsletters.

Requirements to receive volunteer hours:

• Administrator approval required before distribution

• Submit proof of posting (screenshot or link of digital posting or photo of physical flyer)

• Submit a screenshot of the approval email from the school administrator or studio director

This opportunity combines public health advocacy with real-world communication and outreach experience while making a meaningful impact in your community.

2) Public Health Awareness Campaign - Social Media Posts
(Earn 1 volunteer hour per post — up to 6 hours max)

Help spread awareness about scoliosis and the importance of early detection by using your social media platform.

Follow @scolio.dance.initiative on Instagram. Then, share scoliosis awareness flyers or posts to your Instagram Story and tag @scolio.dance.initiative, @luskinoic, and @srs_org. These posts are designed to educate students and families about recognizing scoliosis early—especially during key growth years.

For verification, all Instagram story posts must be screenshotted and submitted.

Examples:

• Repost or share a story from the Instagram page of Scolio Dance Initiative or Scoliosis Research Society or Luskin OIC **Required: Tag @scolio.dance.initiative @luskinoic and @srs_org 

• Share content from the Scoliosis Research Society social media toolkit: https://www.srs.org/Patients/Events/Scoliosis-Awareness-Month/Social-Media-Tools

3) Health Policy Advocacy - Letters to Your Governor

(Earn 2 volunteer hours per letter — earn additional hours for each letter you help generate)

Advocate for scoliosis awareness at the state level by contacting your governor in support of Scoliosis Awareness Month (June).

How to participate:

• Email a completed letter to your state’s governor (use letter template) Use the official template provided by the Scoliosis Research Society (SRS), available here:
  https://www.srs.org/Patients/Events/Scoliosis-Awareness-Month/Social-Media-Tools
  The “Template Letter to Governor” can also be found at the bottom of this page.

• Encourage friends and family to send letters as well (earn additional hours for each one submitted)

• Take a screenshot of each submitted letter for verification

SRS is a nonprofit organization dedicated to improving scoliosis care and awareness. One of its key goals is for every state and territory to officially recognize June as Scoliosis Awareness Month through a formal proclamation.

4) Emotional Support for Scoliosis Patient(s) -Make and Deliver Cards

(Earn 1 volunteer hour for every 3 handmade cards - no maximum)

Make a meaningful difference by creating handmade cards that uplift and encourage individuals with scoliosis. Your words can provide comfort, confidence, and positivity—something every patient can benefit from.

Volunteers may create as many cards as they’d like and deliver them to someone they know or through a trusted organization. Due to privacy laws, we do not maintain a list of patients, so this opportunity is best suited for those with personal connections or access to groups that can help distribute the cards.

Examples:

• Create and deliver 15 uplifting cards to a friend with scoliosis 

• Partner with a local hospital or orthopedic office to share your cards with patients

Card message ideas: 

“Your strength is greater than any curve in your path.”

“You are more than your diagnosis—you are powerful, resilient, and unique.”

“Every day you stand tall is a victory worth celebrating.”

“Your journey may be different, but your courage shines brighter because of it.”

“Keep going—you are stronger than you think.”

“Your spine doesn’t define you—your spirit does.”

Dance themed ideas

“A dancer’s heart is stronger than any curve.”

“Keep dancing—your courage shines in every step.”

“Your story makes your dance even more powerful.”

“Every plié, every stretch, every step shows your resilience.”

“Dancers are strong, and you are stronger than you know.”

“Your passion for dance is bigger than any obstacle.”

Why are we targeting schools?

In the 1970s and 1980s, many U.S. states enacted laws requiring scoliosis screening programs in schools to help identify students who might need medical evaluation. However, today these screenings do not always occur consistently. In some areas, school screenings may be suspended or reduced depending on funding, staffing, or district priorities in a given year. Because of this, awareness is more important than ever.  Schools can easily email digital flyers in their parent newsletter at no cost and create a huge impact in the community.

Why is there a focus on dancers?  

Joy Card Project co-founder was diagnosed with scoliosis in 2022 and is a competitive dancer.  Through her deep dive on the topic scoliosis, she discovered that research suggests a significantly higher rate of dancers have scoliosis than the general population.  She decided to take action and spread scoliosis awareness to encourage early detection.

Program Impact

By participating in this program, volunteers help:

• Increase scoliosis awareness among students and families

• Encourage early medical evaluation and support spine health in young people

• Promote awareness in the dance community

Even one flyer can help a student or parent recognize the signs of scoliosis and seek early medical advice.

Scoliosis Awareness Volunteer Program

(Scolio Dance Initiative X Joy Card Project)

The Scoliosis Awareness Volunteer Program empowers students to help spread awareness about scoliosis in elementary schools, middle schools, high schools, and dance studios. By sharing educational materials with their communities, volunteers help students, teachers, and families recognize early signs of scoliosis and seek medical evaluation sooner.

This program also allows student volunteers to earn verified community service hours while helping improve youth health awareness and providing emotional support. 

Why Scoliosis Awareness Matters

Scoliosis is a condition where the spine curves and twists to the side instead of growing in a straight line. Early detection is extremely important because scoliosis often develops during the rapid growth period of adolescence.

In the 1970s and 1980s, many U.S. states enacted laws requiring scoliosis screening programs in schools to help identify students who might need medical evaluation. However, today these screenings do not always occur consistently. In some areas, school screenings may be suspended or reduced depending on funding, staffing, or district priorities in a given year. Because of this, awareness is more important than ever.

When scoliosis is identified early, treatment options may include:

• Monitoring by a doctor

• Physical therapy

• Bracing

If scoliosis is diagnosed late, treatment options can become more limited, and curves may progress further before being detected.  

By educating students, teachers, and families about scoliosis signs, volunteers can help ensure more young people are evaluated earlier if needed.

Why This Is Especially Important for Dancers

Research suggests that dancers may have a higher rate of scoliosis than the general population.  Because dancers are often very flexible and strong, early signs of scoliosis can sometimes be less noticeable. That is why scoliosis awareness in dance studios and performing arts schools is particularly important.

*Research suggests that up to 20-30% of dancers may be diagnosed with scoliosis, compared to 2-3% of the general population in the U.S.

Signs of Scoliosis to Watch For

Students, teachers, and parents should look for:

• Uneven shoulders

• One hip higher than the other

• One shoulder blade sticking out more

• A rib cage that looks uneven when bending forward

• Clothing hanging unevenly

• A visible curve in the spine

If any of these signs appear, students should consult a healthcare professional for evaluation.

Scoliosis Awareness Flyer for 

DANCERS/Dance Studios 

front and back of the double sided flyer

Scoliosis Awareness Flyer for 

TEENS/Schools

front and back of the double sided flyer

Scoliosis Flyer by Luskin Orthopaedic Institute for Children (LOIC)

front and back of the double sided flyer