Tin Soldiers

08/06/2026

We’re proud to be partnering with the this Mandela Day to help make a difference in the lives of children and their families.

Our team will be offering free bone, muscle and joint screenings for children, because when it comes to musculoskeletal conditions, early diagnosis can be life-changing. Identifying concerns early can lead to timely intervention, improved outcomes, and a better quality of life.

Many children do not present with obvious symptoms or complaints, which is why screening plays such a vital role in early detection and prevention.

We look forward to joining this meaningful initiative and helping more children access the care and support they need to thrive.

03/06/2026

We’re proud to partner with the Harry Crossley Children’s Nursing Development Unit (CNDU) at the University of Cape Town on the development of a new educational resource focused on paediatric musculoskeletal (MSK) screening. 💛

The nurse-led training video demonstrates the paediatric Gait, Arms, Legs and Spine (pGALS) examination — a simple but powerful screening tool designed to support earlier recognition of musculoskeletal conditions in children, including rare diseases such as Fibrodysplasia Ossificans Progressiva (FOP) and conditions like Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis (JIA).

The programme forms part of CNDU’s “Essential Nursing” suite of short courses and aims to equip healthcare professionals across the continent with practical knowledge and skills to improve early detection, referral and outcomes for children living with MSK conditions.

And while the work is serious, there’s always a little fun behind the scenes too — here’s a glimpse from the filming day with the incredible team who helped bring this resource to life. 🎥✨

Earlier recognition changes lives — and education is where that change begins.

28/05/2026

Earlier this year, we had the privilege of delivering training with the Impilo Project Community Health Champions, and it was incredibly encouraging to see the level of engagement and meaningful connection with the learning materials. 💛

Building on that momentum, we were invited to participate in the Impilo Health Care Day on 16 May — a remarkable community initiative where:
✨ 500 patients were seen
✨ Over 300 volunteers participated
✨ 16 different medical services were provided, including musculoskeletal assessments
Every opportunity to educate healthcare workers and improve access to early screening brings us one step closer to earlier diagnosis and better outcomes for children and families living with musculoskeletal conditions.

The Tin Soldiers Army of Eyes team screened 16 apparently healthy children for musculoskeletal (MSK) conditions, as well as one adult who was referred for management of arthritis.

Approximately 25% (4/16) of the children were identified as having MSK conditions, findings that are consistent with our previous screening initiatives. Importantly, none of these children presented with MSK complaints, highlighting the value of screening and early intervention to improve outcomes.

We are excited about the opportunity to continue collaborating with the Impilo project through further training sessions and expanded MSK screening initiatives at supported schools.

23/04/2026

Today we mark Global FOP Awareness Day, a day dedicated to shining a light on Fibrodysplasia Ossificans Progressiva (FOP), one of the rarest and most disabling genetic conditions in the world.

A major breakthrough came with the discovery of the ACVR1 gene mutation, which is responsible for FOP. This discovery has been a turning point, opening doors to better understanding, improved diagnosis, and the development of targeted treatments that offer real hope for the future.

But awareness remains critical. Too many individuals are still misdiagnosed or diagnosed too late, sometimes leading to harmful interventions that worsen the condition. Early and accurate diagnosis can protect patients and change the course of their care. This is why the work that Tin Soldiers does educating clinicians and raising awareness remains so important.

Today, we renew our commitment: to raise awareness, to educate healthcare providers, and to ensure that those with FOP and other rare musculoskeletal conditions are recognized as early as possible.

28/02/2026

Rare Disease Day 2026 is a powerful reminder that rare is not invisible and that awareness must lead to action. 🩷💙💚

This year’s global theme calls on us to see more, think earlier, and act together. That message sits at the very heart of our work at Tin Soldiers.

Through initiatives like Army of Eyes, we equip frontline clinicians with the knowledge and tools to recognise the early signs of rare musculoskeletal conditions, before harm is done, before opportunities are missed, and before families spend years searching for answers.

For children living with rare diseases, early recognition can change everything. And for clinicians, a single moment of education can ripple into a life-changing diagnosis.

On Rare Disease Day 2026, we stand with the global rare community, advocating for visibility, timely diagnosis, and systems that are ready to respond, no matter how rare the condition.

If you would like to contribute to this life-changing work, please visit our website

Tin Soldiers is a patient FINDING organisation. We find people with FOP (Fibrodysplasia ossificans progressiva) who are living without a diagnosis, and connect them to care and support. We do this by creating far-reaching awareness, leveraging partner networks and educating healthcare professionals.

26/02/2026

🩵 A powerful reminder of why clinician education matters 🩵

Meet Scarlet 🥰

Following an Army of Eyes musculoskeletal (MSK) and FOP education session, a paediatric registrar was reminded of a young patient previously seen with unexplained “lumps on the back.”

That moment of reflection led to a re-evaluation of the case and as a result, Scarlet, a 5-year-old girl, was diagnosed with FOP.

We found one in a million. Identified from just the second provincial hospital where we delivered training.

This is the ripple effect of education. Equipping clinicians with the knowledge to recognise rare conditions earlier, avoid harmful interventions, and change the trajectory of a child’s life.

This is why we do what we do. 💛

24/02/2026

Army of Eyes is a flagship initiative of Tin Soldiers designed to change outcomes for children through earlier recognition and referral. 🤩😍

This paediatric musculoskeletal (MSK) screening and training programme equips frontline healthcare workers to spot early warning signs of MSK conditions in children, from ultra-rare diseases like Fibrodysplasia Ossificans Progressiva (FOP) to more common conditions such as Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis (JIA).

By embedding validated screening tools - particularly the paediatric Gait, Arms, Legs and Spine (pGALS) examination - into routine primary care, Army of Eyes strengthens referral pathways and enables timely access to specialist care across diverse health systems.

The impact so far in South Africa:
• 112 children screened across clinics and schools
• 20% flagged for abnormalities
• 12% referred for specialist care
• 64% of referrals were for MSK conditions
• 1 case of FOP diagnosed

And in India, 87 medical officers, paediatricians and therapists trained, as part of this initiative.

And this is only the beginning. Conversations are now underway in the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom to explore how Army of Eyes can be adapted and rolled out within their healthcare systems, bringing earlier recognition, safer care, and faster pathways to diagnosis to even more children.

This is what happens when education meets action. Earlier diagnosis, fewer missed cases, and better futures for children worldwide 🩵💙

20/02/2026

Behind every diagnosis is a team that makes it possible.
Here at Tin Soldiers, our work is strengthened by the insight and dedication of our Medical Director, Dr Chris Scott, and the many extraordinary clinicians who so generously give their time, expertise, and compassion to support our mission.

As Chris so powerfully reflects:
“One of the most profound realizations in my early career in paediatrics was the power of a diagnosis. It doesn’t just unlock management - it empowers carers and patients,
easing uncertainty and relieving the immense anxiety that comes with the unknown.”

This belief sits at the very heart of everything we do.

Thank you to the clinicians who stand with us, helping turn uncertainty into understanding, and fear into hope.

18/02/2026

As we head towards Rare Disease Day this month, we’re revisiting some of our success stories—stories that wouldn’t exist without the ongoing work to diagnose rare musculoskeletal conditions early, and the life-changing impact that diagnosis brings.

Nathan was one of our very first diagnoses. After hearing about his case, Tin Soldiers quickly reached out to his family and linked them with one of the many clinicians in our network. Nathan was diagnosed with Progressive Osseous Heteroplasia (POH). This is what his parents Desiree Bakkers-Nel and Leonard Bakkers-Nel had to say about their journey with us.

“From 4 years of not knowing to 4 days, it just happened. We had our diagnosis. To speak to the person who actually knows, that was absolutely amazing … I remember
standing in the kitchen and crying for a good 10 minutes.”

Stories like Nathan’s remind us why early diagnosis matters—and why continuing to educate and connect clinicians can change lives in just days, not years.

📸 Desiree, Leonard, Jayden and Nathan

10/01/2026

Many have asked why we’re launching this search initiative. My answer is simple: because it’s our moral duty.

FOP (fibrodysplasia ossificans progressiva) is ultra-rare — only ~900 patients have been identified worldwide, though over 8,000 are estimated to be living with it. Yet 90% are misdiagnosed.

The hallmark sign? In 98% of cases, the big toe is malformed and missing the middle joint — a clue visible at birth. But most healthcare professionals have never been trained to spot it.

Too often, FOP is mistaken for cancer. Biopsies are performed — and that trauma accelerates the disease. Bone begins to form in muscles, tendons, and ligaments, severely restricting movement. A skeleton, growing over a skeleton.

If we find these patients early, we can prevent harm, end unnecessary suffering, and change lives.

I’m proud that LeadPath is the first organization in the region to bring FOP forward.

We will continue navigating the path less taken — for every FOP patient and every family.