Sept. E-News: World Ostomy Day Contest, Ostomy 5k, Expect More Blog, new checklist, emotional health and more.

September

E-News

From Our President

It's not just a slogan. Speaking out really does change lives. Ostomy awareness starts with all of us who have recovered from surgery to live an active life.

It is up to us to support those who still struggle and to take on remaining stigmas so that nobody in need ever refuses to have this lifesaving surgery.

We've made it easy for you to make an impact on this World Ostomy Day. There is something anyone can do to speak out to the world.

My Top Ways to Get Involved.

Register, donate, fundraise or volunteer for the Run for Resilience Ostomy 5k near you, or support the Worldwide Virtual 5k.
Take part in our Virtual Day on the Hill. Request a proclamation, write an essay, reach out to Congress, and more ways to enter and win our contest.
Raise awareness with your support group, hospital, family, friends, or community. Ideas include hosting an open house, posting our Ostomy 101 flyers, or sharing #OstomyDayUSA photos on social media.

Please join me and the world for this special event.

Advocacy News

World Ostomy Day Update

UOAA is moving full speed ahead with this year’s World Ostomy Day plans on October 6th! If you haven’t already watched it, please view and share with the world our inspiring video above. I’d also like to take this moment to thank all of the participants in the video for their shining examples of “speaking out” to raise ostomy awareness this year.

I’m also very excited to invite you all to participate in our very 1st Virtual Day on the Hill! This is a fantastic and easy opportunity for everyone in our community to get involved in this year’s World Ostomy Day efforts. Even if you don’t want to enter the contest you can still reach out to your legislators to raise ostomy awareness from the comfort of your home. This simple way of advocating on our Action Center will also help strengthen constituent relationships with legislators for potential need down the road.

We are also pleased to connect you via Facebook Live with a familiar face. You may know her as Gutless and Glamorous or the model who made headlines in a body positive advertising campaign but did you know that she also has lived real struggles in life with an ostomy and has a graduate degree in public health? See below for event details.

Lastly, ConvaTec $5 t-shirts (with proceeds benefiting UOAA) and free Hollister stoma stickers are available online. Please keep visiting our special webpage for these items and updates on how you can speak out and changes lives on World Ostomy Day!

We’d love to hear how you’ll be celebrating this world-wide event. Email UOAA's Advocacy Manager at [email protected] .

Learn More

"Expect More" Advocacy Campaign Part 4 Know What’s in Your Medical Record

4th Article

By UOAA Advocacy Committee

Since UOAA started the advocacy campaign we have been stressing that YOU are your own best advocate. In this next part of the series you will learn how to ensure that (1) your supplier is submitting correct information and up-to-date medical records to your insurance company (or Medicare); and (2) your physician keeps up-to-date medical records about your health, your ostomy and your supplies in your medical record. By doing so it can help avoid claim denials, long appeal processes, costs to you, or even the possibility of not receiving your ostomy supplies.

Featured Resource

Be Prepared with this Physician Visit Checklist

Created for the "Expect More" blog post use this Physician Visit Checklist to remember what to bring to a visit, confirm prescription orders and list complications.

Physician Checklist

Are you able to obtain your prescribed ostomy and/or urological medical supplies?

UOAA is a member of United Spinal Association’s Access and Care Coalition , which consists of patient, clinician, physician, consumer and disability advocates, as well as urological and ostomy medical technology suppliers and manufacturers.

Our mission is to advocate for policies and programs that ensure consumer access to medical supplies under Medicare, Medicaid and private insurance.

We would greatly appreciate your help by filling out this quick survey . UOAA is the patient organization representing people living with an ostomy or continent diversion, so your input is critical.

Thank you!

Gather for Ostomy Awareness October 6 and 13, 2018

Visit our website

Anywhere USA (Virtual) Birmingham, AL Boise, ID Durham, NC East Stroudsburg, PA Harrison Twp, MI Nashville, TN Pennsauken, NJ Portland, OR Mesa, AZ

Don't have an Ostomy 5k near you? Sign-up to walk, run or roll wherever you want with the "Virtual" 5k

Sign-Up for Virtual 5k

Smash a weekly step goal, challenge yourself, or simply show the world what people living with an ostomy are capable of. Walk in your favorite spot alone or invite family and friends to join you. Register for the "Virtual Ostomy 5k" and we'll mail you out a free race bib and ostomy awareness sticker (t-shirt size choice no longer guanranteed) Ostomates who register the largest groups of people will also get a designer ostomy pouch cover. And top fundraisers can win an exclusive run t-shirt, visor or support group prize.

Take photos of you and your friends doing the 5k and inspire others on social media with the hashtag #RunforResilience or #OstomyDayUSA or email photos to [email protected] .

Don't want to run or walk? Help someone else and support a fundraiser.

Donate to Support

From Our Ostomy 5k Diamond Sponsor Hollister

Hollister is #AllinforOstomy!

At Hollister Incorporated, we are proud to stand with the broader ostomy community to show how we are #AllinforOstomy . People with ostomies, their families and friends worldwide are gearing up to celebrate World Ostomy Day on October 6, 2018—and you’re invited to join the excitement! Ostomy 5k supporter, free stoma sticker and educational webinar.

Learn More

I Just Need a Moment

Taking a break for some self-care in life with an ostomy

"The problem with being strong is that people expect you to always be strong. When your body has been put through so much, people expect it to willingly fight through anything. After life hands you a few too many lemons, you’re expected to just make an extra-large lemonade. The problem is, sometimes I can’t be strong. Sometimes I just don’t want to be."

-Tricia Hottenstein

New From The Phoenix Ostomy Magazine

Blood in the Pouch

I noticed some blood and I’m not sure where it’s coming from. It’s not a huge amount. I can’t tell if it’s coming from inside or outside the stoma. How much blood is a cause for concern?

B.L.

Dear B.L.,

The best way to tell where the blood is coming from is to remove the bag and closely observe the effluent- is the blood oozing from the edge of the ostomy, or coming out of the central aspect of the stoma? Your ostomy nurse may be a great resource in helping you sort this out. Remember if you have an ileostomy, the consumption of red foods may cause your output to look “bloody,” when it is actually red food dye that you are seeing. Passing large clots or filling the bag with blood is cause for serious concern and immediate evaluation by your colorectal surgeon or gastroenterologist.

Get more Ostomy Answers in the 96-page Fall issue of The Phoenix ostomy magazine, the official publication of UOAA. Ostomy experts, medical professionals and ostomates provide answers to the many questions and challenges of living with an ostomy. From odor control to intimacy to skin care, the leading ostomy publication has in-depth articles that inform, educate and inspire.

From Our Digital Sponsor Coloplast

Care and Support After Your Ostomy Surgery

Gathering the right tools, resources, and community around you following your ostomy surgery will determine your ability to succeed and live a full life as an ostomate.

LEARN MORE

ASG Spotlight

Reviving World Ostomy Day in Ohio

The Greater Cincinnati Ostomy Association (GCOA) has not participated in World Ostomy Day in many years. But things are changing thanks to a new member, Liz Hiles.

She has organized a virtual 5k run/walk for the group and shared with members the many ways they can make an impact on the day from making a donation, to writing local news outlets and lawmakers with tools from UOAA– as outlined on ostomy.org .

Liz has a variety of passions and shared: "I’ve been working with a gastroenterology subspecialty team at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center since 2012, and, most recently, I was faced with a bladder cancer diagnosis in 2016 that has left me with a urostomy. It did not take long for me to open up and offer to assist with the social media efforts for the group. I also recognized that I could bring a unique perspective as someone with a urostomy.

Advocacy and education have been a part of my life as long as I can recall. I was raised to do it and now it comes so naturally to me that it was a natural decision for me to make after recovering from my initial diagnosis. It became especially important to me as I learned more about bladder cancer. For women and bladder cancer, and urostomies as there are immense discrepancies in awareness, research and treatment in these populations. Those discrepancies did not sit right with me and as more time passes, I only learn more that makes me want to address these issues.

I am very excited to see what the results will be and it is an honor to be able to educate others about ostomies and speak up for ostomates everywhere – especially urostomates!"

Contact UOAA for more information on all the ways your support group can make an impact on World Ostomy Day.

Support Group Information at Your Finger Tips

Support Group Finder

Start/Affiliate Your Group

ASG Resources

Emotional support and ostomy education are critical components of life after surgery. UOAA's website is the hub for those who want to connect to our 300 Affiliated Support Groups (ASGs) around the country.