On Saturday October 4th, Shield HealthCare is standing with the United Ostomy Associations of America (UOAA) and the ostomy community to celebrate Ostomy Awareness Day 2014. The theme of the day will be Live, Learn and Share.
The goal of Ostomy Awareness Day is to raise awareness of ostomy surgery and how this surgery can make a positive difference in the lives of patients. This day is also designed to support individuals with ostomies, helping people to live a normal life following ostomy surgery.
“On this day, those who LIVE with an ostomy have an opportunity to SHARE their stories so that other patients, medical professionals, and the general public can LEARN about living with an ostomy,” said Susan Burns, UOAA President.
An ostomy is a surgically created opening in the body that connects an internal organ – such as the intestine – to the surface of the body so that waste can be eliminated. Approximately 1,000,000 people in the United States have an ostomy and more than 130,000 ostomy surgeries are performed in the U.S. each year.*
Learn More: What Is A Colostomy?
The 1st Annual WannaWearOne Ostomy AWEARness 5K Walk/Run will also be held on October 4th, 2014, in Durham, NC. To learn more, visit www.ostomy5k.org.
Shield HealthCare is proud to provide ongoing resources and support to ostomates and caregivers. For up-to-date information about living with an ostomy – including how-to articles, videos, Q&As and other resources – visit our Ostomy Lifestyle Community.
About The United Ostomy Associations of America (UOAA)
The United Ostomy Associations of America (UOAA) is a national volunteer-based organization that provides patient support services and ostomy education to patients and to the public. UOAA has a network of over 350 Affiliated Support Groups (ASGs) across the country that support members and welcome new patients every day.
*Statistics provided by the United Ostomy Associations of America (UOAA)
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What is one thing you wish someone had told you about having an ostomy before you got an ostomy or when you were new to having an ostomy?
