World Ostomy Day

World Ostomy Day 2009 will be celebrated on the 3rd October 2009 and the theme will be "Reaching Out" The aim of World Ostomy Day is to improve the rehabilitation of Ostomates worldwide by bringing to the attention of the general community and the global community the needs and aspirations of Ostomates and their families.

Activities to promote awareness may include: educational programs, seminars, support meetings and demonstrations/displays; electronic information networks, newspaper and magazine announcements/advertisements and articles. Publication of informative handout materials and brochures: audio and video announcements and films; personal visits and lobbying activities; official government proclamations and joint activities with allies agencies and professional health Associations.

Once again the Coloplast Merit Award will be an integral part of World Ostomy Day. The aim of the award is to encourage the spread of enterprising initiatives of national Ostomy Associations to member Associations around the world. The award has been developed in cooperation with IOA and has been presented since 1991. There will be 3 regional contests.

  • Europe
  • The Americas
  • Asia & South Pacific

As part of WOD 2009 there will also be an International Photographic Competition sponsored by Hollister. The World Ostomy Day Photo Contest. The theme of this competition is to indicate that having a Stoma does not stop Ostomates leading a full and active life. For example families on vacation, during work, sporting activities, spending time with children/ grand children volunteering in community organizations. There will be 20 winners for this competition from all parts of the world.

Keep your eyes open for more details of both competitions which will be announced later this year.

Peter McQueen
WOD 2009 Coordinator

For more information, visit the website: www.ostomyinternational.org/WOD2009.htm

In Canada, we have several events planned:

 

 We have been advised that some chapters who are planning to put displays in local malls for WOD have concerns about the high cost of insurance,  Your Executive has looked into this and have come up with a possible solution.

To assist chapters who must purchase insurance prior to using mall display space the following is planned:

Local chapters must purchase/provide the local mall with proof of insurance.  The United Ostomy Association of Canada will rebate local chapters 50% of the mall insurance cost to a maximum of $75.00.  Hopefully this will help chapters who may be having difficulty in purchasing insurance for financial reasons.

 Your Executive.

World Ostomy Day 2009 is an ongoing and continuing process.
What is your group/chapter/satellite doing for World Ostomy Day? We would like to gather a list of all the activities that you are planning!
Write down a short paragraph explaining your activity and email it to me. I will compile a list and send it to Peter to put on the website and on the Facebook group page.
We can increase our activities if we get ideas from other chapters.
Please feel free to contact me with any questions.
Delilah Guy
WOD National chair
phone: 709-256-4647
email: dguy@nf.sympatico.ca