Your holiday generosity supports Canadians living with an ostomy, like young camper Parker and mentor Ryan, helping them live life to the fullest.
Every winter, Canadians living with an ostomy rely on Ostomy Canada for community, support, and life-changing programs like Youth Camp. This season, your donation will go even further. Hollister is generously matching all gifts, dollar for dollar, up to $5,000. Your generosity brings warmth, hope, and connection to those who need it most.
• Send kids to Youth Camp for a life-changing week
• Provide national support for people living with an ostomy
• Fund resources, community groups, and education
• Ensure no one feels alone in their ostomy journey
One of the highlights of 2025 was celebrating 40 years of Ostomy Youth Camp. For campers like Parker, the week at camp is truly life-changing. Guided by mentors like Ryan, a camp alumnus and volunteer, Parker found a supportive space.
Meet Parker & Ryan
Parker, age 11, has lived with an ostomy since he was two days old. Ostomy Canada Youth Camp is where he finally found friends who understand him. Today, he looks up to volunteers like Ryan.
Ryan, 32, is a former camper who now works as a project manager in Nova Scotia. He has had his colostomy since birth due to an Ependymoma Tumour. His favourite time of year is at camp when he mentors kids and shows them they can live full, confident lives with an ostomy.
Ostomy support groups across Canada
Canadians living with an ostomy
Children who attend Ostomy Youth Camp
Parker’s medical journey has been complex. His main diagnosis, Megacystic Microcolon Intestinal Hypoperistalsis Syndrome (MMIHS), meant he had his first ostomy surgery at just two days old, and he has undergone more procedures than we can count. He began attending camp at age nine, and this summer was his third year. What he loves most is seeing his friends, though the music and dancing come in a close second. The sense of connection and belonging he feels with his ostomate peers has been so important for his mental, emotional, and physical well-being. Despite everything he has faced, Parker continues to thrive, grow, laugh, and annoy his sisters like any brother would... and for that, I am grateful.
For families like Parker’s, every year brings new challenges as he navigates a rare and complex medical condition. Without connection and support, the world can feel isolating for children living with an ostomy. The lack of understanding from peers can affect their confidence, and limited access to spaces where they truly belong can impact their emotional well-being.
Life with a complex condition can be overwhelming for young people, but together, we can make sure it doesn’t have to be.
By choosing to stand with kids like Parker, your support provides community, confidence, and the hope they need to thrive.
