THE SAINT PAUL OSTOMY ASSOCIATION IS:

A self-help medical support organization dedicated to helping persons who have had surgery resulting in a colostomy, ileostomy or urostomy (ileal diversion).

An all-volunteer, non-profit, self-governing association with a medical advisory board and approved by the Ramsey County Medical Society and the Saint Paul Division of Public Health.

A chapter of the United Ostomy Association, a national organization comprising some 500 chapters throughout the United States.

ASSISTANCE TO THE PERSON WITH AN OSTOMY:

The Saint Paul Ostomy Association (SPOA) will send a trained member to 
visit an ostomy patient in the hospital pre-operatively and/or post-operatively 
at the request of a physician or nurse.

A member will be available to the patient at any time for friendly visiting, 
ostomy management advice, or reassurance.

Group meetings are held each month ( except June, July and August) at 
10:00 AM on the third Saturday of the month.

The Pacesetter, an informative bi-monthly newsletter, is published by the 
SPOA containing articles helpful to children and adults with ostomies, and 
to their families. Qualified members conduct classes on ostomy care for 
students and staff nurses in hospitals and schools of nursing upon request.

Members are given the opportunity to help others and so help themselves. 
They  are encouraged to resume their activities in the home, on the job, and 
in the community .

The exchange of knowledge and ideas made possible by our monthly meetings will greatly benefit you and your family. There you may:

Meet and learn of approved ostomy care from well-known authorities, physicians and enterostomal therapist nurses who are invited to speak or attend the meetings.

Hear about and exchange experiences with other persons having an ileostomy, colostomy or urostomy.

See and learn about the wide variety of appliances and equipment available to the ostomate through presentations from manufacturer's representatives and the SPOA appliance display board.

Obtain reading materials and videos on ostomy care and rehabilitation gathered from local and national sources available at no charge.

Participate in association social activities and attend local, regional and national conferences.

Membership dues are $25.00 for one year and include the SPOA 
newsletter- The Pacesetter and the national magazine, The 
Ostomy Quarterly. Contact us at:

THE SAINT PAUL OSTOMY ASSOCIATION
PO Box 75365, St. Paul. Minnesota 55175 
Phone: Eileen at (651) 455-6467
Internet: http://www.ostomy.org/ostomy04.htm