Ostomy Awareness Day l United Ostomy Associations of America

Ostomy Awareness Day

Saturday, October 3, 2020

National Ostomy Awareness Day began in 2010. It is held annually on the first Saturday of October. This day coincides with World Ostomy Day, a health observance where the world unites every three years to raise ostomy awareness. World Ostomy Day is sponsored by International Ostomy Association. UOAA continues to sponsor and celebrate this day in the United States annually by spreading awareness and increasing national visibility of those living with ostomies. We will carry on breaking the silence and shining a positive light on what has saved so many lives.

Join with UOAA and the entire ostomy community on Saturday, October 3, 2020 to spread the facts about life-saving ostomy surgery and stop stigmas once and for all. Check back to learn about the many ways you can make an impact on this day.

State of California

State of Missouri

State of Pennsylvania

Frederick City, MD

KENNEBUNK, MAINE

State of Ohio

State of Colorado

State of New Jersey

State of South Carolina

State of Connecticut

State of Massachusetts

Ostomy Awareness Event Locations

2019 Past Activities

Share Your Story and Photos/Videos
(e.g., here’s a graphic for your profile photo) How many years have you been alive because of your ostomy surgery? Share your stomaversary and how this surgery saved your life. It’s also a chance to share your stoma’s name if it has one.
- Share Your Photos/Video Taking part in the Run for Resilience? Celebrating with your support group? Tell us why your ostomy is your life-saver. Share your photos with us to be featured. Email ed.pfueller@ostomy.org or Tag us on (Facebook @uoaainc Instagram @uoaa_ or Twitter @uoaa
Hashtags: #OstomyDay2019 #MyOstomyMyLifesaver
Share, Post or Print Our New Ostomies Are Life-Savers Infographic

PDF File: OAD-Infographic-2019-final
Donate to ostomy awareness in someone’s honor or memory
Attend a Special Facebook Live Event
Listen to a Special Podcast
WOCN Society presents this special episode of WOCTalk with Joanna Burgess, BSN, RN, CWOCN. Her passion for ostomy care stems from her 51-year journey of living with an ostomy since the age of three. She was named the 2016 WOC Nurse of the Year for the southeast region of the United States, and is honored to serve on the board for United Ostomy Associations of America (UOAA). Joanna has also been appointed as the Chairperson for UOAA’s Advocacy Committee. During this episode, we speak to Joanna about her healthcare journey, her career as a WOC nurse, her involvement with the UOAA and Ostomy Awareness Day.
Ask Congress for a National Ostomy Awareness Day
Visit our Action Center to contact your local lawmaker.
Sample Letter to the Editor to share with your local media to share with your neighbors why ostomies are life-savers
SAMPLE LETTER TO THE EDITOR OAD 2019 Word Doc
Get a Proclamation Where You Live
An important effort anyone can do is to get your Federal, State or Local elected officials to pass a proclamation! Take action online here or use our 2019 2019 Ostomy Awareness Day Proclamation
Twitter Chat with IFFGD (International Foundation for Functional Gastrointestinal Disorders) about ostomy diet.
Wear a Free Stoma Sticker from Hollister
By wearing a “stoma” where people can see it, you can start a conversation, raise awareness, and show support for the ostomy community on Ostomy Awareness Day and every day. Place the sticker over your clothes on the lower right or left side between your navel and hip, where ostomies are typically located. Visit stomasticker.com to order a free educational Stoma Sticker, shipped anywhere in the US.
Celebrate with Coloplast
Join them for a free virtual ostomy 5k in Minneapolis or do your own wherevever you want. Stop by their table at Run for Resilience events around the country and be sure to pick up and show off a temporary “Ostomies are Life-Savers” tattoo.
Buy a t-shirt from ConvaTec to benefit UOAA (SOLD OUT)