The Winnipeg Ostomy Association

204-825 Sherbrook Street,
Winnipeg, MB R3A 1M5

WOA's World Ostomy Day Fact Sheet

• An ostomy is the surgical diversion of the solid waste or liquid waste function of the body to one or more pouches applied to the exterior of the body, as a way to re-route the body wastes around a medical problem area.
• Scholars have found reports of ostomies being done as far back as biblical times.
• How much public education is there to do on the issue? Consider this: Medical terms such as orthopaedic, angioplasty, and thoracic cavity are all easily recognized by Word Perfect-but ostomy isn't (try typing it in yourself!).
• There are numerous reasons patients get ostomies-some of the most common are cancer treatment, ulcerative colitis, Crohn's Disease, car accidents or other trauma wounds and birth defects.
• As a life saving measure, ostomies have been done on infants less than a week old.
• One of the world's oldest known ostomy recipients lives right here in Winnipeg! She is in her eighties, had her procedure done in `1946, and she's in great health.
• Across Canada, there are around 55,000 people with ostomies, and 3,000 of them live in Manitoba.
• Manitoba is the only place in North America where ostomy supplies essential to the health of the person getting them are fully funded by the health care system. Even in other Canadian provinces, people with ostomies are expected to pay anywhere from $1200 to $3000 for a year's supply of waste appliances and gear.
• The Winnipeg Ostomy Association fundraises to collect and send supplies to developing countries where cost is prohibitive, or supplies may not even be available. Some of the places shipments have been sent to include Chile, Bolivia, Algeria, Ukraine, Nicaragua, and Guyana.
• The WOA also raises money to send local children with ostomies to Canada's only summer camp for ostomates, in Kananaskis country outside Calgary.
• Through its Visitor Program, the WOA provides trained mentors to people who have just had the surgery. Existing members who have an ostomy themselves, provide support and tips on managing after surgery, and a real-life example that there is life after ostomy surgery.
• The WOA has existed since 1972, has monthly chapter meetings, and friends and family of ostomates are encouraged to join in!
• The Winnipeg Ostomy Association was honoured with the Premier's Volunteer Service award for 2009, for its work in the community.

Last updated September 26 2009. Comments to: Mike Leverick