Ostomy Awareness Day Proclamation Campaign

Below is a template for Ostomy Awareness Day to submit to your representatives, governor, mayor, etc to mark the first Saturday of October as Ostomy Awareness Day.

Ostomy Awareness Day 

WHEREAS, an ostomy is a type of surgery that creates an opening (stoma) in the abdomen that allows for the removal of bodily waste when a person has lost the normal function of digestive or urinary systems due to birth defects, colorectal cancer, bladder cancer, Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis, and other medical conditions. They are also necessary in cases of severe abdominal or pelvic trauma resulting from accidents or from injuries sustained during military service. The bodily waste passes through the stoma into an ostomy ‘pouch’ on the outside of the body or in the case of continent diversion surgeries, an internal surgically created reservoir. 

WHEREAS, approximately 725,000 to 1 million Americans have an ostomy, with approximately 100,000 new ostomy procedures performed each year and 

WHEREAS, ostomy or continent diversion surgery can occur at any age and does not lower life expectancy and 

WHEREAS, largely through the efforts of United Ostomy Associations of America, Inc., (UOAA) and its over 300 Affiliated Support Groups, Americans needing these surgeries are becoming more aware of the opportunities for education, mutual aid, advocacy and support that are of such great benefit to them and their families and 

WHEREAS, the United States of America celebrates Ostomy Awareness Day with United Ostomy Associations of America annually on the first Saturday of October and 

WHEREAS [community, area, or organization] is committed to increasing public understanding of “ostomy” to eventually help dispel the fear of those about to undergo this surgery, as well as the fear that confronts their families. This day can serve as a reminder to the American public that this is a life-saving and life-restoring surgery and 

WHEREAS [community, area, or organization] recognizes the need that public education and awareness is vital to ensure those who are living with an ostomy face no discrimination and are accepted as normal, healthy individuals. Through education and awareness we can erase the myths, stigma and embarrassment that are sometimes associated with having an ostomy and 

WHEREAS [community, area, or organization] and other government and private sectors are deeply committed to the proper care and advancement of knowledge about bowel and urinary diversion surgery as a result of birth defects, disease, injury and other digestive disorders and 

WHEREAS, to increase public acceptance of ostomy surgery and continent diversion surgery and to help the country better understand that “Ostomies are life-savers”, [community, area, or organization] is designating “Ostomy Awareness Day” on __________