UOAA UPDATES are our way of communicating to our members what is happening throughout the organization.

It is our hope that this information will be passed on to your members by including it in your newsletters or by discussing it at your local support group meetings. We continue to look forward to working with you and to being an active resource to ensure your success.

SEPT 2012 UOAA UPDATE

PRESIDENTS MESSAGE
It is nearly here. On October 6, ALL people with ostomies across the US will be celebrating World Ostomy Day. I have spoken about this in previous updates and I strongly encourage everyone to go to the UOAA website at www.ostomy.org and find the activities scheduled in your area. Go to the celebrations near you and join in. Participate and as our motto says Let us be Heard. There are events currently planned from coast to coast and we want everyone to join in and show solidarity with your fellow ostomates. Our goal is to have World Ostomy Day and Ostomy Awareness Day be a day where all people with ostomies can feel a sense of pride. We want to allow people to be proud of who they are and what they have accomplished in their lives. We know it is time to educate the American public and tell the full truth about ostomy surgery and the quality of life that exists afterwards !! Recently, our Conference Planning session in Jacksonville, FL, site of our 2013 Conference, was a success. The Hyatt Regency Riverfront will be a wonderful location and there are many things to do nearby. We are planning our program, lining up our speakers and planning all kinds of fun events for 2013. We promise that all who attend WILL HAVE A GREAT TIME !!! After January 1, 2013, you will be able make your reservations and plan to be at the Hyatt next August and join with us to celebrate. As I have said in the past, you are the U in UOAA and we WANT you to join us in Jacksonville. We believe that this will be the BEST UOAA National Conference!!! Mark your calendars now for August 710, 2013. It was great seeing so many of you in attendance for our Leadership Training Program. You are the future of UOAA and this was your way of learning more about the organization. As always I want to extend my gratitude to our tireless Board of Directors, our Board of Trustees and our Affiliated Support Group Advisory Board (ASGAB). Their knowledge, hard work and dedication cannot be minimized. I would like to extend our sympathy on behalf of the entire UOAA organization to Gene Zapf, Treasurer of the Ostomy Society of Canada, on the recent passing of his wife Sheelah. Many of you may remember Sheelah. She was active in UOA Canada and US and she also chaired Youth Rally. Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family, Gene.

WORLD OSTOMY DAY

ASGs across the US as well as manufacturers of your ostomy supplies are planning great events. Click on the WOD logo on the home page of our website

www.ostomy.org to see a complete list of activities. For those of you who cant make a live event, sign on to the UOAA Facebook page and click on WOD event and chat with ostomates from around the world. Bring your picnic basket full of your favorite goodies.

ostomates in developing countries. Through the years, FOW-USA has shipped 270,000 pounds of ostomy supplies with a current value of $13.5 million to over 71 countries. Last year FOW-USA made 54 shipments to 37 countries. FOW-USA recently moved to a new warehouse location in Louisville, KY. There, volunteers receive, sort and repack supplies for shipment overseas, which is arranged by a volunteer Board member who serves as Warehouse Manager. A PowerPoint Program is available to be downloaded from our website, www.fowusa.org (click on The FOW-USA Story) which can be used by ostomy groups for a meeting presentation. Other information about FOW-USA is also available on our website and on our Facebook page. We would welcome support from all who read this article. We need donated ostomy supplies as well as financial contributions to continue our mission of helping ostomates in need. Please note that we cannot take expired supplies (check boxes for dates) or liquids. Supplies and financial contributions should be sent to our new warehouse: FOW-USA, 4018 Bishop Lane, Louisville, KY 40218. Thank you to all those Affiliated Support Groups who are already helping FOW-USA by sending supplies and contributions. We value your support and commitment to ostomates around the world.

WORLD OSTOMY BRACELETS

Due to popular demand we reordered more World Ostomy bracelets. The cost is $2 each and 3 for $5 including postage. This is a wonderful way for you to promote this event. Contact the UOAA office at oa@uoaa.org or call 800-826-0826 to order your supply. Payment can be made by check or credit card. Dont wait too long!!!

SE LEADERSHIP WORKSHOP
Susan Burns, Jim Moore and Joan McGorry had the great privilege of spending a wonderful day learning and sharing with 40 members and leaders of ASGs from Florida, Georgia, South Carolina, Louisiana and as far away as Los Angeles. We had a nice reception on Saturday night and met again for breakfast before starting our Leadership Workshop. One new group from South Carolina affiliated on the spot and there was much sharing of ideas and tips and tricks for growing and sustaining ostomy support groups.

FOW-USA HELPING OSTOMATES AROUND THE WORLD

Imagine using rubber gloves, tin cans, baggies, or rags to manage your ostomy. Thats what ostomates in some countries have to do. But Friends of Ostomates Worldwide-USA (FOW-USA), a non-profit organization which was started 26 years ago is trying to change all that. All volunteer-run, we collect donated ostomy supplies from individuals and organizations in the US, and ship them to help needy

Stay safe and healthy!

Dave Rudzin
President, United Ostomy Associations of America