Well this winter weather is out of control one day warm then cold then rain it's tough to figure out how to dress half the time no wonder people keep getting sick.

At our last zoom meeting we had representatives from StomaGenie and McKinn Health
It was a great presentation on the StomaGenie product and the demonstration was fantastic I
can't wait to get my samples and try it out myself.

We will only have one meeting this month:
Open Forum/Peer Support Meeting December 12 at 7:30pm 

The Ostomy Toronto Board has agreed to donate 10k to 2 food banks again this year: The Fort York Food Bank and Churches On The Hill Food Bank. We feel that this is a great way to indirectly support the ostomy community. The board has decided to also donate 35k to Mount Sinai Hospital; this time it's going to FAP (Familial Adenomatous Polyposis) research. FAP effects about 1 percent of the population and therefore doesn't get the same funds as other conditions. I know we have many Ostomy Toronto Members with FAP so hopefully they can make advances in this area. 

I would like to wish everyone a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year, and be safe and healthy as we finish off 2023.

I would like to thank the Board of Directors and our Social Media Manager for everything they do. Without this small team we would be unable to do the things Ostomy Toronto does. I also want to thank the Bingo Volunteers for all the time they give so we can use the money in areas of support either directly or indirectly to our members.

It's been my pleasure to be the president of Ostomy Toronto and look forward to another year.

Thanks for your support.

Jim Fitzgerald
President
Ostomy Toronto

The Holiday Season can be a struggle for many, no matter your situation. For those who battle with mental health or addiction, this time of year can be particularly difficult.  

Please, if you find yourself having a tough time, reach out to someone. Talk to your Doctor or medical professional, or contact one of the distress lines available below:  

REMEMBER YOU ARE NOT ALONE.  

Distress lines

Toronto Distress Centres: 416-408-4357 (408-HELP)  
Assaulted Women's Helpline: 416-863-0511  
Kids Help Phone: 1-800-668-6868 (Toll free, English & French)

CAMH Community Resource Sheets
CAMH Virtual Urgent Care

ConnexOntario

ConnexOntario is a directory of community mental health and addictions services in Ontario. You can connect with someone for information and referral to services in your community 24 hours a day, 7 days a week by:

• phone: toll-free at 1-866-531-2600
• live online chat
• email

On the ConnexOntario website you can find locations and hours for some of these services and information on:

• Rapid Access Addiction Medicine clinics
  • no appointment or referral is needed to get help, including prescriptions for opioid agonist therapies (such as suboxone or methadone) and counselling referrals if you don’t have a primary care provider

Mobile Crisis Response Teams (24 hrs/7 days) Toronto

Toronto:

• Gerstein Centre Crisis Line: 416 929-5200 service borders: south to the lake, north to Eglinton, and then north to Highway 401 (between Bathurst and Bayview), east to Bayview to Danforth and then to Victoria Park, west to Islington Ave.
• St. Mike’s Hospital Mobile Crisis Team via Police Department (911) accessible through police (no direct number). Response team consists of a police officer and a mental health nurse.
• St. Joseph’s Hospital Mobile Crisis Team via Police Department (911) accessible through police (no direct number).

(info via CAMH.ca, for additional Distress Lines click HERE)