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In my last report I gave details on how Ostomy Toronto was donating $30k to local food
banks in Toronto and the cheques have been delivered. I have to say what a humbling experience this was I had a great chat with Julie from the The Fort York food bank and when I got there around 10 am there was a line of roughly 40 people waiting
to go inside to get much needed food. Julie was telling me that her little community food bank helps roughly 2000 people a week (a big number), but then she explained that the 2000 people are the ones who come to get the food for their families, mostly families of 4 so the Fort York Food Bank is feeding roughly 8000 people a week! And this is almost double from before covid. This was truly a eye opener for me and I would like Ostomy Toronto to continue the support these food banks in the future.
Ostomy Toronto will also be donating $15k to the 14th floor G.I. surgery floor of Mount Sinai Hospital. In the next couple of weeks we will iron out the details and organize delivery of donation. I personally have spent months on this hospital floor, as have many of you and Ostomy Toronto members, so the board thinks it's a great way to give back to the hospital that has helped so many. As I have the final details I will let you know.
Due to the holidays, Ostomy Toronto will only have one meeting this month:
Our Open Forum/Peer Support Meeting will be Tuesday, December 13, 2022 at 7:30pm
We will have 2 meetings in January: our Open Forum Meeting, as well as our Monthly Meeting at the end of January, featuring Convatec doing a manufacturers presentation.
A reminder about Ostomy Toronto's Day Camp Program: if you know any kids under the age of 18 with any type of ostomy, Ostomy Toronto will pay up to $1000 for any day camp they choose. I'm really hoping people will take advantage of this great opportunity (and first of its kind!).
The holidays can be stressful and overwhelming, please know that you are never alone. If you need someone to talk to, there are many great hotlines in Toronto that you can call. Or,
you can call me anytime if you need to talk, I'm always here if needed. My direct number is 647-570-4339; I rather you call me before you hurt yourself or others.
I truly wish everyone a safe and healthy merry Christmas and happy holidays.
Thanks
Jim Fitzgerald
President
Ostomy Toronto
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Join Ostomy Toronto for our Open Forum & Peer Support Meeting: Engaging with the Ostomy Community, on Tuesday, December 13 at 7:30pm. All are welcome!
You're invited to join an online meeting:
Title: Ostomy Toronto's Open Forum Meeting
Time: Tuesday, December 13, 2022, 7:30 PM
Click here for meeting info & links
Please note: Any and all political topics, or topics unrelated to living with an ostomy are not allowed at Ostomy Toronto's Open Forum Meetings.
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REMINDER: we have switched back to Zoom for our monthly meetings. |
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Announcement:
We are Switching back to Zoom |
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Ostomy Toronto is changing our virtual meeting platform from Microsoft Teams back to Zoom. |
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After listening to you, our members and followers, we have made the decision to switch back to Zoom for our monthly meetings. We hope this change will allow you to attend more often and be provided the support that is required.
This change will happen as of our December 13 meeting, and will be permanent througout January and the rest of 2023. |
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Ostomy Toronto Day Camp Program |
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in partnership with The City of Toronto and OLG. |
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Ostomy Toronto will pay up to $1000 for a child with an ostomy or Jpouch to attend any day camp of their choice! Spots are limited, and on a first-come first-served basis. Qualifying requirements apply.
The qualifying requirements:
- Must be a resident of Toronto (requires proof of address)
- Must be 18 or younger (requires proof of age)
- Must have an ostomy or jpouch
(requires written note from a doctor, ET nurse, nurse practitioner, or registered nurse)
- Agree to provide pictures and and short report written by the parents on how camp was for the child
- Agree to join the Ostomy Toronto email list for meetings and other notices
- Complete application in full
All these requirements must be fulfilled in order to be approved for the day camp program.
Please send application or questions to ostomytorontodaycamp@gmail.com |
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Reminder: Monthly Meeting Invitations |
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These emails will
only be sent the mornings of each Monthly Meeting, and Monthly Open Forum/Peer Support Meeting. The emails will only contain the information required to sign in and attend the Ostomy Toronto Meetings.
Please note: If you currently subscribe to our monthly newsletter, you will not be automatically subscribed to these email invitations, you will have to enter your name and email address HERE.
*If you have previously signed up for these invitation emails, you do not need to sign up again.
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November: Food Bank Donations |
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In Memoriam: Daniel Lucas Oxford |
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November 24, 1987 - November 26, 2022
Daniel Lucas Oxford passed away Saturday after battling cancer like a warrior in Walnut Creek. He was born in Martinez and was raised in Benicia where he called home. As a kid he participated in soccer, baseball and track. In high school he participated in musical theater where he fell in love with performing. He graduated from Benicia High School and for many years travelled across the country performing with his friend Jeffree Star on Warped Tour before settling in Las Vegas where he worked for Brittney Spears and also |
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worked as a very talented make-up artist for years. Daniel was an inspiration for those who felt they didn’t fit in or have a voice and was a beacon of light to them. He was a member of The Colon Club and advocated to get people of a “younger than recommended” age to get screened for colon cancer. Daniel loved life and lived it to the fullest.
Via Obituary |
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Jim Fitzgerald, President
Aaron Wolkoff, Financial Treasurer
Urooba Ahad, Director
Glen D'Silva, Director
Michele Smith, Director
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Amanda Caristo, Social Media/Web Manager
Antonio Pergola, Bingo Volunteer
Linda Hurren, Bingo Volunteer
Jennifer Burnett, Bingo Volunteer
Melissa Aman, Bingo Volunteer
Cindy Zuccaro, Bingo Volunteer
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DISCLAIMER
The information contained in this Newsletter is presented for informational purposes only. None of the information is a substitute for professional medical care, attention by a qualified practitioner, or product information that can be gained from an ostomy product distributor, manufacturer or management professional, and under no circumstances may it be relied upon as such. Always check with your doctor or Enterostomal Nurse if you have any questions or concerns about your condition or if you are about to start a new program of treatment or management. Ostomy Toronto and the editors of this Newsletter are not responsible or liable, directly or indirectly, for any form of damages whatsoever resulting from the use (or misuse) of information contained in or implied by this Newsletter.
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