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We are starting the year with some changes to the Board of Directors: Aaron Wolcoff is
stepping down as the Treasurer so he can enjoy his retirement. Aaron has been the cornerstone of Ostomy Toronto for a number of years now, and has been my go to
person if I had concerns about Ostomy Toronto over the years. He has become my friend and I will miss him at our board meetings, but I want to thank Aaron for everything he has done for
Ostomy Toronto and the Board of Directors, and hope he gets much more time at his cottage.
I'd like to welcome Amy Taylor-Mitropoulos back to Ostomy Toronto; she has taken over the position of treasurer. Amy and I have worked together in the past and I'm looking forward to working with her again. Thank you Amy for stepping up to help out.
I want to thank Lori Zozzolotto from Convatec for doing a fantastic presentation of their products and services - there was a great turn out for the January Monthly Meeting.
For the coming months we are only planning one meeting per month in hopes to get more people joining us.
We will also only have 1 meeting in March: Tuesday, March 28, 2023 at 7:30pm. I will be just returning from Cuba - my wife and I will be there for 10 days for a much needed vacation.
I also would like to plan Ostomy Toronto's next dinner meetup. If you have any suggestions for locations please email me directly with the information, preferably located on or near a subway stop.
Let's hope the groundhog find early spring as I'm over the winter lol
Thank you to the members who sent in thier membership renewals - I appreciate your support. If we don't increase the membership numbers we may have to change the structure of Ostomy Toronto in the future so if you have not yet sent your renewal, please do (info below). Without you, our members, there is no Ostomy Toronto.
Thanks for your support
Jim Fitzgerald
President
Ostomy Toronto
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Join Ostomy Toronto for our Monthly Meeting, on Tuesday, February 21 at 7:30pm. All are welcome!
You're invited to join an online meeting:
Title: Ostomy Toronto's Monthly Meeting
Time: Tuesday, February 21, 2023, 7:30 PM
Click here for meeting info & links
Hope to see you there!
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REMINDER: we have switched back to Zoom for our monthly meetings. |
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Ostomy Toronto hopes to continue to give back to this community. Your donations help! We are looking forward to your positive response of a donation of $40.00 towards your annual membership. With your membership, you receive 2 great issues of Ostomy Canada magazine (summer and winter). These issues include inspirational stories, new and innovative product information, and upcoming events in the community. There are so many other benefits to membership that are coming in the next 12 months!
In order to renew your membership, please make your cheque or money order, payable to Ostomy Toronto and mail it along with your name, address, email and phone number to the address below. We would love to receive your donation before February 28. This will help us prepare for our planned launches throughout 2023!
OSTOMY TORONTO
PO Box 38627 RPO Cummer
North York, Ontario
M2K 2Y5 Canada
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Feature Friday: April Wilson |
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April, ( @thatgirlwiththebag on Instragram) celebrated her upcoming ileostomy surgery with a party and an amazingly appropriate cake:
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5 days before my Colon Removal and permanent ileostomy surgery I had a Colon Blowout party including a colon cake 😂 I had never been so happy to get rid an organ. It was all worth it and the best decision I could have made for myself. Don’t let the stigma of bag stop you from saving your own life."
If you would like to share a bit about your ostomy journey, tag @ostomytoronto in your social media posts, or email info@ostomytoronto.com. |
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Rare Disease Day: February 28 |
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via www.rarediseaseday.org
What is rare disease day? Rare Disease Day is the official international awareness-raising campaign for rare diseases which takes place on the last day of February each year. The main objective of the campaign is to raise awareness amongst the general public and decision-makers about rare diseases and their impact on patients’ lives. |
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There are over 300 million people worldwide living with a rare disease. Together across borders, and across the 6000+ rare diseases we work towards more equitable access to diagnosis, treatment, care and social opportunity. |
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What are the universal challenges faced by those living with a rare disease?
- The lack of scientific knowledge and quality information on the disease often results in a delay in diagnosis.
- The need for appropriate quality health care engenders inequalities and difficulties in access to treatment and care. This often results in heavy social and financial burdens on patients.
- Owing to the broad diversity of disorders and relatively common symptoms which can hide underlying rare diseases, initial misdiagnosis is common. In addition, symptoms differ not only from disease to disease, but also from patient to patient suffering from the same disease.
- Research needs to be international to ensure that experts, researchers and clinicians are connected
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Reminder: We Have Switched 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 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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Jim Fitzgerald, President
Amy Taylor-Mitropoulos, Treasurer
Sue Ono, Bookkeeper
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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