United for Education, Advocacy and Fun

Clear your schedule and book your ticket because you won’t want to miss the sixth biennial United Ostomy Associations of America (UOAA) National Conference in Irvine, California, August 22-26.

“People come from all over the country to see old friends and have fun,” explains Ed Pfueller, Communications Manager at UOAA. “But the conference is very welcoming to first timers as well.”

A First Timers Orientation is planned where people can pick up tips from others and make new friends. The conference also offers a wealth of educational sessions targeted to specific concerns, a stoma clinic, support group leadership academies and motivational speakers.

The festivities will begin with a presentation by Yachtswoman, Pam Wall, who raised a family aboard a 39-foot sloop while managing her ostomy without the benefit of a shower or flushing toilet.

Of course, fun is on everybody’s to do list and there will be no shortage of that this summer. Participants can attend an ice cream social, join a fun run or enjoy a barbeque by the pool. And don’t forget Disneyland is a hop, skip and a jump away.

Motivational Speaker Joanna Burgess-Stocks, BSN, RN, CWOCN will cap off the conference with her presentation, “Stepping Stones, Understanding the Power and Importance of Your Story.” Joanna has lived with an ostomy since the age of three, serves on the Management Board of Directors of UOAA and is chair of its advocacy committee.

“We want everybody’s voice to be heard. This is an easy way to mobilize people for action,” says Ed Pfueller.

Make your mark today with the UOAA

Apart from the upcoming conference, the UOAA is working tirelessly to advocate for the rights of people with chronic conditions on the national level. They advocate on Capitol Hill and also by using an online advocacy technology tool to alert members and the ostomy community to various issues and help them contact their elected officials.

And there's even more on the horizon! Don’t miss the fourth annual Run for Resilience Ostomy 5K in Durham, North Carolina, on October 7. Other runs will be held in Cookeville, Tennessee, on October 7 and in Boise, Idaho, on October 14. Runs in Portland, Oregon, are still to be announced. You can even run or walk your own virtual 5K race on October 7. All proceeds benefit the UOAA. To sign up for a race and additional information, go to ostomy5k.org.

Go to ostomy.org for more information or to register for the UOAA National Conference.