OSTOMY BASICS

An ostomy is a surgically created opening made into the bowel or urinary tract for the purpose of eliminating waste materials (feces/urine) from the body.

OSTOMY RESOURCES

Find out about the resources available, financial support, and education and recognition offered by the government and other non-profit institutions.

GET INVOLVED

Thank you for your interest in volunteering with us. We are a non-profit volunteer organization dedicated to all people living with an ostomy, and their circles of support, helping them live life to the fullest through advocacy, awareness, collaboration and support.

OUR MISSION

Ostomy Canada Society is a non-profit volunteer organization dedicated to all people living with an ostomy, and their circles of support, helping them live life to the fullest through advocacy, awareness, collaboration and support.

A little bit about Ostomy Canada
Support

Find Support

Ostomy Canada Society Chapters, Peer Support Groups (PSG) and Satellites have been organized, and are meant to provide an opportunity for persons who have had or may have ostomy surgery and their families, partners, caregivers and friends to meet, provide support, enhance understanding and share information. Chapters often invite a health care professional, such as an NSWOC (Nurses Specialized in Wound, Ostomy and Continence), a physician, pharmacist, or dietician to speak at the Chapter or PSG meeting.

Cyclist checking on a map
Male assistant teaching senior retired elderly old woman how to use her tablet computer
Information

Ostomy 101

Ostomy surgery is a life-saving procedure that allows bodily waste to pass through a surgically created stoma on the abdomen into a prosthetic known as a ‘pouch’ or ‘ostomy bag’ on the outside of the body or an internal surgically created pouch for continent diversion surgeries. An ostomy may be necessary due to birth defects, cancer, inflammatory bowel disease, diverticulitis, incontinence and many other medical conditions. It is estimated that 135,000 people in Canada have an ostomy.

Are you ready to become aN ostomy supporter?

Even though I’ve had my ileostomy for 16 years, I still learn from other ostomates and medical professionals via Ostomy Canada Magazine, Ostomy Canada Connects, Chapter newsletters, and from attending ostomy meetings.
Wes R. Calgary, AB
Without Ostomy Canada, I would not have had support or have been able to start up my Peer Support Group and help the many people that I have, live life to the fullest while living with an Ostomy!
Meghan H, Kingston, ON
I thought my life had ended with a colostomy but I discovered I got quite attached to my bag over the months I had it. Thanks to my local support group for showing me it was not fatal and that many people live very comfortably with it!
Olive (OJ) G.
Volunteer

Get Involved

We provide support to people living with an ostomy in various forms – Education, peer support, information, webinars, support groups, local chapters etc. Do you want to be involved?
Support Group Background
Young volunteers encouraging people to donate
Donation

Donate Now

Your contribution will enable Ostomy Canada Society Inc. (OCS) to continue to provide support and encouragement to others. Our General Fund supports Advocacy (Disability Tax Credit, Access to NSWOCs, Ostomy reimbursement programs), Visitors Program, Online Community and development of new tools, Webinars and information services, Education Awards Program (NSWOC and Post-secondary), National Office – administration, operations, part time staff and Ostomy Support Groups etc.
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