Our mission is to improve the quality of life for BIPOC who are affected by IBD, Digestive Disorders and associated Chronic Illnesses; through Community, Research, Education, and Advocacy.
Ostomy Awareness Day, held annually on the first Saturday of October, is an opportunity to celebrate ostomates and spread ostomy awareness.
According to the National Institution of Health, about 100,000 people have ostomy surgery of the bowel each year. A little over 15% of ostomies in general are due to inflammatory diseases and obstructions. While ostomy surgery helps patients better navigate their illnesses, there is still more work to do to bring awareness, support, and an increased quality of life to our ostomates and their care partners.
Show your support by participating in COCCI activities now through October 7th.
References:
Hendren S, Hammond K, Glasgow SC, et al. Clinical practice guidelines for ostomy surgery. NIH Diseases of the Colon & Rectum. 2015;58(4):375–387. doi:10.1097/DCR.0000000000000347
BMHC Health Services Research: Who are the ostomy patients and caregivers attending Portuguese community pharmacies? A cross-sectional study
To our Ambassadors & Community Members, thank you for using your superpower–Your Voice–to bring awareness to the diversity in ostomy patients & families.
Ostomates lead regular lives involving simple or complex family dynamics, dating stories, work-life balance, and then some! This series will talk to patients about their lives while also dispelling myths that are perpetuated far too often. Check out these conversations!
Leading up to Ostomy Awareness Day, Color of Crohn's & Chronic Illness (COCCI) coordinates a photoshoot for ostomates to celebrate their strengths and spread awareness around ostomies. During this shoot, we pulled community members to have a quick discussion on topics that often aren't discussed publicly.
"When you know, you know..." Some assume that dating is out of the question for ostomates, but the reality is ostomates find love everyday... On this segment, Latonia Ward and LaTesha Harrison have a discussion about how they found love and tips for those who are unsure about dating.
Leading up to Ostomy Awareness Day, Color of Crohn's & Chronic Illness (COCCI) coordinates a photoshoot for ostomates to celebrate their strengths and spread awareness around ostomies. During this shoot, we pulled community members to have a quick discussion on topics that often aren't discussed publicly.
"People still have it (ostomies) too and they still live their life, but I was so scared..." There are countless assumptions and narratives created around ostomates and ostomies. There are added complexities when that ostomate has a digestive disease like IBD. On this segment, COCCI Ambassadors have a discussion about ostomy related myths they hear about and give the real about what normality looks like for them.
COCCI’s premiere support group for ostomates of all kinds. OstoChat is designed to bring the black and brown people of the ostomy community together to share tips, advice and to just chat about their experiences living with an ostomy.
A continuation of our 5 Question Series, Ayana, Candice, and LaTesha discussed myths associated with having an ostomy, discussed tips on ostomy care and resources, and shared ways that ostomates can be supported.
This event is hosted in collaboration with United Ostomy Associations of America, Inc. For more information on their Ostomy Awareness efforts, head to UOAA.
A conversation on our Instagram about living life as an Ostomate. Join our live to chat with LaTesha Harrison and Ashley Turner, two COCCI Ambassadors and Ostomates.
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