Support groups & online resources

Ostomy Canada is a volunteer-based organization offering mutual aid and moral support for people who have had, or will have, intestinal or urinary diversion surgery (ostomy surgery).

Spouses and Significant Others – A group within the Ostomy Canada network that supports spouses and significant others of people with an ostomy.

The Vancouver United Ostomy Association is a volunteer, non-profit support group for people with ostomies, their friends and families.

“A Handbook for New Ostomy Patients” by Vancouver Ostomy Association Download

Sometimes it helps to meet another person with an ostomy. Ostomy Canada offers the Ostomy Visitor Program. A person with a stoma will contact you so you can get a first-hand perspective on life after ostomy surgery

Vancouver Chapter

Ostomy Canada

Blogs, personal stories & online communities

www.veganostomy.ca A blog about living with IBD and an ostomy. Good product reviews and other information

www.meetanostomate.org Talk to people with ostomies, get support, find friends or start a relationship.

www.uncoverostomy.org Spreading positive ostomy awareness. Jessica Grossman is in her 20’s and Canadian and has an ileostomy.

www.potentialsmanagement.com Jo-Ann Tremblay, Author and living with a colostomy called “Percy”

www.livingandlaughing.com Brenda Elsagher, Author and comedian and has an ostomy

www.margaretsbelly.com – Canadian, young, belly dancing woman with an ostomy.

www.weneedideas.ca – Intestinal Disease Education and Awareness Society

Medically-based resources

www.badgut.org  – GI Society- excellent resource information and brochures

www.trustedtherapies.com – Personalized health information about Crohn’s and UC. A team of patients and internationally‐renowned physicians.

www.bladdercancercanada.org – resource site for people with bladder cancer

www.colorectal-cancer.ca -Non-profit dedicated to promoting awareness, offering education and advocating for a screening policy. Provides links to related articles.

www.crohnsandcolitis.ca. – Information and support for people with Crohn’s and Colitis

Ostomy organizations

www.ostomyinternational.org  – Association created to improve the life of Ostomates worldwide

www.fowc.ca – Friends of Ostomates Worldwide Canada – A non-profit organization that collects unused ostomy supplies to distribute to needy countries.

Nurses Specialized in Wound, Ostomy & Continence

www.caet.ca – Nurses Specialized in Wound, Ostomy & Continence Canada