fowc newsletter spring 2013

7/30/2019 FOWC Newsletter Spring 2013

1/13

1

Friends of OstomatesWorldwide Canada

WWW.FOWC.CA

Volume 9 No.1 Spring 2013

GOALS AND OBJECTIVES

OFFICERS AND

DIRECTORS

PresidentLorne Aronson, ON

Vice PresidentRichard Olley, ON

TreasurerRosemary Gaffray, MB

SecretaryLorrie Pismenny, MB

DIRECTORS

Di Bracken, ON

Pat Cimmeck, AB

Jean-Pierre Lapointe, QC

Ruth Kenney,NS

Paula Nixon,ON

Friends of Ostomates Worldwide Canada endeavors to improv

the quality of life of people with ostomies and assist in educatingtheir caregivers in countries where the latest technology is not

available.

Friends of Ostomates Worldwide Canada works in cooperation

with the International Ostomy Association in shipping products.

In February 2013 Hollister Canada again hosted a Sort and Pack event for

This is something that Hollister has been doing for the past twenty-five years!

This event was a record setter where we had 36 volunteers coming togethe

sort and pack ostomy supplies. Volunteers came from ostomy chapterssouthern Ontario (Toronto,Halton,Hamilton,Niagra) employees of Hollister a

their families.

A great lunch was served and we thank Mike Dury for organizing this ev

once again!

There was a total of 1590 Kilograms(3500 pounds) packed, weighed a

stacked.

This shipment went to Kenya Nairobi at the Aga Kahn Hospital. Lawre

Gichini who is the nursing contact in Kenya says that support from us is mappreciated and important. In Kenya ostomy products are not readily availa

and if they are the products are so expensive that they are out of reach for m

people there.


2/13

2

PRESIDENTS MESSAGE

As I travel through my journey of life, one thing comes clear to me. That is, that no matter where you

live, you have certain basic rights and one that is important to me is the rights of Ostomates. Being one

I cannot imagine living in a country like Kenya and not being able to afford or even get the ostomy

equipment needed to enjoy ones life.

It is for this reason that FOWC exists! As it is written by Di Bracken in this newsletter, how one person

can make a difference and an organization like FOWC can make a difference as well.

We have concentrated on Kenya over the past 3 years while not forgetting our commitments to

countries like Algeria, Nepal, and others.

While we pay for the shipping we do not get any government funding for shipping costs to these

countries. We are a self funding organization and your help is needed for us to continue our work

Please take the time to fill out the donation/membership page included in this newsletter and send

in your contribution.

Remember your donation is used in its entirety for getting these much needed supplies to the end

users! No middlemen are involved, we hire the shipper and it goes directly to our secure contact in

the appointed country. We work hard to make sure that supplies get to the neediest places!

Please join us in Halifax Nova Scotia in August for our Annual General Meeting in conjunction with the

Chapter Information Session hosted by the Metro Halifax Chapter,Saturday, August 17 2013 at 3:30

p.m. at the Bethune Ballroom at the Victoria General Hospital site of the QEII Health Sciences Center.

Lorne


3/13

3

FOWC SUPPORTS STOMA WORLD KENYA

By Di Bracken

One of the quotes that has enriched my life comes from John F

Kennedy and it is, One person can make a difference, and

everyone should try. As well as one person can make a

difference, an organization can make a difference and

those of us who belong to FOWC know this to be true.

We are making a difference and over the past three years, we

have made a great difference in lives of ostomates in Kenya

through helping the association Stoma World Kenya.

And this association came into being as a result of the work started by a young male nurse, Lawrence IkahuGichini working at the Aga Khan University Hospital, Nairobi Kenya. It is the first hospital in the country to

take an interest in improving the standards of Stoma Care because of the interest shown by one person

Lawrence. He saw the difficulties faced by those who had ostomy surgery and convinced those with whom he

worked to help establish a self help group for ostomates.

Four years ago in November, the same week Obama was winning the first ever black American presidency and

the rallying call was, Yes we can, Kenyan nurses were also saying Yes we can to better stomacare. Prilly

Stevens from the World Council of Enterostomal therapists (WCET) presented a weeks training course for

nurses from around Kenya on the invitation of the Aga Khan University Hospital, Nairobi. Lawrence was there

participating and he and knew that with an increase in cancer of the bowel especially in younger people, tha

there was a need for help on an outreach basis . Professionals from the Aga Khan University Hospital, Nairob

took on this task and soon there were enough ostomates to form a local group called Stoma World Kenya.

DANSAC FOUNDATION

Lawrence knew that if the group was to be successful he would need help from outside the country and from

browsing through the website in his spare time, he found information about the Dansac Foundation Project. This

project was initiated to improve the quality of life for people living with a stoma, their families, and their

caregivers. The first committee meeting was held in 2009 and I was privileged to be asked to be a member of the

Foundation being an ostomate and representing IOA.

In Autumn 2010 we received an application from Lawrence with the project title, Campaign to Launch a

National Ostomates Support Group/ National Association with the main objectives being:

To define the number of current ostomy patients in Kenya, and if possible, to identify theirmost pressing needs.To found a national association, to help address patient problems, e.g. stigma, lack ofappliances, ignorance, lack of human resources to take care of ostomates


4/13

4

The Dansac Foundation Board decided to support Lawrence in this project with financial support as well as

support from the Board members who were willing to use their unique knowledge and network in support of

this project. I agreed to follow up with the IOA concerning the establishment of a National association in Kenya

which would be accepted as a member of IOA. I continued to work with Lawrence providing assistance and so

the work began. The group was formed successfully meeting at the Aga Kahn University Hospital but Lawrence

encouraged the group to look beyond Nairobi to establish a National association. His vision was embraced by

the group and Stoma World Kenya was formed in September 2012 and accepted as a member country of

IOA.

FOWC sends supplies to Nairobi.

In Kenya the only social medical insurance is the National Hospital Insurance Fund provided by the government

but it requires membership and a monthly contribution. The amount of contribution depends on the

individuals earning and only 5% of the ostomy population can afford this so ostomates are left bei ng unable to

pay for any ostomy supplies that are available. As I started to work with Lawrence I realized that the most

important issue for ostomates was getting appliances and so I naturally turned to Lorne Aronson, our presidentand so our connection with Stoma World Kenya began.


5/13

5

OUR SHIPMENTS TO NAIROBI

CONTROL OF SUPPLIES

Supplies are sent to the Aga Kahn Hospital and under

the control of

Lawrence Ikahu Gichini and Sally Agallo secretary of

Stoma World Kenya.

For those who live in Nairobi, supplies are given out on a monthly basis with each ostomate selecting their

supplies which are recorded before they leave the hospital. However supplies are also sent to other cities in

Kenya Eldorat, Embu, Kisumu, Nyeri as well as the neighbouring countries of Tanzania and Uganda.


6/13

6

OSTOMATES RECEIVE SUPPLIES

Di Bracken Lawrence Ikahu Gichini, Rosine van den Buick

Rosine van den Buick , President of the European Enterostomal therapists and myself were delighted to visit

Nairobi and present The Visitor Training programme developed by the International Ostomy Association as wel

as the ISCAP programme. We were there for a week last December, 2012. There was tremendous interest from

the attendees and we adjusted the programme in response to the participation from those present.

The Visitor Training Programme and The International Stoma Care Advocacy Programme ( ISCAP ) -


7/13

7

Questionnaire for those with an ostomy and then a Needs Assessment programme

SOME INTERESTING INFORMATION FROM OSTOMATES

No professionally trained ET nurse in Kenya. Only nurse with experience is Lawrence who works at the

Aga Kahn Hospital in Nairobi which is a private hospital.

Ostomy product available for purchase is at one outlet in Nairobi. Only product available is from

Coloplast and is extremely expensive. Out of reach of the ordinary person.

No government reimbursement.

In Kenya we have no access to quality stoma care products. On the rare occasion you find some they are

much too expensive for me to buy. There are no ET trained nurses in our country. Most of the employers

think somebody cant work in this condition. If you suffer from cancer they think the next step is death

Unable to work you are left with no income and yet you need support for your medical expenses.

Stoma World Kenya was formed in 2010. I am the secretary of the group. We meet monthly for

psychosocial support. We distribute stoma appliances to members within Nairobi and ostomates outside

Nairobi. We are creating awareness through media coverage; Television / radio / Internet.

People do not like to associate with you because they feel and think that one is an outcast in the

community.

We need policies for ostomates like care in terms of treatment. We need free treatment and the

provision of bags. We need ostomates to be accepted in the community because we are human beings

like any other person with basic needs.

We have very few doctors with knowledge of ostomy surgery and especially on cancer. Therefore some

people who are not financially healthy end up dying at home. If we had enough doctors to do surgery it

could be easier to reach them and also cheaper to have surgery

I am still not yet employed and I am having difficulty in paying my hospital bills.

I am a housewife and I am not employed. My ostomy has affected my daily life partially.

I had to resign my position where I was employed due to the cancer problem.

I lost my employment due to long hospitalization where I was getting my daily bread.

I am a teacher by profession and after my operation it was difficult to work for lack of colostomy bags

and the fear of being shunned. I had this fear of students complaining of bad odour . I decided to qui

teaching altogether.


8/13

8

HIGHLIGHTS

HOW TO ORGANIZE A STOMA CLINIC

This was of great interest to the attendees as none of them had access to a Stoma Clinic, not even at the AgaKahn Hospital. Instead of standing up and saying this is what you have to do, Rosine asked questions. What is

the first thing you need? How can you get this? So the questions went on with tremendous learning as to what

is needed to establish a Stoma Clinic in the their home area when they reached home. An excellent session.

SKIN ISSUES

Given that there are no ostomy supplies available and very limited medications for the skin, this was an

important topic. Here again, Rosine showed her professionalism. She realized that her Power Point

presentation needed some changes as many of the products available in Europe were not readily available inKenya and if they were it was too expensive for many to purchase. Rosine involved Lawrence to see what was

available locally and it was a great session with everybody sharing. It was very productive.

OSTOMATES CONCERNS ABOUT SURGERY

This session was conducted by Rosine, Lawrence and myself. To be honest, it was difficult to deal with these

concerns as there is little anyone can do when ostomy supplies are not available. Also it appears that not al

doctors who perform ostomy surgery have received training on the construction of a stoma. Another difficulty

is that there is no teaching for nurses in regard to stoma care. Discussion revolved around how ostomy groups

can influence medical professionals in regard to these concerns.

HOW TO DEVELOP CARE LOCALLY

This was an interesting session as we had five local scenes to think about. I am amazed at the bonding that has

happened among the ostomates and there was genuine sharing of ideas for developing care locally. This session

in many ways provided the background material for the group Action Plans that were developed on Friday.


9/13

9

RESULTS OF QUESTIONNAIRE FOR PEOPLE WITH A STOMA

NAIROBI , KENYA AGA KAHN HOSPITAL, DECEMBER 2012

All the ostomates who attended the training session were asked to complete a questionnaire from the IOAInternational Stoma Care Advocacy Programme (ISCAP). There were ostomates from five different regions

in Kenya - Eldorat, Embu. Kisumu, Nyeri and Nairobi . The questionnaire was given so that we could get a

clear picture of the difficulties facing ostomates throughout Kenya. These results were tabulated so that we

could determine from the individual replies, the commonalities among the ostomates.

Group brainstorming at the ISCAP meeting

Evening closing dance and prayer

What a delightful experience in Nairobi. I hope that I can be there for the follow up meeting in 2014


10/13

10

Product Donation Criteria

Only unused ostomy products can be accepted. Do not include liquids. Pack supplies incartons weighing less than 18 kgs (40 lbs) each. Include your name and address on

both the inside and outside of your parcel. Please label the cartons clearly andsend them to the nearest collection centre.

Please send donations in cartons which can be handled by one person.

If possible, please do not remove product from its original box or package, as it is then

difficult to sort and match properly.

If product is removed from its original packaging, please do the following :

put it in a plastic bag with the label from the end of the box showing the brand, size,

and product number (see photobelow) do not mix sizes or brands in the same plastic bag

Please DO NOT send the following, as we cannot forward these overseas:

Liquids or aerosols

Soiled products

Syringes

Prescription or other over the counter medications

Partial tubes of ostomy paste

Partial bottles of ostomy powder


11/13

11

Communicating by mail can be sent to:344 Bloor Suite 501, Toronto ON M5S 3A7

DONATION COLLECTIONCENTRES

Donations of Ostomy products from Ontario, Quebec, Nova Scotia,New Brunswick P.E.I, Newfoundland can be sent to:

Richard Olley1266 MonksPassage

Oakville, ON L6M 1R4

Donations of Ostomy products from Saskatchewan, Alberta andBritish Columbia can be sent to:

CB Medical3900 106 Ave SECalgary, AB T2C 5B6

Donations of money gratefully appreciated:

Friends of Ostomates Worldwide Canada

C/O Lorrie Pismenny

#1101- 80 Snow

Winnipeg MB R3T 0P8We send a receip t for any amount d onated

Communicating by email

[email protected]

[email protected]

[email protected]


12/13

12

We recognize and thank the following individuals and business for

their Ostomy Product Donations

Prince George Regional Hospital Alba Medical Stomo Mdical

1475 Edmonton Street 1701 Lakeshore West 599 Boul. St. Martin

Prince George BC V2M 1S2 Mississauga ON L5J 1J4 Laval QC H7M 1Y9

Lawtons Drugs Shoppers Home Health Care Marilou Paradis

496 Topsail Road 528 Lawrence West 20 Rang Petit Village

St. Johns NL A1E 2C2 Toronto ON M6A 1A1 Sainte. Croix QC G0S 2H0

Nordon Drugs Ltd. Dell Pharmacy St. Pauls Hospital

1610 IsabellaStreet East 1119 Fennell Ave. 1702 20th

Street

Saskatoon SK S7J 0C1 Hamilton ON L8T 1S4 Saskatoon SK S7M 0Z9

Pharmacie Jean Coutu Sobeys Parmacy Starkman Surgical

7275 Langelier Blvd. 752 Sackville Drive 1243 Bathurst St.Montreal QC H1S 1V6 Lower Sackville NS B4E 1R7 Toronto ON M5R 3H3

Shoppers Home Health Care Mr. Minerva Holton Winnipeg Ostomy Assoc.

1801 Dundas St. East 208 Waverley Ave. 204-825 Sherbrook ST.

Whitby ON. L1N 2C3 Moncton NB E1C 7V4 Winnipeg MB R2M 4A7

Dell Pharmacy Mr. Jean-Pierre Lapointe The Ottawa Hospital

1119 Fennell Ave. 949 rue Pierre Lacroix 1053 Carling Ave.

Hamilton ON L8T 1S2 Montral QC H7M 1Y9 Ottawa ON K1Y 4E9

OOS Medical

60 Shorting Road

Scarbourough ON M1S 3S3

WE STIRVE TO BE AS ACCURATE AS POSSIBLE, IF YOUR NAME HAS BEEN ADVERANTLY LEFT OUT, PLEASE LET US KNOW


13/13

DONOR / MEMBERSHIP APPLICATION FOR FOW CANADA

Yes, I would l ike to impro ve the l i fe of ostom ates wo r ldwide by apply ing for thefol lowing m embership / don at ion

Individual $30.00 Individual Patron $50.00 Corporate $100.00Corporate Patron$250.00Chapter, Group or Association - $1.00 per member to a maximum of $150.00

Pleaseac cep tmydona t ionof$

Name:

Address:

City: Province: PC:

Phone: E-mail:

FOW Canada is a self supporting association which requires your continued assistance in raising the fundsrequired to cover the cost of shipping surplus ostomy products to the countries where the need is most urgent.

Official receipts for tax purposes are issued for all cash donations, regardless of the amount.

Friends of Ostomates Worldwide Canada C/O Lorrie Pismenny

#1101- 80 Snow Winnipeg MB R3T 0P8

************************************************************************************************

COUNTRIES WE HAVE SHIPPED TO:

AlgeriaChile Cuba Panama

Ukraine Argentina India Columbia

Philippines Rwanda NepalKenya

fowc newsletter spring 2013

Documents