Step Up For Ostomy 2022 Recap
Calgary Ostomy Society hosted the Step Up For Ostomy on October 1, 2022, with about 75 people in attendance for an awareness walk and Ostomy Expo.
Calgary Ostomy Society hosted a fundraiser and awareness event called Step Up For Ostomy on October 1, 2022. It was another successful event this year. It was the perfect fall day, warm and sunny, for a walk through the Inglewood Bird Sanctuary. We saw an increase in participation from 50 people last year to approximately 75 this year. However, pledges and donations raised approximately the same amount as in 2021, for a grand total of $4670. Our fundraising efforts support the Ostomy Canada Society, with a 10% rebate of this returning to our local chapter. The event costs were sponsored in part by Ostomy Canada as well as our rebate. Special thanks go to Craig Bean at CB Medical for covering the Inglewood Community Hall rental for us!
Ostomy Expo at Step Up For Ostomy Calgary
Overall, Calgary held the largest Step Up For Ostomy event in Canada! Some other Ostomy Canada chapters and peer support groups that organized an awareness event included Vancouver, Regina, Ottawa, Oakville/Halton-Peel, and Moncton. What made our event unique? A big draw this year was the Ostomy Expo. Several representatives from the major ostomy manufacturers joined us, including Convatec, Coloplast, Hollister, Salts (West tech), Marlen (Nightingale), as well as reps from local AADL-approved ostomy vendors such as CB Medical, Kenron Pharmacy, and Okotoks HC Pharmacy. We thank these vendors for participating and also for providing samples to attendees.
Some Special Helpers at Step Up For Ostomy
Another highlight this year was that the Ostomy Youth Campers participated, greatly benefiting us as they assisted with the registration booth and other odd jobs. Photographer Sean Currie once again captured a bevy of beautiful photos and provided his Go Pro video camera to capture footage of the awareness walk, which the campers operated.
Special thanks to campers Mady, Noel, Ollie, and photographer Sean for agreeing to share their story for the Step Up For Ostomy 2022 Youtube video. Be sure to check that out below, as well as Sean’s photo gallery, (you can order prints here). Below is a selection of the many images, including our awareness walk at the Inglewood Bird Sanctuary and the Ostomy Expo at the Inglewood Community Hall.
Step Up For Ostomy 2022 Photo Gallery
We have many volunteers and donors to thank. We couldn’t do it without you!
