stoma aid collage colostomy association bag of life

Give someone a #BagofLife

Which would you choose?

colostomy association bag of life

The Colostomy Association are launching a crowdfunding campaign for Stoma Aid.  You can change the lives of thousands of people with a stoma across the world by helping spread the word about Stoma Aid by pledging a Facebook post or Tweet in our Thunderclap campaign.

Millions of people worldwide have a stoma – where an opening has been made on their abdomen which allows waste to pass out of their body. For these people, a stoma bag is necessary to securely, conveniently and safely collect output from their stoma.

However, thousands of people with a stoma across the world are forced to use tin cans, carrier bags and bits of cloth because they are unable to afford the cost of a stoma bag. In Papua New Guinea there are only two stoma care nurses in the entire country; in the Philippines a single bag costs a week’s wages.

For people with a stoma in developing countries, infection and hernias are extremely common as a result of them having to use tin cans and carrier bags. Many people are left unable to work or leave their home because of embarrassment and medical complications.

Each month, tens of thousands of stoma bags are thrown away in the UK as they are no longer needed. We will collect these unused bags and distribute them to people in need in developing countries across the world.

It will only take £22,000 to change the lives of thousands of people across the world. Help us spread the word about Stoma Aid and give someone a #BagOfLife.

Please get involved.

The last two years have been so hard, yet I am lucky enough to live in the UK and the NHS has supported me fully both with the actual surgeries but also with a constant free supply of ileostomy bags and a trained stoma nurse on call.  Sometimes I wonder how different my life would be if I lived in a country where I had to pay for my treatment and supplies.  But then I cannot even IMAGINE how it would be to have no access to ostomy bags, to live in a country where I had to make do with bags, plastic, cans or bottles.

It is heartbreaking to think about the people who are dealing with this every day.  To lose your bowel and have to have an ostomy is tough enough, but to then deal with feeling dirty, smelly and humiliated and have to create a bag out of rubbish is unbelievable.

Please pledge a Facebook message and a tweet.  It takes two minutes and means on 1st May when this campaign launches, it will do so with a huge boost on social media.

 

Thank you

Sam xx

19 replies
  1. Janet Purwanto
    Janet Purwanto says:

    This is great. I live in Indonesia and I can imagine people in some parts of the country also suffer in this way so I hope Indonesia will be included in this campaign!

    Reply
  2. Janet Purwanto
    Janet Purwanto says:

    This is great. I live in Indonesia and I can imagine people in some parts of the country also suffer in this way so I hope Indonesia will be included in this campaign!

    Reply
  3. Janet Purwanto
    Janet Purwanto says:

    This is great! I live in Indonesia and I can imagine that people in some parts of the country also suffer in this way. I hope that Indonesia will be included in this campaign. xx

    Reply
  4. Janet Purwanto
    Janet Purwanto says:

    This is great! I live in Indonesia and I can imagine that people in some parts of the country also suffer in this way. I hope that Indonesia will be included in this campaign. xx

    Reply
  5. Maeghan
    Maeghan says:

    As someone who works in healthcare, it makes me sad each time I realize that not everyone is fortunate enough to have the supplies and care they need. I’ve shared your post on Facebook and bookmarked the page. What an important cause to support! Thanks for informing us.

    Reply
  6. Maeghan
    Maeghan says:

    As someone who works in healthcare, it makes me sad each time I realize that not everyone is fortunate enough to have the supplies and care they need. I’ve shared your post on Facebook and bookmarked the page. What an important cause to support! Thanks for informing us.

    Reply
  7. Kristie
    Kristie says:

    This is an absolutely amazing cause! I had a stoma and was unable to afford the bags even with my insurance because my deductible was outrageous. A very kind woman from the UK saw a post that I had made on facebook and sent me a HUGE supply of bags and supplies. She was a lifesaver and I can never thank her enough. It is horrible that someone would have to use a tin can not to mention, I am sure it is painful. Thanks for sharing this!

    Reply
  8. Kristie
    Kristie says:

    This is an absolutely amazing cause! I had a stoma and was unable to afford the bags even with my insurance because my deductible was outrageous. A very kind woman from the UK saw a post that I had made on facebook and sent me a HUGE supply of bags and supplies. She was a lifesaver and I can never thank her enough. It is horrible that someone would have to use a tin can not to mention, I am sure it is painful. Thanks for sharing this!

    Reply
  9. Donald Barbarie
    Donald Barbarie says:

    I have ulcerative colitis now for 30 years I feel kind of lucky that I have found a way to keep it in check but the impact it has on my life is a lot. If I ever have to have colostomy bag it would probably be welcome I have suffered enough.
    My sister have a colostomy bag due to cancer she’s doing well and still enjoying life to the fullest..
    The way I see it you can still look attractive and sexy with or without a colostomy Sam you have demonstrated very well
    Thank you for sharing that with us.You are bringing awareness to many many people I’m from Ontario Canada And commenting on you blog.
    Everyone have to

    Reply

Trackbacks & Pingbacks

  1. […] a few months ago I told you about a crowdfunding campaign for Stoma Aid run by the Colostomy Association to give someone a #BagforLife […]

  2. […] a few months ago I told you about a crowdfunding campaign for Stoma Aid run by the Colostomy Association to give someone a #BagforLife […]

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