Ostomy Education Day

Yesterday, October 27th, was the annual Ostomy Education Day presented by the Ostomy Care and Supply Centre in New Westminster. This is where I get all my supplies and see the WOCN nurses. Every year they put on an education day for everyone connected (or not) with ostomies and/or bowel, bladder disease. There were several vendors and exhibitors there including Hollister, Convatec, Na'Scent, Crohns and Colitis foundation, Bladder Cancer foundation etc. etc. Three keynote speakers gave very interesting talks on "Updates on colorectal cancer in Canada", "Updates in Inflammatory Bowel Disease in Canada" and "Genetics and Bowel/Bladder Cancer in Canada". I was fascinated by all of them. Lunch at the Hilton Hotel was included. All of this was offered FOR FREE to anyone who wanted to participate! I learned so much and was so happy to be in a room with 200 other people who were as interested in these topics as I was and who were also not afraid to speak of their trials, tribulations and successes. The exhibitors were eager to discuss ostomy issues and were competant and comfortable giving advice about appliance use and maintenance.
I want to express my sincere thanks for all of the hard work that went into making this such a wonderful day. I will definitely be back next year if only to win one of the fantastic door prizes.
Great job everyone.
Michelle Merry