March is Colon Cancer Awareness month.  The theme this year, is Family PLZ........ do you know your family history?  ASK!!!!!  Go to their site and see what , fantastic, events they have planned for the month and keep an eye out here for updates as well.  http://www.ccalliance.org

Let's continue to support and fight for a cure!. Some future events to watch for:

Colon Cancer Challenge 5K is April 1st in New York City.  UOAA has a team of walkers, come and join them !!!!!!!!!! http://goo.gl/AsFqu

It is that time again. Join members of the UOAA this year for the Public Policy Forum of the Digestive Disease National Coalition March 4-5.  

Learn more and Link to the DDNC's page at http://www.ddnc.org/policy.asp

This annual event brings together patients, health care providers, industry representatives, lawmakers and their legislative staff for two days of educational programs, legislative updates and advocacy training.

This is an opportunity to learn about how you can help promote advocacy and legislation on Digestive Diseases , legislation that affects those living with them, and future funding for research. 

The U.S. FDA recently issued a safety alert stating that the stomach acid drugs known as proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) may be associated with an increased risk of Clostridium difficile-associated diarrhea.  

PPIs can include: 

• AcipHex (rabeprazole sodium)
• Dexilant (dexlansoprazole)
• Nexium (esomeprazole magnesium) 
• Omeprazole (omeprazole) Over-the-Counter (OTC)
• Prevacid (lansoprazole) and OTC Prevacid 24hr
• Prilosec (omeprazole)  and OTC
• Protonix (pantoprazole sodium)
• Vimovo (esomeprazole magnesium and naproxen)
• Zegerid (omeprazole and Sodium bicarbonate) and OTC

The FDA notice recommends that patients taking PPIs should immediately contact their healthcare professional and seek care if they develop diarrhea that does not improve. 

Find more from the FDA here. 

This came via our friend and fellow-DDNC member, the International Foundation of Functional Gastrointestinal Disorders (IFFGD)

The UOAA Update for February 2012 is now available for viewing on our website @ Ostomy.org.  This months update features information on our Leadership Seminars, Blog, a message from your new ASG Advisory Board Chair, and so much more.  To read the update, see the scribd document below, or view it online here: http://goo.gl/kC67B

Click here to download:

February_2012_Update.pdf (38 KB)

(download)

Click here to download:

February_2012_Update.pdf (38 KB)

The University of Pennsylvania’s "Focus On Gastrointestinal Cancer Conference" is a day designed to address the personal and medical issues facing those with a gastrointestinal cancer; including those in treatment, survivors, their loved ones, relatives and caregivers. 

The conference provides patient-focused information on the latest advances in gastrointestinal cancer risk, prevention, diagnosis, treatment, symptom management and psychosocial issues; as well as the opportunity to network and gain support from other gastrointestinal cancer survivors.

All conference sessions will be recorded for podcasts and available on the Abramson Cancer Center website www.PennMedicine.org/Abramson/GICancerConference after the conference.

Unable to Attend?

Those unable to attend in person, to participate a live web-chat from the conference with our panel of expert clinicians who will answer questions about risk, diagnosis and treatment. To participate in the live web chat or submit a question ahead of time, visit www.OncoLink.org/Webchat. The web-chat will take place 3/2, 11:45 AM, EDT.

About the conference

Time: 7:30 am to 3:00 pm

Date: Friday, March 2, 2012

Location: Hilton Hotel located at 4200 City Avenue, Philadelphia, PA

Registration: OncoLink.org/Conference/GI or call 1-800-789-PENN (7366)

Podcast: http://www.PennMedicine.org/Abramson/GICancerConference 

Cost: FREE

How you can help

Please be sure to follow @PennMedicine on Twitter, hashtag #GICancerACC. We welcome you to “re-tweet” our messages to your followers for our event.

Click here to download:

Penn_GI_Conf_Schedule.pdf (899 KB)

(download)

Click here to download:

Penn_GI_Conf_Schedule.pdf (899 KB)

Do you have any questions or tips & tricks to understanding your ostomy? If you havent already, check out our discussion board and join in on the conversation.  It only requires a free, simple registration. Once registration is completed, you can join in.  Everyone on our discussion board is extremely knowledgeable, kind, and ready and willing to help out anyone who stops by the forum.

The UOAA is proud to announce the appointment of Esten Gose as the Acting Secretary.  Esten will serve a term of one year as the Secretary of the UOAA.   Esten lives in Northern Seattle.  Esten serves as the YODAA Chair, Social Media Chair and is anxious to work with the organization to fulfill its mission.  

Welcome to the team, Esten!

Get Ostomy Answers

The Phoenix magazine provides solutions to the many challenges of living with a colostomy, ileostomy, urostomy or continent diversion (j-pouch, kock pouch, etc.). From skin care to nutrition to intimacy, in-depth articles written by medical professionals, authors and ostomates show readers how to return to a full and rewarding life with an ostomy.Read More

Subscribe Now

Already a subscriber? Renew Today!

Youth Rally, Inc has launched their official Facebook page at: http//www.facebook.com/YouthRallyInc. The facebook page has been created to tell the world about Rally and find lots more teens to come to Rally.

The Youth Rally is a camp that provides a non-threatening environment for kids between the ages of 11 and 17 with any sort of bowel or bladder dysfunction. The Youth Rally is designed to help the kids understand that they are not alone and that everyone has the same opportunities to achieve their goals, regardless of any medical or physical differences. The kids benefit from educational programs, peer support, motivational speakers, friendship, and activities – fashion show, rap sessions, shopping, a trip to an amusement park and a gala dance and graduation celebration on the last night.

Operated by the Youth Rally Committee (YRC) strives to provide a positive support network that highlights independence and individuality as tools youths can use to regain confidence and a sense of belonging. The YRC is devoted to providing a positive atmosphere of support, learning, and personal growth for youths with bowel and/or bladder dysfunction. Every year the Youth Rally teaches campers that everybody, regardless of any medical or physical differences, matters as a person and has the ability to achieve their goals.