Good news for our Medi-Cal patients!

Thanks to a grass root effort from our PCR members and UOAA in conjunction with industry (Adva Med, a group companies which Convatec is part of) the California Assembly voted down the cuts to the Medi-Cal program. While the governor can overturn this decision even if the senate and assembly both voted the cuts down, this takes a lot of pressure off the situation.

Thanks to all who contacted their legislators. You made it happen!

Marilyn Magoffin  G/A Chair

UOAA 2009 WOC (ET)

Nurse of the Year Award Application

The United Ostomy Associations of America is requesting its Affiliated Support Groups to submit nominees for the 2009 WOC (ET) Nurse of the Year Award. The award ceremony will be made at the Wound, Ostomy and Continence Nurse Society's Annual Conference June 7th, 2009 in St. Louis, Missouri. An article about the recipient will be published in "The Phoenix" magazine.

Download the application here (Microsoft Word Doc format)

Pacific Coast Region Sponsorship Application For UOAA Youth Rally Counselor

Each year Pacific Coast Region of the Wound, Ostomy & Continence Nurses Society will provide funds to partially defray the cost of the registration fee for a CWOCN who is an active member of the Pacific Coast Region.

Download:

www.rally4youth.org/apps/YRC_Counselor_Application_2009.pdf

SELECTION CRITERIA
UOAA YOUTH RALLY COUNSELOR
SPONSORSHIP

PCR BOARD RESPONSIBILITY

• Approves funds to cover registration fee at the transition meeting annually
• Vice President to post application on the PCR website no later than January 31 of each calendar year or earliest date applications available
• Board members to review applications and select an applicant(s) to receive the designated funds by June 30 of each calendar year

CRITERIA

• Active member of PCR
• Completed UOAA application
• Acceptance by UOAA as counselor
• PCR Board members will review all applications and assign designated funds to partially cover registration fees
  • If a Board member is applying for the funds then that member(s) will refrain from the review process
• If no applications are received the PCR Board will exercise one of the following options
  • Roll the funds over to the next calendar year
  • Make the funds available to defray costs for a youth attending the rally from the PCR region
  • Return the funds to PCR region's operating budget

MAY 8, 2008

May is National Fitness and Family Wellness Month

GREAT COMEBACKS VENTURE

For those of you that planned to follow the exploits of Rob Hill, as recorded in blogs from his team's base camp in Nepal, the 34-year-old ileostomate mountain climber from British Columbia, and ConvaTec's international ambassador, who took on the challenge to climb the tallest mountain on each of the seven continents, you will be disappointed to learn that the mission to climb Mt. Everest had to be scrubbed when Rob experienced a major flare-up of his Crohn's Disease. Having climbed six of the seven highest mountains only Mt. Everest remained in his "No guts, know glory" challenge to be the first ileostomate and Crohn's patient to make the climb. You can carefully plan logistic details, train for high altitude and in general do everything possible o ensure success, but Crohn's Disease is that one uncontrollable factor that patients have to live with. Due to his courageous spirit and determination we know that Mt. Everest has not seen the last of Rob Hill. We all will have the opportunity to share his moment of glory ... not this year, but surely in the future.

CONVATEC SOLD

The following news report is shared with you for your information.

NEW YORK - (Business Wire) Bristol-Myers Squibb Company (NYSE:BMY) announced that it has signed a definitive agreement to sell its ConvaTec business unit to Nordic Capital Fund VII ("Nordic Capital") and Avista Capital Partners ("Avista") for $4.1 billion. ConvaTec is a world leader in the development and marketing of innovative wound therapeutics and ostomy care products.

Dave Johnson, who will remain the CEO of ConvaTec, said, "I am excited to partner with Nordic Capital and Avista Capital Partners as we transition ConvaTec to a stand-alone company. Both firms have a proven track record of success in the healthcare industry. They are passionate believers in ConvaTec's future growth and will be strong supporters of the ConvaTec business. Their deep experience in guiding strategy and backing companies will help take ConvaTec to the next level of success as an independent company". The transaction is subject to customary regulatory approvals and delivery of ConvaTec's audited 2007 financial statements. The closing is anticipated in the third quarter of 2008.

GYGIG 2008 RIDE SCHEDULE

Spring is here, and with it the start of the Get Your Guts in Gear bike rides. The first ride will start at Pier 54 on the waterfront in New York City on Friday morning June 6^th at 6:00 am and finish up 210 miles later at the Skidmore University campus in Saratoga Springs, New York, on Sunday afternoon, June 8^th. Despite wind, rain, heat and attacks from startled deer, we know that this valiant group of riders will make it through... promoting the fact that neither an inflammatory bowel disease nor an ostomy can limit your ability to accomplish great things!

The 2008 GYGIG ride schedule is:

In the New York Area - on June 6th to the 8th
Seattle, WA Area - August 1st to the 3rd
In the Austin, TX Area, October 17th to the 19th

One of the requirements to ride in a GYGIG event is to raise $ 1,900. In order to show your support for Team UOAA, a contribution can be name in the name of the following riders at: www.ibdride.org/donate.asp?p=involved

UOAA riders in the New York event:

Bob Baker, # NY-74
Chris Baker (Bob's son), # NY-75
Emily Mallar, # NY-65

FALL 2008 ELECTION CANDIDATES

Again this Fall you will be asked to elect two Directors. The four candidates who will be running for these two director's chairs are:

Tillie Horak, Baltimore Ostomy Association
Lynne Kramer, Philadelphia Ostomy Association
Bob Parish, Hemet-San Jacinto Ostomy Association
Kaytie Torango, Salem Township Hospital, Illinois

More information will be appearing about these candidates on the UOAA website and in The Phoenix magazine.

ASG LEADERSHIP ADVISORY BOARD

The newly instituted UOAA ASG Advisory Board is up and running. The four members of this Board presently include:

Eileen Bohrer, St. Paul Ostomy Association
Demi Cotrupe, Ostomy Support Group of North San Diego County, and,
Harvey Shatz, Lowcountry (SC) Ostomy Association
Bob Parish, Hemet-San Jacinto Ostomy Association

Their terms will expire December 31, 2009.

Mary Lou Thomas of the Anne Arundel County MD Ostomy Association was invited to be a member, but she declined at this time for health reasons. Bob Parish was selected by the MBoD as her replacement.

If you have any issues that you would like to have the ASG Advisory Board address, please communicate with the Advisory Board Chair, Bob Parish at nitchras@verizon.net

Based upon your recommendations (to be solicited this coming fall), 4 additional members of the ASG Advisory Board will be appointed by the MBoD to serve a two-year term commencing January 1st, 2009

With this new Board in place, it will ensure that UOAA's management body is in tune with the needs and interests of the ASGs. It is hoped that this action will also stimulate grass-root level interest in UOAA's management affairs and national concerns.

LEADERSHIP SEMINAR

On Saturday, June 21st, UOAA will hold another in its series of ASG Leadership Seminars at the Best Western Lakeside Hotel in Kissimmee, Florida. Remember each ASG that sends a representative is entitled to an expense rebate from UOAA of $ 100.

Please contact Steve Strizic at SteveS@uoaa.org if you plan to be there. We have much to discuss and need your input!

NORTHWEST REGIONAL CONFERENCE

A Northwest Regional Conference will be at the SEA-TAC Airport Clarion Hotel, on September 12th to the 14th.

Events include a social mixer sponsored by Coloplast on Friday evening, educational programming on Saturday and a Leadership session on Sunday morning.

For those planning to attend please contact Janet McNiven at Aloha.jmac@verizon.net

MEDICAL COMMUNITY CONTACT PROGRAM GUIDELINES

Steve Strizic, Chair of UOAA's Leadership Resource Program recently sent out a set of guidelines for the Medical Community Contact Program. These are designed to help each ASG establish a stronger working relationship with members of their local medical community.

Due to technical problems experienced by our webmail host, some of you did not receive these guidelines. Because of their importance, Steve asked me to resend them as part of this UPDATE.

FOW-USA PROJECT S.H.A.R.E. RELOCATION

Ival Secrest, President of FOW-USA, reports:

Friends of Ostomates Worldwide-USA has relocated its collection and sorting facility from Glenview, IL to Louisville, KY. The new address for sending ostomy supplies or a financial contribution is:

FOW-USA
1500 Arlington Avenue
Louisville, KY 40206-3177

The website www.fowusa.org should be updated by the week of 12 May 2008. If you have any questions or concerns, you can contact FOW-USA via the following email address: info@fowusa.org

The support of UOAA's Affiliated Support Groups and individuals is greatly appreciated. We have incurred a cost to relocate and any financial support will be appreciated.

IN CONCLUSION

To all of the Mothers in our group ... enjoy your day this Sunday!

I hope that this message finds you in the best of health and in good spirits!

Ken Aukett - President, UOAA

Ken Aukett President, UOAA Steering Committee P.O. Box 318, Collingswood, NJ 08108 Tel (856) 854 3737 Fax (856) 854 5637 kenaukett@uoaa.org September 9, 2005

UOAA - 'A NEW BEGINNING'

What is UOAA?

The United Ostomy Associations of America or, "UOAA", is a national network for bowel and urinary diversion support groups in America that has been organized to fill the void left by the dissolution of UOA.

It is a 501 (c) (3) non-profit organization, incorporated in New Jersey, managed by volunteers with the cooperation and utilization of outside professional help when required.

What does UOAA hope to accomplish?

The goal of UOAA is to provide a non-profit association that will serve to unify and strengthen the support groups in America, those former UOA chapters and other non UOA groups, that are organized for the benefit of people who have, or will have intestinal or urinary diversions, and for their care givers.

Therefore UOAA's mission is...

UOAA is an association of affiliated, non-profit, support groups who are committed to the improvement of the quality of life of people who have, or will have, an intestinal or urinary diversion.

It is dedicated to the provision of information, advocacy and service to, and for, its affiliated support groups, their members and the intestinal/urinary diversion community at large.

It is organized to grow and develop while remaining independent and financially viable.

Who can join UOAA?

Membership in UOAA is open to any former UOA chapter, or support group, such as those that have been formed by a medical professional, hospital or allied agency, that chooses to affiliate with it. Affiliation is also open to the former UOA network groups.

So then the members of UOAA will be the support groups?

Yes. You can look at it as an association of associations.

What about individual memberships in UOAA?

Members of affiliated support groups will be members of UOAA. UOAA will have no national or association members. UOAA will not compete with the support groups for members!

With no individual memberships how will UOAA communicate with former UOA members and those new ostomy and continent diversion patients looking for information?

UOAA will publish a quarterly magazine, the "PHOENIX ", to which former members of UOA, members of WOCN and any other interested party can subscribe.

Please explain what you mean in your mission statement when you say UOAA is dedicated to the provision of information, advocacy and service to, and for, its affiliated support groups, their members and the intestinal/urinary diversion community at large.

UOAA will provide the following:

• Non-Profit status: UOAA will provide an IRS 501(c)( 3) non - profit tax "umbrella" for its affiliated members. Support groups can take advantage of this coverage and do not have to apply for their own IRS tax exemption.
• Advocacy: UOAA will continue to serve as an advocate for our community as it did in the past. It will provide a national forum to unify our voices for the common good of all people with bowel and urinary diversions at local, State and national levels, with emphasis on both private and governmental health care insurance, and on discrimination issues. The Advocacy Hotline will continue to be available via advocacy@uoaa.org
• Information:
  • UOAA is establishing a comprehensive, interactive website, www.uoaa.org that will include an advocacy section, general and network message boards, an open chat room with dedicated network chats and a directory of all affiliated support groups. A section will be dedicated to support group achievements and notable activities. Links will be established to all pertinent websites and to our industry supporters. Design of this site and ongoing maintenance, will be provided by Bob Baumel, UOA's present Webtech.
  • UOAA will have an official quarterly magazine, the "PHOENIX ", that can be obtained through subscription. A complimentary issue of the PHOENIX will be sent to all former UOA members and to the members of WOCN by late December 2005 or early January 2006, together with information about UOAA, and an invitation to subscribe. The annual cost for a subscription will be $ 25.00 payable directly to the publisher. UOAA is pleased to advise that it has contracted with Ian Settlemire, current Editor of UOA's OSTOMY QUARTERLY, to publish the PHOENIX.
  • UOAA will send periodic electronic newsletters to the affiliated support group leaders.
  • UOAA will maintain a library of articles on the website, suitable for use in member newsletters.
• Conferences: UOAA conferences will be held annually, alternating between Regional Conferences one year, and an Annual Conference the next. UOAA will provide logistical support. Regional conferences will be held in 2006 and a national conference will be held in 2007.
• Referral Service: An 800 number will be established in UOAA's Administrative Office. People seeking information about rehabilitative support will be directed to their local area UOAA affiliated support group.
• Network Support: Logistical support will be provided as needed and requested to the following UOA Network support groups: the Teen network; the Young Adult network; the 30+ network; the CD network; and to GLO. UOAA will support the endeavors of the two groups that have recently incorporated and will be operating as independent entities: the Youth Rally Committee, & the Pull-Thru Network.
• Liaisons: In order to promote better working relationships between the UOAA affiliated support groups and their Allied Agencies, Liaisons will be appointed to, and invited from: ACS, ASCRS, CCFA, DDNC, FOW USA, FOW Canada, IOA, The Oley Foundation, The Pull-Thru Network, QLA, The Youth Rally Committee, UOA-Canada, and WOCN.

Who are the people putting UOAA together?

In the Fall of 2006 the Affiliated Support Groups will elect a new Managing Board of Directors. The new officers and directors, including a President-Elect, will take office on January 1st, 2007.

In addition to the Officers and Directors serving on the Organizing Steering Committee the following people are also serving UOAA: Linda Aukett as Advocacy Chair; Bob Baumel as Webmaster; Ian Settlemire as publisher of the PHOENIX ; and Sheldon Sokol as Legal Advisor.

It is the intent of the Organizing Steering Committee to enter into a contractual agreement with an individual to serve as UOAA's Office Administrator. This person will work from their home.

How will UOAA be financed?

UOAA will receive income from the following:

• UOAA will receive 50% of the income from PHOENIX subscriptions. The other 50% and the advertising fees will go to the publisher who will produce and distribute the magazine and maintain the subscription list for UOAA.
• The Managing Board of Directors has the right to set an Annual Affiliation Fee payable by the affiliated support group members. For UOAA's FY 2005 & 2006, this fee will be waived. A fee of $ 2.00 for each member reported to UOAA on the affiliation form submitted by the support group, will be payable on January 1, 2007. The Annual Affiliation Fee for a support group that wishes to join, but differs from the UOA Chapter organizational model, and does not have any members per se, will be $ 25.00 payable on January 1, 2007
• UOAA will solicit advertising for the website.
• UOAA will seek industry sponsorship of key programs.
• UOAA will have a board of trustees who will be responsible for fund raising activities.
• Individual and corporate contributions. As an example, UOAA has been advised that it will be a recipient of funds from the "Get Your Guts in Gear" bike-a-thon that will raise funds for charitable entities like UOAA in two bike races scheduled for 2006, one on the East coast, and one on the West coast.

Note: UOAA's operating budget for FY 2006 will be approximately 20% of UOA's budget for FY 2004/05.

One question that has not been addressed is that of support group voting rights.

A support group will receive one vote for every member that is used in the calculation of its Annual Affiliation Fee. Support groups that do not have any members who pay an Annual Affiliation Fee of $ 25.00, will be eligible to cast 12 votes.

OK, now that I have read the above information and the UOAA Constitution, how does our group go about affiliating???

To affiliate with UOAA complete the enclosed Affiliation Form. In doing so you are attesting that you have read and understand UOAA's requirements for membership which include:

• Acceptance of UOAA's Constitution and agreement to support UOAA's mission, programs and activities;
• Payment of the Annual Affiliation Fee as determined each year by the UOAA Management Board of Directors; (which is waived if you affiliate now).
• Agreement to encourage support group members to subscribe to UOAA's magazine, the PHOENIX;
• Provision of an e-mail address where communications can be sent; Note, affiliations will not be accepted if an e-mail address is not provided!
• Agreement to have an active patient "Visiting Program".
• Agreement that upon dissolution of the group it will give any remaining funds in its treasury to a viable 501(c)(3) charity/s, with strong preference to UOAA, or to other organizations that provide support to ostomates.

On behalf of the UOAA Organizing Committee I hope that this information will answer your questions about becoming one of our affiliated support groups. If I can be of additional assistance please do not hesitate to e-mail me.

Ken Aukett, President

"By affiliating with UOAA you will be joining an organization that is dedicated to increasing your viability as a support group, and, to improving the quality of life, after surgery, of your group's members and the ostomy/continent diversion community it serves."

SELECTION CRITERIA
UOAA YOUTH RALLY COUNSELOR
SPONSORSHIP

PCR BOARD RESPONSIBILITY

• Approves funds to cover registration fee at the transition meeting annually
• Vice President to post application on the PCR website no later than January 31 of each calendar year or earliest date applications available
• Board members to review applications and select an applicant(s) to receive the designated funds by June 30 of each calendar year

CRITERIA

• Active member of PCR
• Completed UOAA application
• Acceptance by UOAA as counselor
• PCR Board members will review all applications and assign designated funds to partially cover registration fees
  • If a Board member is applying for the funds then that member(s) will refrain from the review process
• If no applications are received the PCR Board will exercise one of the following options
  • Roll the funds over to the next calendar year
  • Make the funds available to defray costs for a youth attending the rally from the PCR region
  • Return the funds to PCR region's operating budget

Pacific Coast Region
Sponsorship Application
For
UOAA Youth Rally Counselor

Each year Pacific Coast Region of the Wound, Ostomy & Continence Nurses Society will provide funds to partially defray the cost of the registration fee for a CWOCN who is an active member of the Pacific Coast Region.

Download:
Youth Rally Counselor Application 2006 form (PDF) - 160k
Youth Rally 2006 form (PDF) - 125k
PCR Youth Rally Counselor Sponsorship Application (MS Word) - 25k
  or zipped version of above MS Word - 7k