Helping Ostomists in Ukraine

 

Helping Ostomists in Ukraine

It began in March this year when we received an email asking for new, unopened ostomy supplies to help those in the Ukraine who were desperately struggling to get hold of such items. Various charities and addresses of where to send these items were provided.

I spoke with Mike Jameson, our Chairman, and suggested I would be more than happy to arrange this. We agreed to email our Birmingham members to ask if they had any spare unwanted supplies which they could send directly to me or bring to one of our coffee mornings. The company I work for was more than happy to pay for the courier.to have them sent out in one batch, to save our members paying any postage.

I would personally like to say a massive thank you to all our Birmingham IA members who contributed, and I’m pleased to report that a very large box of supplies was despatched to the Polish Integration Support Centre where they take the supplies straight in to the worst hit parts of the Ukraine the following week. Another very special THANKYOU is due to my AMAZING friend Suzanne, who knew what I was doing and mentioned it to her aunt Carol who had a connection with someone who had an ostomy. A few days later, Suzanne contacted me to say that she had some supplies for us and that she would deliver them at the weekend. (Suzanne lives in Farnham, Surrey and her aunt Carol lives in Welshpool, Wales, so not exactly on the doorstep!!) The supplies arrived and were very well received over a coffee or two.

Back in August I had another phone call from Suzanne saying her Aunt Carol had provided another load of supplies which she would deliver in October. When she said a load, she wasn’t joking! Her Aunt Carol had mentioned the appeal to her neighbours, who decided off their own back to go and buy some medical supplies from the local supermarkets. What amazing people! A further email went out to Birmingham IA members and yet again they didn’t disappoint.

So, another very large box will be leaving here this week (October 7th) for the Polish Integration Support Centre. I had a phone conversation with them today and it will be dispatched once again from there to the Ukraine.

Again, a massive thank you to the Birmingham IA members who contributed and again, a very special THANK YOU to my AMAZING friend Suzanne and her equally amazing aunt Carol. And of course, a special thankyou to Aunt Carol’s neighbours for their generous contributions.

Other News

Updates from our Facebook page

Birmingham IA
2 days ago

At the pavillion attending the Royal Wolverhampton Hospital Stoma Nurses information day. It was pleasant to meet so many people,who have a stoma. Along side company reps.

Birmingham IA
5 days ago

Let's get this out there as this would be a interesting presentation to all us ostomates and pouchies

Birmingham IA
5 days ago

A lovely turn out at our Solihull Social Coffee morning, Was lovely seeing our lovely members and our newbies. As without you we would be able to run these groups and a big thanks to Barry Austin from coloplast on his presentation of sore skin issue and the heylo device. Hope our members enjoyed this presentation.

Birmingham IA
5 days ago

Look forward to seeing you all at the social coffee morning come say hello

Birmingham IA
6 days ago

These are a brillant idea for anyone who has a child or someone who might not understand about the stoma/pouch using the books to explain it to them how it helps and what it does and how to cope with them.

Birmingham IA
6 days ago

A QUICK REMINDER. Our next social coffee meeting at Solihull Methodist Church, look forward to seeing you there. All are welcome to pop along.

Birmingham IA
7 days ago

How about pop along to the cancer bus tour around Birmingham if you feel worried about anything,put your mind at ease by getting your issues checked.

Birmingham IA
7 days ago

Please keep hydrated and safe in this heat please check out our website Birmingham ileostomy and pouch organisation, to get the latest information on how to stay hydrated in warmer weather. Our members get all this imformation and more by joining birmingham IA check website out for our form to join.

Birmingham IA
7 days ago

Keep up the good work ...so proud of one our birmingham members of all his hard work and all his fund raising...please donate if you ever see our Keith doing any fundraising as IA is so proud of all his does please send your praise to Keith.A lovely man .

Birmingham IA
8 days ago

Don't Forget About Sophie Turigel A local dietician who works along side Melissa Cunha's team at Queen Elizabeth Hospital Presentation on dietary advice for ostomists and pouches By zoom: Thursday 3rd july at 7.30pm All Birmingham IA members welcome Come along and get some upto date advice.

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