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
5 days ago

Don't forget, tomorrow is our final coffee social of the year. We have Alex Browning from Dansac joining us and talking about skin health for ostomates. 30th November - 10:30am at The United Reformed Church, Brassington Avenue, Sutton Coldfield B73 6AA. Let's have one last catch up and a cuppa

Birmingham IA
11 days ago

Why not join us for our final coffee social of the year. Alex Browning from Dansac will be joining us and talking about skin health. 30th November - 10:30am at The United Reformed Church, Brassington Avenue, Sutton Coldfield B73 6AA. Let's have a catch up and a cuppa. Can't wait to see you there!

Birmingham IA
13 days ago

Our Nationals very own Caroline Bramwell met up with Chef Gregg Wallace and shared her story. Gregg has a new living with a stoma category on his Web page. Read about Caroline's journey and her favorite food recipes, by clicking the link:

Birmingham IA
17 days ago

Have you seen this article from The Guardian? Have a read and let us know what you think.

Birmingham IA
33 days ago

Last week some of our One2One support volunteers enjoyed a delicious lunch to celebrate their success of qualifying from the One2One Support training and becoming official support volunteers! Well done guys! #ileostomy #internalpouch #birminghamia #birmingham #ileostomyawareness #volunteers #jpouch #stoma #ostomates

Birmingham IA
33 days ago

Also this Saturday (4th November) is our Solihull Coffee Social at the Solihull Methodist Church at 10:30am! Pop in for a cuppa and chat! We will also have Chris Harris from Fittleworth talking about Ostomate friendly recipes! We look forward to seeing you there !

Birmingham IA
33 days ago

Don't forget our President Melissa Cunha is giving a presentation on Internal Pouches on 9th November at 7:30pm on Zoom. If any non members of Birmingham IA would like to attend please could you confirm your interest by emailing mike.jameson\u0040iasupport.org confirming in the email you are applying via Birmingham IA Facebook page. Birmingham IA members will automatically receive an invite

Birmingham IA
33 days ago

Birmingham IA
33 days ago

Birmingham IA
33 days ago

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