The Tribune

A NEW charitable organisation founded by a young woman who survived a terrible jet-ski accident is launching its first fundraising event to assist economically disadvantaged ostomy patients.

An ostomy is a surgically created opening from an internal organ, such as the intestine, to an external point on the body, usually in the abdomen.

There are three types of ostomies – colostomy, urostomy and ileostomy. An ‘ostomate’ refers to someone who has one of these three ostomies.

The surgical procedure can be necessitated by some forms of cancer, crohn’s disease, irritable bowel disease or trauma, such as an accident or a gunshot wound.

The Megan Louise Sands Ostomy Foundation, founded by Megan Sands, a young ostomy patient herself, is a new organisation devoted to raising funds for those individuals who have an ostomy and are economically disadvantaged and require both financial and emotional support.

In 2006, Ms Sands suffered serious injuries after being in a jet-ski accident which resulted in her having a colostomy.

“With the support of the community, family and friends, and a positive attitude, I was able to overcome the early challenges of living with an ostomy, such as having the proper supplies.

“Having an ostomy can definitely take physical and emotional tolls, but with the right support and knowledge, an ostomate can go on to live a productive and normal life. I have proven that my life is not limited due to my ostomy,” Ms Sands said.

The charity hopes to want to support ostomates throughout the Bahamas to live their lives without limitations.

One of its goals is to raise funds in order to financially provide ostomy supplies for the many ostomates here in the Bahamas through the organisation’s Patient Assistance Programme.

“It cost, on average, $2,100.00 annually for supplies for one person.

The Megan Louise Sands Ostomy Foundation’s goal is to raise enough funds to provide one year of the vital supplies for 24 ostomates ($50,400.00),” Sands said.

Supplies include pouches, wafers, skin prep wipes, remover wipes and paste, which are all essential items for a person with an ostomy.

Sands said that she knows from personal experience that it is crucial to always have sufficient supplies on hand and how costly these supplies can be.

“Unfortunately, there are ostomates here in the Bahamas that are resorting to a ‘ziploc bags and tape method’ due to a lack of finances. No one should feel restricted due to an ostomy. No one should have to live without the necessary supplies in order to feel comfortable and confident in their daily living,” She said.

On Sunday, May 18, the organistion is holding its first chartable event, a 5k Fun Run/Walk, with all of the proceeds going towards its Patient Assistance Programme.

Those wishing to assist in any way are invited to contact the Megan Louise Sands Ostomy Foundation, PO Box SS-6668, Nassau, Bahamas, or call 359-0020, fax 393-6114 or email mlsostomyfoundation@gmail.com.