Liz HilesOct 16, 2024

Proud to have the opportunity to lend my voice and my experience to advocate for and inspire others, including for #OstomyAwarenessDay. Here's my article published in the October 10th issue of The West River Eagle/Waŋblí waŋ wakpá wiyóȟpeyataŋhaŋ.

https://www.westrivereagle.com/articles/lizs-experience-living-with-an-ostomy/

Liz’s experience living with an ostomy - West River Eagle

I started learning about ostomies years before I needed one. I was an administrative assistant in a pediatric gastroenterology office. The team I supported saw medically complex patients with critical diagnoses. Approximately 70-80% of their patient population had ostomies for fecal diversions.  Then, in August 2016, I was diagnosed with Stage III-b bladder cancer with a grapefruit-sized ... You've reached <a href="https://www.westrivereagle.com/articles/lizs-experience-living-with-an-ostomy/">[…]</a>

West River Eagle -
Jeff GeerlingOct 6, 2024
I have an ostomy and I'm proud of it! My permanent ileostomy gave me the life I had been missing out on for years. #OstomyAwarenessDay #OstomiesAreLifesavers #OstomyDay2024 #IAmLivingProof
JoshuaOct 5, 2024

Ostomy surgery saved my life from an abscess the size of a softball

2 yrs ago w/Crohn’s in remission, I had a colectomy/ileostomy bc yrs of inflammation made my colon too fragile.

I ran a 5k for each of my ostomies bc #OstomiesAreLifesavers
#OstomyAwarenessDay #IBDAthlete

JoshuaOct 4, 2024
Infusion time again … tomorrow I’ll be running 5k x 2 for #ostomyAwarenessDay - one for each ostomy I’ve had
#crohns #IBDathlete #remicade
Jeff GeerlingOct 7, 2023

Happy World Ostomy Day!

My ostomy saved my life—I'm fundraising today to help other people who are also faced with a tough decision due to IBD, Cancer, or other obstacles.

Help improve the lives of ostomates everywhere! https://runsignup.com/jeff-geerling #ibd #ostomyawarenessday

Jeff Geerling - Virtual Ostomy 5k - Worldwide

Welcome to my fundraising page! This year, I have made a commitment to spend World Ostomy Day, Saturday, October 4th, as part of a group of people who are empowering people who have had or who will have ostomy or continent diversion surgery. In order to fulfill this commitment, I am asking for your help. On October 4, 2025, I participated in the Virtual Run for Resilience Ostomy 5k. This is more than just a 5k race for me. The goal of these events is to raise awareness and to empower people who have had or who may someday have ostomy or continent diversion surgery. Funds will support United Ostomy Associations of America (UOAA), a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that makes a difference in the lives of the 725,000 to 1 million Americans who have had ostomy or continent diversion surgery. These surgeries are lifesaving and have allowed many people to return to living a healthy life. I am writing to share my story, and to ask you to support me as I train to participate in this 5k race. To find out more about the Run for Resilience Ostomy 5k please visit www.ostomy.org/5k, and to learn more about UOAA please visit www.ostomy.org. I have set my fundraising goal at $500. You can help me achieve this goal and help me pay tribute to those who need our help. Please support my fundraising campaign by clicking the donate link to sponsor my efforts in meeting my fundraising goal, or click Register to join me! Thank you for your support. Not only will you be helping me reach my goal, but you will help each and every person who has had or who may one day have ostomy or continent diversion surgery. Sincerely, Jeff Geerling

Virtual Ostomy 5k - Worldwide
GoatsLiveOct 3, 2020
Today is #OstomyAwarenessDay world wide. I won't post an image of my scarred abdomen like many will today (you're welcome) But beating cancer 5 1/2 years ago resulted in a permanent #ostomy that I'm just fine living with. Please, Ostomy bags are life savers not insults!