Global Colon Cancer Association Launches Global Ostomy Program to Expand Access to Vital Supplies and Advance Advocacy
WASHINGTON, DC, UNITED STATES, October 19, 2026 /EINPresswire.com/ -- The Global Colon Cancer Association (GCCA) has launched its Global Ostomy Program, an initiative focused on improving access to essential ostomy supplies and advancing advocacy for people living with an ostomy around the world. Through a partnership with Friends of Ostomates Worldwide, the program provides immediate support for people facing barriers to care by facilitating the provision of supplies to GCCA member organizations. It pairs that support with longer-term efforts to address the challenges that limit access to appropriate ostomy products and services.
As part of the program, GCCA has established a Member Advisory Committee bringing together representatives from member organizations across the globe. The committee will help guide the program’s priorities and advocacy efforts, ensuring that the experiences of people living with an ostomy and the organizations supporting them inform its work.
The committee members are Ann Favreau of Friends of Ostomates Worldwide USA, Francisco Freyria of FUTEJE in Mexico, Faizel Jacobs of South African Society of Stomates, Satoshi Kakimoto of GCCA Japan, Katell Maguet of Patients en Réseau in France, Hana Nimer of SAID NGO in Lebanon, and Karma Tobgay of Bhutan Cancer Society.
Essential Supplies Make Everyday Life Possible
An ostomy is a surgically created opening that allows waste to leave the body through the abdomen. For many people with colorectal cancer, an ostomy is a life-saving part of treatment. But surgery is only one part of the journey. People living with an ostomy need ongoing access to appropriate supplies to manage their ostomy safely, protect their skin, and live comfortably and confidently.
That access is far from guaranteed. When ostomy pouches and related supplies are unavailable or unaffordable, people may be forced to improvise with ordinary plastic bags, including grocery bags. These makeshift solutions do not provide the secure fit and skin protection of purpose-designed ostomy products and can contribute to leakage, skin irritation, discomfort, and odor.
The consequences extend beyond physical health. Concerns about leakage and odor can make people reluctant to leave home, work, travel, attend school, or participate in social and family activities. Access to appropriate supplies can help people manage their ostomy with greater comfort, confidence, and dignity.
GCCA Partners with Kenyatta National Hospital to Provide Ostomy Supplies
The Global Ostomy Program will take a practical step forward during GCCA’s Global Colorectal Cancer Congress, taking place November 5–6, 2026, in Nairobi, Kenya.
In partnership with Kenyatta National Hospital, GCCA will help provide care kits for colorectal cancer patients. During planning discussions with the hospital’s nurse navigator, the need for ostomy supplies emerged as a particular priority. In response, GCCA will provide essential products, including ostomy bags and skin care supplies, to help address patients’ needs.
GCCA has also received a donation of ostomy support belts from Awestomy Active. These belts help hold an ostomy pouch securely in place and can improve comfort during everyday activities, giving people greater confidence as they move, work, and participate in life.
The partnership reflects the Global Ostomy Program’s commitment to listening to patients and local care teams and responding to the needs they identify. By working with healthcare providers and community organizations, GCCA aims to connect essential supplies with the people who need them while building awareness of the broader barriers to ostomy care.
Building a Future with Better Access to Ostomy Care
Access to ostomy supplies is both an immediate patient need and a broader healthcare equity issue. In many countries, affordability challenges, gaps in supply and distribution, and limited access to appropriate care make it difficult for people to obtain the products they need.
Through the Global Ostomy Program, GCCA will work with its members and partners to improve access to supplies while supporting advocacy for sustainable solutions. The Member Advisory Committee will play an important role in identifying priorities, sharing regional perspectives, and ensuring that the program remains grounded in the realities of people living with an ostomy.
Learn more and support the Global Ostomy Program: Visit https://www.globalcca.org/programs/global-ostomy-program to learn more about the program and make a donation to help expand access to essential ostomy supplies.
About the Global Colon Cancer Association:
The Global Colon Cancer Association is an international nonprofit organization that connects and supports organizations working to improve the lives of people affected by colorectal cancer. Through education, advocacy, collaboration, and patient-centered programs, GCCA works to advance colorectal cancer awareness, improve access to care, and strengthen the global patient advocacy community.
As part of the program, GCCA has established a Member Advisory Committee bringing together representatives from member organizations across the globe. The committee will help guide the program’s priorities and advocacy efforts, ensuring that the experiences of people living with an ostomy and the organizations supporting them inform its work.
The committee members are Ann Favreau of Friends of Ostomates Worldwide USA, Francisco Freyria of FUTEJE in Mexico, Faizel Jacobs of South African Society of Stomates, Satoshi Kakimoto of GCCA Japan, Katell Maguet of Patients en Réseau in France, Hana Nimer of SAID NGO in Lebanon, and Karma Tobgay of Bhutan Cancer Society.
Essential Supplies Make Everyday Life Possible
An ostomy is a surgically created opening that allows waste to leave the body through the abdomen. For many people with colorectal cancer, an ostomy is a life-saving part of treatment. But surgery is only one part of the journey. People living with an ostomy need ongoing access to appropriate supplies to manage their ostomy safely, protect their skin, and live comfortably and confidently.
That access is far from guaranteed. When ostomy pouches and related supplies are unavailable or unaffordable, people may be forced to improvise with ordinary plastic bags, including grocery bags. These makeshift solutions do not provide the secure fit and skin protection of purpose-designed ostomy products and can contribute to leakage, skin irritation, discomfort, and odor.
The consequences extend beyond physical health. Concerns about leakage and odor can make people reluctant to leave home, work, travel, attend school, or participate in social and family activities. Access to appropriate supplies can help people manage their ostomy with greater comfort, confidence, and dignity.
GCCA Partners with Kenyatta National Hospital to Provide Ostomy Supplies
The Global Ostomy Program will take a practical step forward during GCCA’s Global Colorectal Cancer Congress, taking place November 5–6, 2026, in Nairobi, Kenya.
In partnership with Kenyatta National Hospital, GCCA will help provide care kits for colorectal cancer patients. During planning discussions with the hospital’s nurse navigator, the need for ostomy supplies emerged as a particular priority. In response, GCCA will provide essential products, including ostomy bags and skin care supplies, to help address patients’ needs.
GCCA has also received a donation of ostomy support belts from Awestomy Active. These belts help hold an ostomy pouch securely in place and can improve comfort during everyday activities, giving people greater confidence as they move, work, and participate in life.
The partnership reflects the Global Ostomy Program’s commitment to listening to patients and local care teams and responding to the needs they identify. By working with healthcare providers and community organizations, GCCA aims to connect essential supplies with the people who need them while building awareness of the broader barriers to ostomy care.
Building a Future with Better Access to Ostomy Care
Access to ostomy supplies is both an immediate patient need and a broader healthcare equity issue. In many countries, affordability challenges, gaps in supply and distribution, and limited access to appropriate care make it difficult for people to obtain the products they need.
Through the Global Ostomy Program, GCCA will work with its members and partners to improve access to supplies while supporting advocacy for sustainable solutions. The Member Advisory Committee will play an important role in identifying priorities, sharing regional perspectives, and ensuring that the program remains grounded in the realities of people living with an ostomy.
Learn more and support the Global Ostomy Program: Visit https://www.globalcca.org/programs/global-ostomy-program to learn more about the program and make a donation to help expand access to essential ostomy supplies.
About the Global Colon Cancer Association:
The Global Colon Cancer Association is an international nonprofit organization that connects and supports organizations working to improve the lives of people affected by colorectal cancer. Through education, advocacy, collaboration, and patient-centered programs, GCCA works to advance colorectal cancer awareness, improve access to care, and strengthen the global patient advocacy community.
Nicole Sheahan
Global Colon Cancer Association
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