PRINTER'S NO. 3548
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
HOUSE RESOLUTION
No.
503
Session of
2024
INTRODUCED BY WAXMAN, CONKLIN, GIRAL, OTTEN, FREEMAN, PROBST,
HILL-EVANS, VENKAT, HADDOCK, KHAN, SANCHEZ, ROZZI, DALEY,
JOZWIAK, CURRY AND GREEN, JULY 30, 2024
REFERRED TO COMMITTEE ON HEALTH, JULY 30, 2024
A RESOLUTION
Recognizing October 5, 2024, as "Ostomy Awareness Day" in
Pennsylvania.
WHEREAS, An ostomy is a type of surgery that creates an
opening, known as a stoma, in the abdomen that allows for the
removal of bodily waste when a person has lost the normal
function of digestive or urinary systems due to a birth defect,
colorectal cancer, bladder cancer, Crohn's disease, ulcerative
colitis, bowel injury or other medical condition; and
WHEREAS, Bodily waste passes through the stoma into an ostomy
pouch on the outside of the body or, in the case of a continent
diversion surgery, an internal surgically created reservoir; and
WHEREAS, Not all ostomies result in a permanent stoma, with
doctors recommending temporary stomas if all or part of a
patient's large intestine needs to rest following surgery; and
WHEREAS, More than 725,000 people in the United States
currently live with an ostomy and more than 100,000 new ostomy
surgeries are performed each year; and
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WHEREAS, Ostomy or continent diversion surgery can occur at
any age and does not lower life expectancy; and
WHEREAS, Through the efforts of United Ostomy Associations of
America, Inc. (UOAA), and its more than 300 affiliated support
groups, individuals needing ostomy surgeries are becoming more
aware of the opportunities for education, mutual aid, advocacy
and support that are of great benefit to them and their
families; and
WHEREAS, UOAA celebrates "Ostomy Awareness Day" annually on
the first Saturday of October; and
WHEREAS, The International Ostomy Association sponsors "World
Ostomy Day," which is recognized globally every three years and
will be celebrated on October 5, 2024; and
WHEREAS, "Ostomy Awareness Day" and "World Ostomy Day" aim to
improve the rehabilitation of ostomates by spreading awareness
and promoting national and global visibility; and
WHEREAS, "Ostomy Awareness Day" in Pennsylvania may serve as
a reminder that this is a lifesaving and life-restoring surgery;
and
WHEREAS, The House of Representatives is committed to
increasing public understanding of ostomies to help dispel fear
in those about to undergo this surgery, as well as the fear that
confronts their families; and
WHEREAS, The House of Representatives recognizes that
education and awareness are vital to ensure that those who are
living with an ostomy face no discrimination and are accepted as
healthy individuals; therefore be it
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives recognize October
5, 2024, as "Ostomy Awareness Day" in Pennsylvania.
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