Ostomy Awareness Day Gathers Community Amid Medical Supply Threat
An estimated up to 1 million people in the U.S. live with an ostomy. National Ostomy Awareness Day on October 3, 2026, sees the community uniting to advocate for essential medical supplies facing potential disruption.
The United Ostomy Associations of America (UOAA) is hosting events for National Ostomy Awareness Day on October 3, 2026, under the theme "One Community - Stronger Together." The initiative aims to raise awareness and advocate for individuals living with ostomies, estimated to be between 725,000 and 1 million in the U.S.
These ostomy procedures, often life-saving interventions for conditions like cancer, accidents, and inflammatory bowel disease, require consistent access to specific medical supplies. This year's awareness day is particularly significant as the ostomy community mobilizes against a potential threat to these essential supplies.
UOAA and national stakeholders are calling for public advocacy and Congressional intervention to exclude ostomy and urological supplies from Medicare's competitive bidding program. A recent regulatory ruling is cited as a direct threat to patient access to their prescribed medical products and suppliers, potentially impacting their quality of life post-surgery.
Activities for the day include the "Run for Resilience Ostomy 5k" events held across multiple U.S. states, supporting UOAA's nonprofit programs and advocacy efforts. A global virtual 5k and various in-person family-friendly events are scheduled for the first two weekends of October.