The Freemasons Foundation and local Gippsland Forest Lodge recently supported funding for the Young Ostomates United Inc. stoma bear project.
The stoma bear program provides a hand-made stoma bear for children (teens or adults) across Victoria, and interstate if requested, to help children who have undergone stoma surgery, or live with a loved one undergoing stoma surgery, to come to terms with their new situation and/or to help educate others in their circle.
The stoma bears are hand-made and created to show a stoma and the required external appliances on the body of the bear.
Young Ostomates United Inc. is a Melbourne based, non-profit organisation established in 1989, supporting and promoting wellbeing and encouraging support and friendship between any person with a stoma regardless of age, their families and friends.
They provide information resources to both new and well-established ostomates, as well as to other health professionals, such as stomal therapists.
They also strive to create awareness in the wider community of the reasons for, and implications of, living with a stoma, which impacts 47,000 Australians.
For more information about the program, email admin@youinc.org.au
Right: Gippsland Forest Lodge worshipful master Merv Moon (centre) with Young Ostomates United Inc. secretary Helen and Susan at the presentation.