Skip links

Type and hit enter

Have a question? We're here to answer.

Have a question? We're here to answer.

Dedicated page for
Chapters & PSGs

Start Fundraising
Donate Now
Chapters & Peer Support Groups

Engage our network of Chapters and PSGs through outreach and collaborative programs such as Shared Services.

October 5, 2024

What Are The Benefits of Participating?

Is hosting an event like SUFO worthwhile? The groups who participated in 2023 would say so! Here are some of the fantastic benefits they experienced:

New Members

Many new people attended these events, which led to new members and increased engagement.

Young Adults

More young adults were in attendance, which inspired the YA group in Calgary to reboot in 2023.

Local Vendors

Increased participation from local vendors and ostomy manufacturers.

Increased Awareness

Increased awareness was brought to both Ostomy Canada and the local groups.

Rebate of 10%

Participating groups received a rebate of 10% of all of their fundraising efforts for Ostomy Canada.

Big Steps To Success

How Did Canada Get Involved In 2023?

Chapters and peer support groups have found some awesome ways to participate in the annual Step Up For Ostomy fundraiser. Some examples across Canada in 2023 included:

Calgary Ostomy

Calgary Ostomy held the largest event with 75 in attendance, almost double what they typically see at their quarterly meetings. Considerable time was spent planning, especially during the first couple years of SUFO, but last year was far less complicated. Some important aspects that led to the successful turnout included:

An awareness walk

An awareness walk, which offered members a way to bring public attention to ostomies.

01

SUFO brand assets

Use of all SUFO brand assets, an extensive social media marketing campaign and free t-shirts. A professional photographer, also a member, captured the big day.

02

Ostomy Youth Campers

Ostomy Youth Campers volunteered as part of their camp sponsorship agreement. They truly added to the excitement and energy that day.

03

Ostomy Youth Campers

A community hall was rented in case of adverse weather, which also created a more inclusive event as it remained open during the walk, allowing those with more severe health issues to socialize over coffee.

04

An Ostomy Expo

An Ostomy Expo was open for participants to engage with local ostomy vendors and manufacturers, with many attending specifically for this feature. This format will replace their traditional Spring Vendor Fair as it doubled the exposure. This also led to a local vendor sponsoring the cost of the hall rental.

05

  • Vancouver Ostomy

    A Brisk Walk

    Vancouver and Regina Ostomy both had about 35 people in attendance.Vancouver hosted an awareness walk in a city park and provided free t-shirts to members thanks to a sponsor.

  • Regina Ostomy

    A Brisk Walk & Yoga

    Regina held their event in a community hall featuring an awareness walk and seated yoga session, another great way to have an inclusive event.

  • Ottawa Ostomy

    A Brisk Walk

    Smaller groups like Moncton and Ottawa Ostomy held simple but effective events. They had a successful turnout while raising funds for Ostomy Canada.

  • Toronto Ostomy

    Stepping Off The Beaten Path

    Ostomy Toronto organized a motorcycle ride with a local motorcycle club. Their event included a ride through a scenic part of Ontario and finished with a group BBQ.

How you can help?

What are the first steps to get started? It’s easy!

Assemble a small planning committee – 4 - 6 people who are doers and want to support your group

• Begin this in the spring so there is less to do in September after everyone returns from a summer break.
• Use the SUFO Planning Manual to create a to-do list.
• Assign duties to volunteers - site, fundraising, food, signage, awareness, etc.
• Consider recruiting extra volunteers than your usual executive committee.

Plan your event

• What will be the main activity?
• Where will you hold your event? Community hall, city park, etc.
• Is your event inclusive for persons with mobility issues?

Create some goals

• How many people would you like to see in attendance?
• What is the fundraising goal for your group?
• What is the budget for the event?
• Which local vendors and manufacturers will you ask to help sponsor the event? Every little bit helps.

Attract attention to your event

• Consider providing T-shirts.
• How will you market your event?

Next Steps

What are the next steps?

to get assistance with printed materials such as Pledge Forms, Participant Waiver forms, Planning Manual, etc.

  • Visit our website to find all the resource we have created for this event.
  • See the Planning Manual for further instructions.
  • Send your Chapter & PSG Participation Form to info1@ostomycanada.ca as soon as you book your event!

How Can
Ostomy Canada Help?

Ostomy Canada can assist your chapter or peer support group with the following:

Certificate of Liability Insurance

Provide a Certificate of Liability Insurance if required.

Online Event List

Create an online event list to track RSVPs.

Marketing Campaign

Create a marketing campaign to promote your event online via Social Media.

Reimbursement for up to $400

Receive reimbursement for up to $400 for your event costs.

10% Rebate

Provide a 10% rebate from all funds raised in your area.

Forms

Provide various forms for local sponsorship, waivers, pledge forms, etc.

Brand Templates

Brand templates for posters, social media posts, and t-shirts. Note – please use the national brand only.

Acknowledgment

Acknowledgment of your event in the Ostomy Canada Magazine and Connects Newsletter.

HOW WILL OSTOMY CANADA SUPPORT YOUR EVENT?

  • NEW! The first point of support begins with the Chapter & PSG Participant Form. Please submit your forms ASAP, but no later than September 13. This form will simplify some administrative processes in planning, such as:
    • Certificate of Liability Insurance (if required)
    • Online event registration and social media
  • Provide you with posters, waivers and other forms - your committee is responsible for local promotion. Please go to the www.stepupforostomy.ca website to download forms and posters. Contact Carole Pew for printed copies.
  • Provide Chapter and PSG rebates (10% of what your Chapter/PSG raises and reconciled through the National Office) for you to use funds raised in any way you wish. Rebates will be sent back in November following full reconciliation.
  • Provide you with expense reimbursements for approved expenses up to a maximum of $400 based on advance approvals and receipts.
  • Acknowledge your event and participants in Ostomy Canada Magazine. (Post Event).
  • Contact national companies for sponsorship and Step Up for Ostomy website, and also provide you with a printable PDF poster of national sponsors to post at your event site. Available after September 1,2024.
  • Create a generic poster and social media templates to use and customize locally. Support your local Chapter/PSG to secure local sponsorship and community support through the development of correspondence. All local sponsorship funds will be allocated back to the closest Chapter/PSG. See pages 8.

Contact

Have a question? You’re covered.

Dana Ypma, Executive Director of Ostomy Canada:

Yaser Nadeem - Webmaster:

Tiffany Shorson - Graphic Design (posters, t-shirts, etc):

Carole Pew - Office support & printed materials:

or speak to your Regional Administrator

Andy Manson,

Region: Pacific

Deb Carpentier,

Region: Prairies

Ian MacNeil,

Region: Ontario

Janet Paquet,

Region: Ontario

Joan Peddle,

Region: Atlantic

Real Lamarche,

Region: Quebec

Stepupforostomy.ca is the primary website for the event. On the home page, you will find a section entitled Start Fundraising, which provides links to justgiving.ca. It is used primarily for fundraising and online payments.
  • General Information about SUFO
  • Planning Manual and how-to’s
  • Event listings
  • Logos, posters and marketing media
  • Pledge and Participant Waiver forms
  • Sponsorship Packages
  • Expense Reimbursement form
  • Create a fundraising team for your Chapter or PSG
  • Have your members and executive committee sign up under this team to fundraise.
  • Donate to a team, individual page or general 2024 campaign

Assemble your team

Organize a committee by inviting members to volunteer and make this your big event for 2024! Assign specific roles to the volunteers, such as planning, securing local sponsorships, promotions, fundraising captain, registration, setup, cleanup, and managing the registration desk for a physical event.

Plan your event

Choose a location for your event as appropriate. If an outdoor event, look for free parking, clean washrooms (that are close by), picnic shelters, shady areas, suitable walk route (5 km with 2.5 km or 1 km options). Map out the exact route. Have a “rain” plan just in case. If the event is virtual - encourage people to promote what they are doing through their Chapter/PSG and on social media.

Create your goal

Set a goal for the number of participants and for funds to be raised. Encourage people to try and raise as much as they can – every dollar will help advance our work. Register your team or join a team on the JustGiving website.

Share your event

The JustGiving website has incredible capability to be utilized with Facebook, Twitter, and Pinterest feeds. Once you have registered your team you will be able to share the news, invite people to join you and/or donate using the click of a button. Just look for these share links once you set up your fundraising page.

Explore
Drag