IV 

118TH CONGRESS 

1ST SESSION H. RES. 766 

Supporting the designation of October 7, 2023, as National Ostomy 

Awareness Day. 

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 

OCTOBER 6, 2023 

Mr. PAYNE (for himself, Mr. LANDSMAN, Mr. DAVIS of Illinois, Ms. SEWELL, 

Mrs. WATSON COLEMAN, Mr. DAVIS of North Carolina, Mr. CLEAVER, 

Mr. TONKO, Mr. NADLER, Ms. NORTON, and Ms. WILD) submitted the 

following resolution 

OCTOBER 25, 2023 

Referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce 

RESOLUTION 

Supporting the designation of October 7, 2023, as National 

Ostomy Awareness Day. 

Whereas an ostomy is a type of surgery that creates an opening 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 birth defects, colorectal 

cancer, bladder cancer, Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis, 

and other medical conditions; 

Whereas an ostomy is also necessary in cases of severe abdominal or pelvic trauma resulting from accidents or 

from injuries sustained during military service; 


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Whereas approximately 725,000 to 1,000,000 people in the 

United States have an ostomy or continent diversion, 

with approximately 100,000 new ostomy procedures performed each year; 

Whereas ostomy or continent diversion surgery can occur at 

any age and does not lower life expectancy; 

Whereas through the efforts of ostomy support organizations, 

people needing these surgeries are becoming more aware 

of the opportunities for education, mutual aid, advocacy, 

and support that are of such great benefit to them and 

their families; 

Whereas the aim of National Ostomy Awareness Day is to 

work toward a society where people with ostomies and intestinal or urinary diversions are universally accepted and 

supported socially, economically, medically, and psychologically; 

Whereas October 7, 2023, marks the 13th anniversary of 

Ostomy Awareness Day, whose theme is ‘‘Ostomies are 

Life-savers’’; 

Whereas public education and awareness is vital to ensure 

those who are living with an ostomy face no discrimination and are accepted as normal, healthy individuals; 

Whereas through education and awareness we can erase the 

myths, stigma, and embarrassment that are sometimes 

associated with having an ostomy; 

Whereas there is a deep commitment to the proper care and 

advancement of knowledge about bowel and urinary diversion surgery as a result of birth defects, disease, injury, and other digestive disorders; and 

Whereas to increase public acceptance of ostomy surgery and 

continent diversion surgery and to remind those who have 


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had surgery in the United States that by raising awareness they can help the world better understand this lifesaving surgery and help people receive better ostomy 

care: Now, therefore, be it 

1 Resolved, That the House of Representatives— 

2 (1) supports the goals and ideals of National 

3 Ostomy Awareness Day; 

4 (2) encourages all persons to share with others 

5 how ‘‘Ostomies are Life-Savers’’; and 

6 (3) encourages the people of the United States 

7 to observe this annual day with the appropriate 

8 awareness and educational activities. 

Æ 


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