The European Ostomy Association

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World Ostomy Award Inspiration Catalogue

3 weeks ago

The World Ostomy Award Inspiration Catalogue brings together a selection of inspiring, award-winning initiatives from 2022 and 2025, showcasing how ostomy associations and communities around the world are turning local…

Memories of Marie Steen, by Jon Thorkelsson

3 weeks ago

I first met Marie Steen on a Nordic conference in Reykjavik in 2006. And what a pleasure it turned out to be. At the first lunch I sat between her…

Marie Steen – Sweden

3 weeks ago

Former member of the EOA Committee, Marie Steen will be remembered as someone who has always fought for the right of ostomy patients to ostomy aids, the right to consultation…

Ria Smeijers

3 weeks ago

With deep sorrow EOA EC has to inform about the passing of Ria Smeijers, former chairwoman of the Ostomy Association of The Netherlands and former President of the European Ostomy…

Obituary Prof. Dr Gerhard Englert

4 months ago

It’s with great sadness that the European Ostomy Association EOA announces that Prof. Dr. Gerhard Englert, founder of EOA, passed away on 27 May 2026 as a result of a…

Isabella Grosu short EOA activities report 2022 – 2025

10 months ago

Report on World Ostomy Awareness Day 2025

11 months ago

Report on World Ostomy Awareness Day 2025 Download

World Ostomy Award 2025 Winners

1 year ago

🎉 Celebrating the winners of the World Ostomy Award 2025 🎉 Across the world, patient associations are turning this year’s World Ostomy Day theme – “Invisible disabilities, visible support –…

EOA elects their new Executive Council

1 year ago

At the House of Delegates, held in Norway on Saturday 10th May, the EOA elected their Executive Council for the next three year term. Jon Thorkelsson, from Iceland, was re-elected…

Uganda and Kampala Ostomy Awareness and Education Program

2 years ago

In January, EOA President, Jon Thorkelsson, took part in an ostomy awareness and education program starting in Uganda. Ostomy organisations chairpersons from Africa, stoma nurses, ostomates and others attended. Awareness…

Ostomates without borders

2 years ago

The French ostomy association (l’Union d’Associations Francaises des Stomisés, UAFS) will hold its annual online event “Ostomates without borders” on 3 October. This event brings together ostomy associations of French…

Ria Smeijers Honoured

2 years ago

Former President of European Ostomy Association, Ria Smeijers of The Netherlands, was honoured at the IOA Congress in Singapore in October with the prestigious Archie Vinitsky Award. The Award is…

EDF Survey

2 years ago

EDF are seeking your support with two surveys: one on experiences of persons with disabilities in cancer screening and treatment, and a second on how your national climate policies include…

World Ostomy Day Postponed

2 years ago

World Ostomy Day is usually celebrated every three years on the first Saturday in October. However, it is with regret that we report that World Ostomy Day has been postponed…

European Disability Card approved by the European Parliament – only bureaucratic hurdle remains

2 years ago

On 24th April, the European Parliament debated and approved the content of the provisional agreement on the European Disability Card and European Parking Card, which had been reached in February.…