Polish Ostomy Association POL-ILKO was founded in 1987. With 1500 members in 20 chapters we represent approximately 35000 ostomy patients in Poland. One of very important activities of our association is popularizing volunteers’ assistance to ostomates. Another aspect of our work is education and prevention: we participate in various initiatives focused on health promotion and cancer prevention. POL-ILKO continuously stands up for proper ostomy appliances. We take part in conferences, seminars and debates to elaborate a model of system solutions in appliances supply. We meet representatives of Polish government and state institutions to seek support for ostomates.
We are engaged in numerous social, educational or artistic activities. POL-ILKO was a co-organizer of the artistic contest “My history with cancer. When words are not enough…”. For several years we have organized educational workshops “To familiarize with cancer. What do you know about colon cancer?”. Another initiative was a photographic contest “Family members – my home, my strength”. We are also involved in the “Great Comebacks” program.
This year POL-ILKO will celebrate World Ostomy Day simultaneously with 25th anniversary of its foundation in 1987 and 15th anniversary of the regional Chapter in Tarnobrzeg. On 5-7 of October we will meet in a historical castle in Baranów Sandomierski where a conference together with educational workshops will be held.
