Urostomy Association

10/10/2026

Urostomy facts uncovered #4: How is a urostomy made?

A urostomy is usually created using a short section of small bowel, between 10–20cm long.

During surgery, this piece of small bowel (the ileum) is separated from the rest of the bowel, keeping its own blood supply. The two remaining ends of the bowel are then joined back together, so digestion carries on as before.

The ureters – the tubes that carry urine from the kidneys – are attached to one end of the new section, and the other end is brought out through the abdomen to form the stoma. That’s why a urostomy is often called an 'ileal conduit': it’s a channel made from ileum.

Want to know more? See the 'what is a urostomy' web page: https://urostomyassociation.org.uk/information-pages/what-is-a-urostomy/

09/10/2026

Urostomy facts uncovered #3 💙

Did you know? Urostomies are the lesser-known stoma. In one UK study of health records, they made up about 9% of established stomas, behind colostomies (65%) and ileostomies (26%).

All three are openings on the abdomen, but they do different jobs. Colostomies and ileostomies divert waste from the bowel, while a urostomy carries urine, after the bladder has been removed or bypassed.

Because urostomies are less common, they’re often less understood, even sometimes by people who know about other stomas. That can leave people living with a urostomy feeling like they have to explain themselves again and again.

This Urostomy Awareness Month, we’re helping to change that, one fact at a time. Keep an eye out for the next one!

👉 Please share this post to help raise awareness. You never know who might need to see it.

Thank you to Hollister Incorporated for the photo.

08/10/2026

💡 Urostomy facts uncovered #2 💡

Did you know? A Urostomy Association survey suggests that almost 75% of people who have urinary bypass surgery do so because of a cancer diagnosis, most commonly bladder cancer.

But cancer isn't the only reason. People can also have a urostomy because of:

* Long-term bladder pain
* Neurological conditions
* Conditions present from birth
* Injury
* Damage caused by radiotherapy

Whatever the reason, no one living with a urostomy should feel alone. The Urostomy Association is here to offer support, information and a friendly community. 🤝

This Urostomy Awareness Month, please share this post to help raise awareness.

Looking for information or support? https://urostomyassociation.org.uk/

08/10/2026

👟 Week one done! 👟

Our Chairman, Brian Fretwell, has been all over the place during the first week of his Take a Wee Walk challenge, including:

🌸 A stroll through RHS Harlow Carr near Harrogate
🏡 A wander around the village of Stokesley
🏰 And a mile up Princes Street in Edinburgh, after representing the Urostomy Association at the Scottish Stoma Care Conference!

Brian's sharing these photos to show that wherever they are, he and his wife Glynis are managing to get their steps in. Well done to you both! 👏

Are you taking part in the Take a Wee Walk challenge too? We'd love to see where your miles are taking you, so please share your photos in the comments or create a post of your own! 📸👇

If you'd like to spur Brian and Glynis on with their Wee Walk please sponsor them: https://shorturl.at/veSix

07/10/2026

Did you know? Around 2,500 people in the UK have urostomy surgery every year to create a urinary bypass.

A urostomy is an opening on the stomach (called a stoma) that allows urine to leave the body after the bladder has been removed or bypassed. The most common reason is bladder cancer, but people of all ages have urostomies for many other reasons too, including birth conditions, injury and other illnesses.

Behind every number is a person getting on with life: working, travelling, swimming, spending time with family and friends. Yet many people have never heard of a urostomy, and that lack of awareness can leave those living with one feeling isolated.

This Urostomy Awareness Month, we're sharing a series of facts and figures to help change that. Keep an eye out for the next one!

👉 Please share this post to help raise awareness. You never know who might need to see it.

05/10/2026

** TOMORROW ** Tuesday 6 October 12:00
Writing or updating a will is one of those things that’s easy to keep putting off – usually because it’s hard to know where to start. That’s why the Urostomy Association has partnered with Octopus Legacy, which is hosting a free online session to walk through it properly.

One of their expert Estate Planning Consultants will cover:

👍What to consider when writing or updating your will
👍Choosing guardians and executors
👍Wills and trusts
👍Lasting Powers of Attorney
👍How to leave a gift to a charity, such as the Urostomy Association
👍How Octopus Legacy’s will writing service works
👍How you can claim a free simple will this Autumn

You’re welcome to just listen in, and there’ll be time for questions at the end.

Register here: https://urostomyassociation.org.uk/event/free-webinar-your-will-questions-answered-2026-10-06/

05/10/2026

👣💛 THANK YOU to everyone taking a Wee Walk this October!
We're just a few days into our very first Urostomy Awareness Month, and we're already blown away by all of you lacing up your trainers and getting your miles in.
Whether you're doing a daily mile, saving it up for weekend strolls with family, walking with your local support group, or bringing the dog along for the ride – every single step is helping someone facing a urostomy know they're not walking alone. 🙌
Thank you too to everyone who has sponsored a walker. Every pound helps keep our helpline, support groups and information free for everyone who needs them.

Fancy joining in? There's still plenty of time! 🚶‍♀️🚶‍♂️
The challenge is simple: walk 31 miles across October, however suits you. You don't need to be a great walker – you just need to be willing to start. And if you're joining a little late, don't worry, you can easily catch up over a few weekend walks!
✅ Sign up for free and we'll send you a participant pack, a mile tracker – and your very own t-shirt!
👉 https://urostomyassociation.org.uk/news/take-a-wee-walk/
💚 Set up your JustGiving page here: https://www.justgiving.com/campaign/takeaweewalk
We'd love to see how you're getting on – share your photos in the comments below! 📸

04/10/2026

03/10/2026

💙 Today, Saturday 3 October, is International Ostomy Awareness Day, and we're already on a roll with ! 💙

All month, we're on a mission to put urostomies in the spotlight and break down the stigma that too often surrounds them. And we're doing it with style!

Meet Malcolm, our brilliant member who stepped in front of the camera for us to show his urostomy, both on its own and under his everyday clothes.

"When I first had my urostomy, I'd never even heard the word, and I didn't know anyone else who had one. I worried about what I could wear, whether people would notice, and whether life would ever feel normal again. I said yes to this photo shoot because I want people to see that it does."

"My urostomy saved my life, and I'm not ashamed of it. If one person facing surgery sees these pictures and feels a little less frightened, or someone feels more confident about getting out in the world, then it's been worth it."

✨ YOUR TURN: ME AND MY UROSTOMY ✨

Inspired by Malcolm? Later this month we're launching 'Me and My Urostomy', a new web page celebrating real people living full lives, and we'd love you to be part of it!

📧 If you feel comfortable, email a photo of yourself with your urostomy bag to Samantha at [email protected], with a short statement beginning: "I'm sharing this photo of me with my urostomy because…"

📲 And/or share your photo on your own social media using and tagging .

Your photo could be the one that reassures someone facing surgery. Together, we can build awareness and understanding, one photo at a time. 💪

02/10/2026

💛This year we're launching the UK's first-ever Urostomy Awareness Month, and we'd love you to be part of it.

Around 2,500 people in the UK have urostomy surgery every year. Yet many urostomates tell us they feel isolated, misunderstood and invisible afterwards. This month is about changing that: breaking the stigma, connecting people to support, and celebrating our amazing community.

Here's how you can get involved:

🚶 Take a Wee Walk: walk 31 miles across October, one for every day of the month. Go at your own pace, anywhere you like. You'll get a fundraising pack and campaign t-shirt when you sign up. It's not too late to start!
✉️ Write to your local paper: we'll give you a simple template letter to adapt and send.
💙 Support our appeal: every donation helps keep our services free for everyone who needs them.
📱 Spread the word: share our posts, stories and fact cards throughout the month.
💻 Join our Insights Day: a free online webinar on 26 October about trends in urinary bypass care.

Whether you walk a mile, write a letter or simply share this post, every voice counts. Let's make our first Urostomy Awareness Month one to remember!

👉 Find out more: https://urostomyassociation.org.uk/news/urostomy-awareness-month/

Tell us in the comments: how are YOU taking part this October? 👇