ConvaTec launches Healthy Bonds Campaign

BRIDGEWATER, N.J. – ConvaTec has launched a month-long effort to celebrate the ostomy community and to mark World Ostomy Day on Oct. 2. As part of its Healthy Bonds Campaign during the month of October, ConvaTec is encouraging ostomates to share their stories of healthy body images and medical, professional and personal relationships on Instagram using the hashtag #myhealthybonds. The campaign will also include advertising and influencer amplification to tell the inspiring stories of the Healthy Bonds that support the ostomy community. "Healthy Bonds are a crucial part of the healing process for ostomy patients post-surgery,” said Mani Gopal, president and COO at ConvaTec. “These bonds represent both the physical and emotional connections ostomates have with their ostomy, their family and friends, and the community around them. Our Healthy Bonds campaign encourages ostomates to showcase how they're embracing life with an ostomy through an array of inspiring stories that celebrates the resiliency of our community." ConvaTec also hosted a virtual Global Patient Summit on Oct. 1 to empower ostomates around the world who might need additional resources as COVID-19 has limited their opportunities to receive home care and peer-to-peer support and mentoring. Sessions focused on the topics "This is My Life Now" and "Healthy Bonds" to help ostomates recognize they are part of a strong, supportive community and not going through their experiences alone. The United Ostomies Associations of America, Inc. (UOAA) estimates approximately 100,000 temporary and permanent ostomy surgeries occur each year, with a total of 725,000 to 1 million people living with ostomies in the United States.