National Stomal Therapy Week 

24-30 June 2024

Uniquely You ! 

The AASTN is proud to present National Stomal Therapy Week being held during 24-30 June 2024 ! This year we will be celebrating the diversity of ostomates and those that support them. These supporters include families, carers, Ostomy Associations, industry, educators, stomal therapy nurses and other members of the health care team.

We have teamed up with the amazing Australian graphic designer MJ Pureza (www.mjpix.com), who has created an image that brilliantly conveys the positive energy we wish to associate with NSTW.

We invite you to share the ‘Uniquely You !’ message. A range of materials showcasing the message are available for downloading below, including a screensaver, posters and email footers (one with the NSTW dates and one without, so you can use it throughout the year). We have also arranged for you to be able to purchase Uniquely You ! merchandise from Red Bubble. These mugs, T-shirts, badges, tote bags, note pads and stickers feature the Uniquely You ! graphic and could be used in your local campaigns and as prizes or giveaways. Link to Redbubble: Red Bubble AASTN Merch

Remember to ‘send us your selfies’ via [email protected] of your local campaigns.

2024 'Uniquely You!' Campaign Material to Download
'Helping Solve the Stoma Puzzle' Documents to Download

Suggested activities to help celebrate National Stomal Therapy Week include:

        • A display of information related to bowel and stomas. Perhaps a stall or table inside the foyer of your hospital or local shopping centre
        • Wearing of promotional t-shirts or caps by Stomal Therapy Nurses, Surgeons and Colorectal Ward Staff
        • Collaborate with local groups for joint activities to be held through the week eg Cancer Council, Stoma Support Groups, Crohn’s and Colitis Association – how can they help?
        • Contact the local radio station – ‘Interview with an STN’

Look at some of the activities undertaken in previous years. Be sure to send us photos of your celebrations !

National Stomal Therapy Week (NSTW) is designed to both acknowledge and provide support to people living with a stoma and recognise those health professionals and support agencies involved in their care.  Stomal Therapy Nurses (STN’s) from around Australia are encouraged to recognise, publicise and celebrate this important event by participating in a variety of activities to promote healthier living for people with stomas and raise awareness of the role of the STN.

The AASTN is appreciative of the support provided to ostomates and STN’s from our industry partners in the promotion of NSTW.

Year

2022

National Stomal Therapy Week

20-26 June - Together we've got this !

Year

2023

National Stomal Therapy Week

19-25 June - Imagine ! What can you be?

Year

2024

National Stomal Therapy Week

24-30 June - Uniquely You !

Year

2025

National Stomal Therapy Week

23-29 June

Year

2026

National Stomal Therapy Week

22-28 June
NSTW

The History of National Stomal Therapy Week.

In 1986 at the World Council of Enterostomal Therapists Congress in Perth, Western Australia, Mr Neal Blewett (Federal Minister for Health) announced approval for a week in June to be designated National Stomal Therapy Week. It was registered with the Health Department and was held annually beginning after the second Sunday in June.~ Keryln Carville February 2000, Updated 2004

To ensure a full week was able to be dedicated to NSTW awareness events, the Tasmanian Branch proposed that the dates of the NSTW be changed to avoid the Queen’s Birthday public holiday. The new dates of NSTW were agreed to be ‘starting on the Monday of the last full week of June’. ~ 2022 AASTN Annual General Meeting