Ostomy Canada Society Inc.

What Ostomy Canada Society Inc. does

Ostomy Canada Society Inc. is a Canadian non-profit charitable organization (CRA Registration No. 119277093RR0001) founded in 1964 and headquartered at 5800 Ambler Drive, Suite 210, Mississauga, Ontario. The organization serves an estimated 165,000+ Canadians living with an ostomy, plus their families, caregivers, and healthcare providers, through a portfolio of peer support, education, advocacy, and community programs delivered across five geographic regions: Pacific, Prairies, Ontario, Quebec, and Atlantic. Approximately 13,000 Canadians undergo ostomy surgery each year, creating a stable pipeline of new beneficiaries into the organization's programs.

Core programs include the certified Ostomy Visitor Program providing pre- and post-surgery peer mentorship, the annual Ostomy Canada Youth Camp at Easter Seals Camp Horizon in Bragg Creek, Alberta serving up to 50 children and youth aged 9-18 with ostomies or related conditions, educational webinars hosted on Microsoft Teams, a Medical Lifestyle Advisory Committee staffed by NSWOC nurses, dietitians, physiotherapists, and physicians, and a national network of chapters and peer support groups. Content distribution occurs through the ostomycanada.ca website, six social media channels (Facebook, Twitter/X, Instagram, LinkedIn, Pinterest, YouTube), the Connects E-Newsletter via Mailchimp, printed brochures and magazines, direct mail campaigns, and awareness campaigns such as the STUCK short film (premiered at the Dances With Films Festival in Hollywood, June 2024).

The organization operates with part-time national staff (1-10 employees) and over 200 active volunteers across Canada. Revenue is generated through individual supporter donations (minimum $25/year, eligible for tax receipt), corporate sponsorships from major ostomy product manufacturers (Coloplast, Hollister, ConvaTec, Wellwise, Best Buy Medical) and the Air Canada Foundation, planned gifts and bequests (stocks, securities, life insurance, charity gift annuities via CanadaHelps), Youth Camp registration fees ($1,250 per camper for 2026), and annual event fundraising (Step Up for Ostomy with a $100,000 goal for 2026, via JustGiving). Ostomy Canada holds no proprietary technology assets and does not participate in the ostomy supply chain; it focuses on advocacy, education, peer support, and financial-resource navigation rather than product distribution.

Name

Ostomy Canada Society Inc.

Legal name

Ostomy Canada Society Inc.

Website

https://ostomycanada.ca

Company type

Private

Founded year

1964

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Ostomy Canada Society Inc. is a Canadian non-profit charitable organization founded in 1964 that supports approximately 165,000 Canadians living with an ostomy through peer support, education, advocacy, and a national network of chapters and peer support groups across five regions.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Nonprofit Patient Support Services

NAICS

Voluntary Health Organizations (813212), Other Individual and Family Services (624190)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300), Services-Health Services (8000)

akta.pro primary industry

Disability Services & Independent Living Support (BPAGACAG)

akta.pro secondary industry

Financial Assistance & Benefits Navigation Services (BPAGAEAK)

Keywords

• Ostomy patient support
• Nonprofit healthcare advocacy
• Peer support programs
• Ostomy education resources
• Chronic disease community

Headquarters

HQ city

Mississauga

HQ country

Canada

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others, Technology or R&D

Revenue model

1. Supporter Donations: Individual donations from supporters who contribute a minimum of $25 annually, receiving tax receipts, e-copies of newsletters, and updates on webinars and special sessions.
2. Corporate Sponsorships and Donations: Corporate donations and event sponsorships from national sponsors (Coloplast, Hollister, ConvaTec, Wellwise, Best Buy Medical) and industry partners. Sponsorships are not CRA-eligible for tax receipts.
3. Planned Gifts and Estate Giving: Bequests and legacy gifts through wills, stocks and securities donations, life insurance, and charity gift annuities. Donations of securities processed via CanadaHelps.
4. Youth Camp Fees: Registration fees for the Ostomy Canada Youth Camp ($1,250 per camper in 2026), supplemented by sponsorship and donation programs for campers needing financial assistance.
5. Annual Events (Step Up for Ostomy): National awareness and fundraising event held each October; participants raise funds through individual and team fundraising pages on JustGiving, with a stated goal of $100,000.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels10 records

Core offering

Ostomy Canada Society Inc. is a Canadian non-profit charitable organization that supports people living with an ostomy and their families through peer support, education, advocacy, and community programs. Its core offerings include the certified Ostomy Visitor Program for one-on-one peer mentorship, a national network of chapters and peer support groups across five regions, an annual Youth Camp for children aged 9-18 with ostomies, educational webinars and the Connects E-News newsletter, a Medical Lifestyle Advisory Committee for clinical Q&A, and federal/provincial advocacy on Disability Tax Credit and NSWOC access. Programs are funded through donations, corporate sponsorships, planned giving, and fundraising events.

Product overview

Ostomy Canada Society Inc. is a non-profit charitable organization (CRA No. 119277093RR0001) dedicated to supporting over 165,000 Canadians living with ostomies. Rather than a technology product company, it offers a portfolio of support programs and services including the Ostomy Canada Connects E-News newsletter, the Ostomy Visitor Program for peer support, the Ostomy Canada Youth Camp for children aged 9-18, the annual Step Up for Ostomy fundraising event, educational webinars via Microsoft Teams, and the Medical Lifestyle Advisory Committee staffed by healthcare professionals. The organization also maintains a national network of chapters and peer support groups, provides financial resource guidance, and conducts ostomy awareness campaigns such as the STUCK short film. Programs are funded through donations, corporate sponsorships (including Coloplast, Hollister, Convatec, Wellwise), and bequests.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Ostomy Canada Youth Camp: Annual youth camp program for young people aged 9-18 with ostomies or related conditions, held at Easter Seals Camp Horizon in Bragg Creek, Alberta.
• Step Up for Ostomy
• Ostomy Canada Connects

Products and services

• Ostomy Visitor Program Certified trained visitors provide one-on-one peer mentorship to individuals pre- and post-ostomy surgery, connecting them to resources and reassurance across Canada. Targeted at people living with an ostomy and their families.
• Ostomy Canada Youth Camp Annual residential camp for children and youth aged 9-18 living with ostomies or related conditions (Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis, bladder exstrophy, cancer, cecostomy tube, Mitrofanoff, spina bifida). Hosted at Easter Seals Camp Horizon in Bragg Creek, Alberta, with accessibility accommodations and camper registration portal.
• Medical Lifestyle Advisory Committee Multi-disciplinary advisory committee of healthcare professionals (NSWOCs, dietitians, physiotherapists, physicians) that provides written Q&A responses to medical and lifestyle questions submitted by people living with an ostomy and their caregivers through the Ostomy Canada website.
• Chapters and Peer Support Groups Network National network of locally-affiliated chapters and peer support groups delivering in-person meetings, peer connections, and community resources to ostomates and families across five Canadian regions (Pacific, Prairies, Ontario, Quebec, Atlantic). Directory is searchable on the Ostomy Canada website.
• Ostomy Canada Connects E-News Regular electronic newsletter distributed via Mailchimp that delivers ostomy stories, educational resources, webinar announcements, community news, and organizational updates to subscribers and annual supporters of Ostomy Canada Society.
• Ostomy Canada Webinars Recurring educational webinar series providing ostomy education to patients, families, and healthcare professionals, hosted via Microsoft Teams with interactive Slido Q&A and on-demand archive access.
• Ostomy 101 Education Resources Comprehensive online educational resource library covering all ostomy types (colostomy, ileostomy, urostomy, continent diversions, jejunostomy, nephrostomy, gastrostomy), stoma care basics, diet and nutrition, products and supplies, health and wellness, and demographic-specific topics.
• Financial Resources Program Program offering guidance and resources on Federal Disability Tax Benefits, CRA financial benefits, ostomy supply reimbursement, national and provincial government funding programs, and Ostomy Canada Education Awards for ostomates and family members pursuing education.

Named customers4 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration3 records

Partnerships

13 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• ColoplastcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerNational sponsor of Ostomy Canada Society. Coloplast is a leading manufacturer of ostomy care products. Partnership supports Ostomy Canada's programs, events (including Youth Camp), and educational resources.
• Hollister CanadacoreGTM or Marketing PartnerNational sponsor and industry partner of Ostomy Canada Society. Hollister is a major ostomy product manufacturer. Partnership supports programs and events.
• ConvaTeccoreGTM or Marketing PartnerNational sponsor of Ostomy Canada Society. ConvaTec manufactures advanced wound and ostomy care products. Partnership supports programs and events.
• Wellwise (Shop Wellwise)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerNational sponsor of Ostomy Canada Society, providing ostomy-related products through the Wellwise retail platform.
• Best Buy MedicalminorGTM or Marketing PartnerNational sponsor of Ostomy Canada Society, offering medical supply products.
• NSWOCC (Nurses Specialized in Wound, Ostomy and Continence Canada)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNSWOCC is a key professional stakeholder and liaison partner. Ostomy Canada works closely with NSWOCC on advocacy for access to NSWOC nurses and maintains a Find a NSWOC directory on its website. The organizations collaborate on clinical guidance and education.
• Easter Seals Camp HorizoncoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHost venue for Ostomy Canada Youth Camp. Easter Seals Camp Horizon in Bragg Creek, Alberta provides an all-accessible facility for children and youth with disabilities and medical conditions, including ostomies.
• Ostomy AthleticsminorGTM or Marketing PartnerIndustry partner of Ostomy Canada Society, offering ostomy-specific athletic products and apparel.
• Crohn's and Colitis CanadaminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNational health charity collaborating with Ostomy Canada on shared advocacy goals and awareness, as both organizations support individuals with inflammatory bowel disease.
• Bladder Cancer CanadaminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNational health charity working with Ostomy Canada on shared patient advocacy and awareness, particularly for individuals who have undergone urinary diversion surgery.
• UOAA (United Ostomy Associations of America)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerInternational counterpart organization in the United States. Ostomy Canada maintains liaison and collaboration with UOAA on ostomy awareness and advocacy.
• OstomySale.caTechnology or IntegrationIndustry partner of Ostomy Canada Society, offering ostomy products for sale.
• Friends of Ostomates Worldwide Canada (FOWC)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCharitable organization providing support to ostomates globally. FOWC representatives (John Molnar and Richard Olley) speak at local ostomy support group meetings.

Scale indicators9 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• United Ostomy Associations of America (UOAA): National U.S. ostomy patient organization with the same mission (peer support, education, advocacy) and similar programs (visitor program, chapters, awareness). UOAA is the closest international counterpart to Ostomy Canada Society and a formal liaison partner.
• International Ostomy Association (IOA): Global umbrella body coordinating national ostomy associations across regions. Same ostomy-specific mission; provides the international coordination layer that Ostomy Canada engages with but does not operate.
• Friends of Ostomates Worldwide Canada (FOWC): Canadian charitable organization dedicated to supporting ostomates globally through supply donations and outreach. Directly comparable ostomy-focused mission and overlapping speaker/advocacy network with Ostomy Canada.

Broad incumbents

• Easter Seals Canada: National disability-focused nonprofit that operates accessible camp programs; hosts the Ostomy Canada Youth Camp at Easter Seals Camp Horizon. Comparable nonprofit operating model with shared infrastructure and overlapping pediatric disability cohort.
• Crohn's and Colitis Canada: National Canadian charity supporting patients with inflammatory bowel disease, a primary underlying condition leading to ostomy surgery. Overlapping patient population, similar advocacy model, and a formal partnership with Ostomy Canada on shared advocacy goals.
• Multiple Sclerosis Society of Canada: National Canadian health charity delivering peer support, advocacy, and education to people living with a chronic condition. Comparable chapter-and-services nonprofit structure, donor-funded, and patient-advocacy oriented — though operating at substantially larger scale.
• Canadian Cancer Society: Largest national Canadian health charity, providing peer support, information, and advocacy for cancer patients — many of whom undergo ostomy surgery. Comparable nonprofit operating model with shared patient population and donor base, though at a much larger scale.
• Bladder Cancer Canada: National Canadian charity for bladder cancer patients, many of whom undergo urinary diversion surgery resulting in urostomies. Comparable patient-advocacy nonprofit model with overlapping urostomy patient population and formal partnership with Ostomy Canada.

Emerging players

• Spina Bifida & Hydrocephalus Canada: National Canadian disability nonprofit supporting people with spina bifida and hydrocephalus — a cohort that intersects with the Ostomy Canada Youth Camp population. Comparable small-scale chapter-based nonprofit advocacy model with shared camper/patient overlap.
• Spinal Cord Injury Canada: National Canadian disability nonprofit providing peer support, advocacy, and independent-living services. Comparable mission and operating model focused on disability services and independent living support, relevant as a benchmark for member-services delivery to a chronic-condition population.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xtwitter.com/OstomyCanada
• YouTubeyoutube.com/user/ostomycanada
• Facebookfacebook.com/OstomyCanada
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/ostomy-canada-society
• Instagraminstagram.com/ostomy_canada

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles3 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Ostomy Canada Society Inc.