Past Events
On October 1, 2025 a few Ohio Ostomates were honored to see Ostomy Awareness Month be recognized across the entire State of Ohio. This is a powerful step forward in raising awareness and affirming the dignity of thousands of residents living with ostomies in Ohio.
We were honored to receive the proclamation on behalf of all Ostomates at the Ohio State Capitol.
We all were blessed to celebrate this amazing day together my Ostomates sistas Angie Davenport -Bessed with a Bag, Mika Heidelburg and Tonya Kelly!!! Check out our personal testimonies.
Special blessings to Sonya Davenport for our fabulous blinged out Tees and hats Bebe Chery - for our amazing ostomy ribbon color earrings.
Angie Davenport
Mika Heidelburg
Tonya Kelly
Ostomy Awareness 2024 was nothing short of AMAZING!
We brought ostomates, family, and friends together for a powerful, joy-filled weekend of connection, courage, and celebration.
The festivities kicked off with a lively meet and greet, followed by the inspiring UOAA Run for Resilience— where strength, resilience, and community were on full display.
The weekend reached new heights with the first-ever Blessed With a Bag Sneaker Ball Fundraiser! Guests enjoyed an unforgettable evening of live jazz, delicious dining, and a show-stopping fashion experience. The runway was set ablaze by incredible models — all proud ostomates or survivors — confidently owning their stories and redefining beauty.
It was more than an event. It was a movement. A celebration of resilience. A reminder that we are truly Blessed With a Bag.
Hosted by Safe and Simple June 23, 2024
Angie was the guest speaker at the Michigan Support Group’s annual picnic hosted by Safe and Simple. The topic of discussion was Traveling with an Ostomy. It was very enlightening for the ostomates to learn that you can safely travel with an ostomy. She shared key information on traveling with an ostomy, along with her personal travel experiences. With her ostomy, she has taken multiple cruised, traveled to Aruba, Hawaii, Canada, Dominican Republic, and has visited several cities within the United States.
There are no limitations to traveling with an ostomy, but it does require careful planning and preparation.
My 2nd Run for Resilience was held on October 5, 2023 at Perkins Park in Warren, Ohio. We came in 1st place nationally in fundraising with hosting a large raffle of items donated from local businesses, family and friends.
Medical suppliers and ostomy nurses were present to provide valuable information.
The United Ostomy Associations of America (UOAA) National Conference was held in Houston, Texas, in August 2023. It was an incredible experience connecting with and coming together with other ostomates from all over the country. The conference was filled with informative sessions, medical vendors and ended with a cowboy dance party. As a result of the conference, I still maintain connections with some of the ostomates I met in Houston.
Detroit, Michigan
I volunteered at the registration desk for the Michigan Support Groups’ annual picnic. Between the medical vendors, lunch, and meeting more than 50 incredible ostomates, it was a day filled with connection, support, and community.
Since receiving my ostomy in March 1982, I have consistently sought out sisters who have undergone similar procedures. Over the years, I had attended several support group sessions, but unfortunately, I never encountered individuals who resembled me.
Fortunately, social media has provided me with an opportunity to connect with other sisters, enabling us to share our experiences.
God granted me a vision to organize a meetup. In August 2021, I established “It’s All About The Bag” gathering. It was a meticulously planned, memorable weekend with the following individuals:
- Jearlean Taylor, Baltimore, MD
- Lateasha Thompson, Baltimore, MD
- Sarah Mays, Detroit, MI
- Manisha Hurt, Detroit, MI
- Shontee McMillion, Detroit/Baltimore
This provided an exceptional opportunity for some of us to meet in person for the first time. The weekend included a meet and greet, a photo shoot, and a patio dinner in Warren, Ohio. We also embarked on a luncheon cruise on the Nautica Queen in Cleveland, Ohio, and enjoyed breakfast at a local establishment and dinner at Wasabi.
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In October 2020, I hosted my first Run/Walk for Resilience. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the event was held virtually, with participants joining from Cleveland, New Jersey, Atlanta, and California. We walked a 5K around my neighborhood to raise awareness and support for ostomates. I was also honored to receive a Proclamation from the City of Warren in recognition of this event.