Verde Valley Medical Center is hosting an ostomy support group Wednesday, Dec. 3, 4-6 p.m. in VVMC Conference Room B for individuals, family members and friends whose lives have been affected by ostomy surgery.

An ostomy is the result of surgery required when a person has lost normal function of the bowel or bladder due to birth defects, injury or disease. Some have felt alone with their ostomy, apart from the rest of the world. Nothing could be farther from the truth since there are more than one million ostomates in the United States and Canada, and the numbers are increasing at a rate of more than 100,000 annually.

Support groups provide a connection with others in an experience that often can feel isolating, and offer an environment of caring and support where people can learn new information and coping skills.

This complimentary support group is a satellite of the Phoenix Ostomy Chapter, and is facilitated by Susan Lynch, RN, CWOCN, certified wound, ostomy and continence nurse at VVMC. For more information, please call 639-6330.