Ann Favreau

I was a teacher for 27 years before retiring in 1992. My life took a significant turn in 1988 when I was diagnosed with colorectal cancer and had ostomy surgery. I joined a local ostomy support group and became president, which began my journey in ostomy advocacy. I went up the chairs in the national organization and served as president of the United Ostomy Association, though this was all volunteer work, not paid. After that, I served as secretary to the International Ostomy Association for 6 years. Currently, I'm Vice President of the Friends of Ostomates Worldwide USA, an organization that sends donated ostomy supplies free to people in 109 countries outside of the U.S. They've recycled me to vice president after I went up the chairs in that organization as well. I've self-published 8 books, including 'It's Okay to Have an Ostomy,' which has been read worldwide and has allowed me to provide education, inspiration, and hope to a lot of people. More recently, after being a caregiver for my husband who had vascular dementia for 5 years, I published 'Life Under Construction, A Caregiver's Journey Through Dementia.' I give presentations to civic and women's groups and still run an ostomy support group once a month. I'm very active in my church, the Lions Club where I've been a member for over 45 years, and I just finished a whole matching funds campaign for FOW USA. I've been using my mind and my body for a long time, and I believe in staying active and engaged.

• Master's degree in early childhood education
• 1984

• Lions Club (45+ years)
• United Ostomy Association (past president)
• International Ostomy Association (past secretary)
• Friends of Ostomates Worldwide USA (Vice President)

• Vice President of Friends of Ostomates Worldwide USA
• Runs monthly ostomy support group
• Active in church
• Gives presentations to civic and women's groups
• Matching funds campaign for FOW USA