Color of Gastrointestinal Illnesses, Inc. (COGI - Co-Gee)

Ok COGI fam, we’re bringing back The Cookout with a revamped feel. Tell a friend to tell a friend so all of you can attend Equity In GI together! ?? As one of our opportunities to let your hair down and network, The Cookout offers great food options and gives a family reunion feel that feeds the soul. This year, we have so much more in store with an Opening Reception that’ll take you back to the ‘99 and the 2000’s and a close out that brings us back to why COGI hosts Equity in GI. Register to secure your spot: equityingi.org

??EVENT ALERT?? This year in honor of Crohn’s and Colitis Awareness Week, COGI is hosting in-person and virtual #InLivingCOGI events for our community to participate in. December 1-7, 2024 - You and COGI are Rollin’ for Remission. You can bowl for IBD, skate for IBD, and even step out for IBD through our walking challenge! Don’t miss out on a good time as we focus on ways to support patients in their journey to remission as well as a better quality of life! To learn more about all things #InLivingCOGI, head to colorofgi.org/inlivingcogi.

“As an infant, l underwent a surgery that left me with colostomy bag before I even knew what it meant to be “normal.” Growing up, I never quite felt like I belonged anywhere or amongst any group of individuals. My childhood was unlike most children as it was marked by hospital visits, medical term I didn’t understand, and a body l couldn’t quite connect with. For as long as I can remember, my body didn’t feel like my own.” ?Read more of Patricia Norzeron’s story by visiting https://lnkd.in/eN2fJ9MA To learn more about our #WithAnOstomy campaign, head to https://lnkd.in/d6rP9uk2.

“Balancing grief and gratitude continues to be a working progress for me, but that’s where self-care comes in. My body needs and deserves more rest, esp. after an ostomy pouch change. So, I rest when I can and still do the things that I enjoy, such as date nights with my husband, watching movies or experiencing new places and restaurants. My ostomy is a constant reminder of how far I have come and how much more life I get to live.” ?You can read more of Ayana Graves’ story by visiting https://lnkd.in/eHffwQQ8 To learn more about our #WithAnOstomy campaign, head to https://lnkd.in/d6rP9uk2.

“In a society that stigmatizes the conversations that we need to have the most, it’s hard to find your place as a teen/young adult wearing your stool on your abdomen. What will people say? What will they think of me? How will I explain? Will my body ever be seen as attractive ever again? These topics constantly overwhelmed me.” Read more of Kagan Ellis’ story, “Self Confidence and Purposeful Visibility with an Ostomy”, by visiting https://lnkd.in/ew3ku7Mt. Don’t forget to hop on our IG Live, Beauty and the Bag, at 12:00P with Ashley Turner and Tionna Forchion! IG: instagram.com/colorofgi To learn more about our #WithAnOstomy campaign for World Ostomy Day, head to https://lnkd.in/d6rP9uk2.

World Ostomy Day is an opportunity to celebrate ostomates and the medical intervention that saved their lives, ostomies. Embracing the new version of who they are, we’re highlighting stories of the many ways our ostomate community thrives. You can read Ashley Turner’s story, “Fashion as a Form of Empowerment: Embracing My Ostomy with Confidence and Style” by visiting https://lnkd.in/eVVu4biD ? https://lnkd.in/d6rP9uk2

??IG Live on World Ostomy Day?? Saturday, October 5th 12:00 PM ET Beauty and the Bag with Ashley Turner & Tionna Forchion? Join us tomorrow for a discussion on all things beauty, fashion, and self care #WithAnOstomy. Get your questions ready because you don’t want to miss these tips and tricks! IG: instagram.com/colorofgi You can also learn more about our amazing ostomate community by visiting https://lnkd.in/d6rP9uk2

??Ostomy Awareness Day is almost here!?? Check out our IG Live tonight with COGI Ambassadors D’andre Hardy and Tasha Stewart, and head to https://lnkd.in/d6rP9uk2 for more stories from our amazing ostomate community ?????????????????? IG: instagram.com/colorofgi

Community Conversations is back this fall, and we're bringing important discussions on health equity directly to HBCU campuses! Check out our upcoming dates and locations below. We can't wait to engage with students, faculty, and staff to further the conversation on GI health and health disparities in underserved communities. Here’s where we’ll be next: Talladega College: September 23 at 5 PM EST Delaware State University: September 26 at 6 PM EST Tuskegee University: October 1 at 5 PM EST Lincoln University of Missouri: October 22 at 5 PM EST Join us and be part of the movement! More details at colorofgi.org/hbcutour

Community Conversations is BACK! ?? Get the first look at our Fall Semester dates for our live events. Rep your college in the comments and if you know a student at these schools, tell them to sign up! Link: https://lnkd.in/eXn9GyAz