The campaign launch
European Ostomy Awareness Campaign
Living with an ostomy: from invisible struggles to visible change.
In Europe, an estimated 700.000 people live with an ostomy, a figure that is expected to grow due to an ageing population and the increasing prevalence of colorectal diseases yet remains a relatively obscure condition.
In Spring 2025, Invisible launched a social media awareness campaign on Instagram, LinkedIn, and Facebook across six EU countries by uploading a sequence of nine posts highlighting how those living with an ostomy bag can live productive and full lives. The results of the campaign were presented to in the European Parliament and coincided with the launch of Invisible’s policy book.
WHAT WE STAND FOR
the very first Europe-wide discussions
Living with an ostomy: from invisible struggles to visible change
Cittadinanzattiva-Active Citizenship Network and the Italian Federation of Incontinent and Stomised Associations (FAIS) have launched a European-wide initiative, with the unconditional support of Coloplast, for the recognition of the rights of people with ostomy. New civic recommendations have been presented. Many people live with invisible health conditions: no topic should be taboo, especially when it comes to individual health.
The policy dialogue event, held at the European Parliament on 26 March 2025, was one of the very first Europe-wide discussions on ostomy, where ‘(IN)VISIBLE’, the first EU ostomy awareness campaign, was also presented. Organized by Active Citizenship Network and endorsed by the MEPs Interest Group “European Patients’ Rights & Cross-Border Healthcare, the event was part of the EU multi-annual project “Overcoming new challenges for advocacy of people with intimate health conditions in Europe”.
Thanks to all the participants, patient groups, stoma patients and health policy experts. Special thanks to MEP Stefano Bonaccini, who hosted us, and MEP Letizia Moratti for her presence, the sensitivity she demonstrated and the commitments she made.
