Our Volunteers
“If you want to touch the past, touch a rock. If you want to touch the present, touch a flower. If you want to touch the future, touch a life.” – unknown
Calgary Ostomy’s Executive Committee at the Step Up For Ostomy event on Sept 25, 2021. Photo by Sean Currie.
Pat Cimmeck, President
Pat is an ileostomate, and has dedicated a large portion of her life to Ostomy Canada Society (formerly UOAC). She has been President and past President of UOAC, served as President and past President of the North and Central America and Caribbean Ostomy Association, is a Director on the FOW(C) BOD, has been President of the Calgary Ostomy Society for many years, and has volunteered for Crohn’s and Colitis Canada in Calgary.
Pat received the Renaissance Great Comebacks Award in 1999 and Ostomy Canada Society’s Maple Leaf Award in 2010. In 2020 she was awarded the Govenor General’s Award for her countless hours over the past 25 years serving as Ostomy Canada Youth Camp Administrator.
Kaylee Janse, Volunteer Visiting Coordinator
Kaylee was diagnosed with Ulcerative Colitis in 2007 and in 2013 her medical journey resulted in a permanent ileostomy. She have been volunteering both with the local Calgary J-pouch group and the Calgary Ostomy Society for over 8 years. She assists with training and coordinating volunteer visitors for both groups to help new and existing patients incorporate the results of their diversion surgeries successfully into their lives.
Priscilla Squibb, Secretary & Social Media
Priscilla has been volunteering with COS since 2020. She was diagnosed with Crohn’s Disease in 2000 and had her first ileostomy in 2002. After a couple reversals and adjustments she now has a colostomy since 2012. While the road has had ups and downs, Priscilla still enjoys life and a good laugh. Volunteering is a pleasure for her and she divides her time between such places as The Drop In Centre, the Parkinson Association of Alberta, as well as with COS, when she isn’t working or absorbed in a good book.
Deanna Desramaux, Vice President & Volunteer Visitor
Deanna’s journey began in 1998 with a diagnosis of a connective tissue disorder known as Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome – the Vascular type. This is the terminal and most dangerous aspect of EDS as it affects the cardio-vascular system along with the joints and muscles. Her large intestines perforated in 2012 which culminated in an irreversible colostomy. Then in 2014 while on a trip to Costa Rica, she found herself in hospital (there’s a story you want to hear!) which resulted in a 10 day stay and a HUGE bill. Thank goodness for insurance! Upon returning to Calgary, surgery was performed and an ileostomy resulted. She connected with the Calgary Ostomy Society in 2017, becoming a volunteer visitor. As per the medical team in 1998 she was given 6-12 months to live. Deanna credits her positive attitude and the help of the amazing doctors, family and friends for her ability to continue to experience life. Feel free to ask Deanna about her diagnosis and her journey to get to where she is now.
Tiffany Shorson, Newsletter Editor & Webmaster
Tiffany is an ileostomate and has served the Calgary Ostomy Society since 2015 as newsletter editor, webmaster and admin. She also volunteers with Ostomy Canada Society too. She underwent pediatric colectomy surgery in 1992, at age 11, due to Ulcerative Colitis. She had her first ileostomy for 7 months, which was reversed with ileoanal pull-through surgery. In 2004 she finally opted for a J-Pouch. She had terrible pouchitis and then in 2009 had a Koch Pouch surgery. That didn’t work out, so she was finally left with a permanent ileostomy in 2011. Tiffany was also diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis and thus retired at a young age from office work. She has learned how to create a life worth living through therapy for depression and trauma, but volunteering has been integral to her healing.
Helmut D., Treasurer & Membership
Helmut is an ileostomate and has been volunteering with COS since 2018.
Volunteer Opportunities
Please check out this web page for new volunteer opportunities!
Exective Committee volunteers must be members, but having an ostomy is not required.
