Has the Phoenix Magazine folded?

[22Sunpuperwolf22]

I have been a subscriber of the Phoenix Magazine since 2007 when I had my ileostomy surgery and have gained a lot of knowledge regarding my ileostomy and several related topics regarding vitamins, minerals, and other related ostomy topics, and I really like the magazine. The UOAA ostomy group is not located in my city where I live so I depend on the Phoenix to learn about Medicare, ostomy related topics, and so forth. In the past I could subscribe to the magazine on the web, and since my last subscription in September 2024, I no longer can renew or subscribe to the Phoenix on the web anymore. When I go to the UOAA website, I am given a number to call to renew my subscription and no person answers the phone. I have left a message on various days, different times of the day, different weeks, and I never get a call back.. Has the Phoenix magazine folded? Are they no longer taking anymore subscriptions or renewals?

[Mara]

I received one for Fall 2025....and the last time I paid was January of 2024 as far as I can see....

[22Sunpuperwolf22]

Hi Mara,

My last subscription I paid for was September 2024 and that expired September 2025. I received the Fall issue, and sadly I haven't been able to reach them since my subscription expired in September to renew it for another year. I'm not sure if they are continuing their magazine for future subscriptions or what. I'm sad that I won't be reading and learning from those experts in the field any longer.

[Bob Webtech]

Unfortunately, the magazine has indeed folded. Here is a recent statement that UOAA sent to its affiliated support groups:

The Phoenix Magazine is Closing

We have some difficult news to share regarding The Phoenix magazine, UOAA’s official publication. After his thoughtful review and consideration, our publisher, Ian Settlemire, has made the hard decision to discontinue the magazine. The Winter 2025 issue will be its final edition.

This was not an easy choice, but it reflects the changing ways our community seeks information and engages with content. As we move forward, UOAA is exploring new platforms and opportunities to ensure we continue to inform, support, and reach the ostomy community in meaningful ways.

While The Phoenix magazine will no longer be produced in print or digital form, UOAA remains deeply committed to providing the same trusted education, inspiration, and community connections you have come to expect. We invite you to stay connected with us through our website at www.ostomy.org, our e-newsletters, and our social media channels for ongoing updates, news, and resources.

[Mara]

Thanks for the clarification, Bob...too bad as like 22Sun I found articles there to be informative even for an old timer like I am....

As far as social media, etc I don't really do those but I do have a local group that has online monthly meetings....

Plus I think those of us subscribers should have been informed directly since our emails were known to the publisher....

[Bob Webtech]

About notifying subscribers... I assume (or at least hope) that the Winter 2025 issue, which may appear soon, will make it very clear that it's the final issue.

[Shamrock4806]

I'm very sorry to hear the bad news.

[To Dream a Dream]

I feel as if an old friend has died. The Phoenix Magazine has been a lifeline for me over many many years. As one of the UOA "Ancients," this is indeed the end of an era for me. With failing health issues, the loss of friends & relatives, my strength to just carry on is gone. Here is something I wrote after my only brother & remaining sibling passed away last Easter time:

A Tree Toad’s Lament

At dawn’s break, a mournful sentinel trills out its grief in solitude.
Beseeching the surrendering darkness to release its dead
Before sunlight seeps in to fill the void.

Esperanza
5/30/25


Stupid Me, I shared it with an acquaintance who referred to it as 'Doomsday drama.' Continuing to basically, reprimand me for my self-centeredness. Probably correct. Whatever. . .
Learning of the cessation of the Phoenix tonight, I feel a need to mourn. Realizing that despite my incessant clinging to the UOAA's motto. I am very much alone.

[To Dream a Dream]

Sorry about my last post. I came to accept the sad reality of losing the Phoenix by checking out the UOAA Ostomy Academy presentations. My sincere Thank You to those who present & participate in the videos. What a fine example of the on-going forward momentum of UOAA among a very vibrant, perceptive & intelligent group of young people. You have restored my hope.
PS: As for myself, methinks I'd best accept the inevitable & join Facebook.

[Mara]

Got the Winter 2025 Phoenix Magazine today with a letter attached similar or the same as what Bob posted above....

[Southpaw]

Sadly, "The Phoenix" magazine will no longer be published in paper or digital format. I received my Winter 2025 issue yesterday, which contained an announcement stating, "...our publisher has made the difficult decision that this current issue will be the final printed and digital edition of "The Phoenix."

I was very saddened to read this announcement. As a "veteran" ostomate of 59 years, I have enjoyed and benefited greatly from every issue since the beginning. The magazine's product reviews enabled me to learn about new and better ostomy products than what I had been using. Having easy access to that knowledge through the years has greatly enhanced my life. I admit that I am "old school" and searching through endless screens online attempting to locate relevant information isn't nearly as valuable to me as having the benefit of a good, old-fashioned paper publication. Even if the paper publication had to be discontinued, I'm very sorry that UOAA did not choose to continue with a digital publication, instead. I guess that's what we call "progress."

Regardless, I am grateful for the many years of wonderful information provided by "The Phoenix" magazine and to the good folks at UOAA, thank you for you hard work in that regard. I probably will not continue my membership -- no hard feelings -- but the greatest benefit I received from belonging to UOAA for so many years was, in fact, "The Phoenix" magazine.

Stay safe and well.

[22Sunpuperwolf22]

I am so sad to hear that the Phoenix has in fact, folded. I have been a subscriber of the Phoenix magazine since my ileostomy surgery in 2007, and I depended greatly on the facts that UOAA educated me on. It is a very valuable magazine for those that don't live in a location where UOAA has monthly meetings. I learned so much about vitamin deficiencies in ileostomates, and about Miconazole powder for treating skin wounds related to peristomal leakage, and a ton of various factual information that I would have never learned elsewhere. I feel like my ostomy lifeline has been cut off, and I wonder how I will learn about ostomy facts in the future, as I am not one to research online. I have always loved to read a printed publication, and books. That is how I learn best.

[Mara]

https://www.ostomy.org/support-group-websites/

Above is a list of various groups some of which have online meetings. I know that my NYC group meets once a month....I would think anyone interested in joining a meeting could contact the group for more information. I went to a couple of meetings of Bob Webtech's group which was somewhere out west before it went offline...

[22Sunpuperwolf22]

Thank you, Mara!

A long time ago, back in 2007-2009, my Mom would drive me to the city next to me so I could attend the meeting since I don't drive a vehicle, though she no longer drives out of the city I live in, and she is 83, and it is difficult for her to drive freeways or even in the city anymore. That meeting has online meetings that meet 3 x per year and the other meetings are in person and I joined in 2024, and I found it wasn't worth it to pay the membership cost for just 3 online meetings per year. I found that I really didn't learn a ton of good facts that really helped me with understanding some of the data I have learned from the Phoenix. Really, the meetings were mostly new product coverage from various ostomy companies. So I didn't continue my membership in 2025. I wish the Phoenix would have an online subscription since they no longer have a printed version.

[22Sunpuperwolf22]

Hi Mara,

I also received a copy of Phoenix Magazine's winter issue a week ago even though I had not paid for that copy. In the winter issue, there was an article on low mineral levels experienced frequently by mostly ileostomy patients. That article was very vital to me, as I have experienced since my ostomy surgery in 2007, low B-12, low Iron, low Sodium, low Magnesium, and low Potassium levels in the past. With my recent hospitalization due to low sodium , magnesium, and potassium levels, the doctor determined it is due to a couple of medications I take that is causing a hormone to be released in the back of my brain that is causing my low minerals to happen, though I am wondering if he is correct since he has no factual data on what he determined, and I was assigned a kidney specialist from his office that has been following my care with my low mineral levels since then. When I see him next year, I will share with him a copy of the article that was written in the Phoenix Magazine for a different perspective of my care in that regard. Like I said, the Phoenix Magazine will be missed by me.