75km for Endometriosis Awareness Month

Never have I seen a fundraiser advertised for an endometriosis charity…with March being endometriosis awareness month of 2021. Many of us who suffer with this condition have had treatment or consultations pushed back due to coronavirus, I thought this is the time where I need to do something for the charity myself. Now, endometriosis research has never been given sufficient funding, yet it is within the list of most painful conditions known to man. 1 in 10 women live with this but that statistic is likely to be significantly higher because of the proportion of women who are misdiagnosed with other conditions. So surely we need more research, right? Being told ‘it’s better than being pregnant’ or 'it's all in your head' by doctors is shockingly poor treatment when it can be such a challenge for those with endometriosis to even become pregnant.

This is the charity I have been going to for information for as long as I can remember – my sister has been diagnosed with endometriosis for some years now, but still receives minimal input and support from professionals, and I am in the process of diagnosis myself, also being dismissed by doctors upon every visit without an answer. The average time from first appointment to diagnosis, is eight years. Eight years!

So…within the month of March, I am setting myself a challenge to walk 75km. The money we raise together for this will be spent entirely on research, providing support and education, and new information for those with symptoms of endometriosis, or to support those who know someone with this. If you can, any donations to my cause will be hugely appreciated and will, of course, always go to good use.

Thank you.