Our endo message reels them in
An Oldham community care concern has become the first organisation to back our campaign calling for specialist endometriosis health clinics.
REEL CIC has promised to collaborate with us to create the centres where everything from scanning for the condition to giving mental health support for victims will take place.
The country currently has 208 specialist stroke and 108 diabetes centres. But despite affecting one in ten women of childbearing age and resulting in bleeding and waring pelvic pain, there are currently NO such clinics for women with endometriosis.
We have previously described this situation as, “an example of a rampant misogyny in healthcare.”
And we are delighted that REEL CIC, who have contributed so much in Oldham to improving communities and solving problems such as domestic violence, have joined us to “push the endometriosis envelope.”
Dr Anita Sharma, the founder of Endometriosis Awareness North said: “Women deserve timely diagnosis, compassionate care, and specialist support. We won’t stop until that becomes the norm – and we now have a superb ally in REEL CIC. Community partnerships like this are how real change begins.”
The partnership between two of the boroughs most active campaigns was formulated at a women’s health and wellbeing event held at Nelson Way Community Centre, Chadderton.
Director of Engagement for REEL CIC, Charlene Burns, is widely recognised for her leadership in women’s health across Oldham, and continues to champion community‑driven initiatives that support and empower local females. Her work through REEL CIC has been instrumental in addressing health inequalities and improving access to vital information and support.
This really chimed with us and Dr Sharma told a packed house all about the impact of endometriosis, the challenges faced by women seeking diagnosis, and our charity’s mission to improve awareness, education, and access to specialist care.
We also exclusively revealed that we will be presenting evidence of a North-South divide in endo care at the House of Commons in October.
“If we look at diabetes clinics, they offer bespoke check-ups, specialist advice, education and support groups, plus regular appointments delivered by nurses, dietitians, and specialists, to ensure comprehensive care” concluded Dr Sharma. “We need that same approach with endo. Surely it beats endless visits to the GP and Accident and Emergency, and years of waiting in agonising pain for a proper diagnosis.”
Does your organisation want to join the drive for specialist endometriosis clinics? Please go to CONTACT
Genes means endo blight?
Read our founder’s latest blog, this time exploring whether endometriosis might be passed down through the family.
As Dr Anita Sharma points out, in Scandinavian countries one of the first questions a patient with endo symptoms is asked is… “does anyone else have it in your family?”
If genes means having the blight, then should those with both physical traits and lineage be sent straight to the specialist?
Read more by visiting BLOGS.
First edition grapples with the internal wrestle
Listen into our founder Dr Anita Sharma plus ambassador and endo warrior Lucy Bowker, in the very first Endo Unfiltered podcast.
The show gives a really great grounding into the crucial question of what endometriosis actually is, and why it is a condition that “wrestles with your own body”. Our founder Dr Sharma also outlines the reasons it takes so long to diagnose, the lack of knowledge even amongst medical professionals about the condition, and what dire consequences physically and mentally endo warriors encounter.
Plus, staff nurse Lucy outlines her story – and how her endo spread from her pelvic area to other parts of the body Go to
Stand-up against endometriosis
An interactive full house will enjoy games of a version of Bingo pioneered in Ireland.
Stand-Up Bingo is a more interactive strand of the much-loved pursuit and is just one of the treats on offer at a fundraising event in Rochdale on September 18 – see poster for details.
And while the emphasis will most certainly be on fun, we will be raising pounds to get diagnosis waiting times down and reduce the physical and mental pain those with endo suffer.
To secure your ticket, email endometriosisawarenessnorth@gmail.com
Meanwhile, why not visit our DONATE page and suggest some ideas on bringing in revenue to support our sisters with endo.
Remember, one in ten women of childbearing age suffer terribly with the blight – and if that’s not enough to get your eyes down for a game of Bingo, we don’t know what is!
Find out what we're really about, on film
Click onto our brand new movie, detailing what Endometriosis Awareness North is all about Endometriosis Awareness North - YouTube
Featuring our treasured case study Courtney, it also gives medics a platform to call for quicker diagnosis of endometriosis.
With thanks to filmmakers Andrea Bertozzi and Pete Gibson Media.
Donate
We are registered with The Charity Commission. Our charity number is 1212676.
You can do your bit to research a cure to endo and support the one-in-ten women with the condition by going to our DONATE page.