Help Selina raise money

I started my journey with endometriosis symptoms in 2016. Over the past 7 years I’ve seen multiple different doctors and specialists, had a number of ongoing tests and monitoring, while trying anything and everything to navigate and manage the debilitating pains and symptoms of this disease. 

In 2022, I finally got my referral to the endometriosis clinic, and received an official endometriosis diagnosis. 

This past year I have the added layer of navigating infertility, related to my endometriosis. I am currently waiting to undergo IVF for fertility preservation, prior to having invasive excision surgery to remove the large endometriomas growing in my abdomen, and to release the adhesions fusing my abdominal organs together. 

Despite these challenges, I am so grateful to have a name to my pain and have an amazing team of specialized endometriosis surgeons, fertility doctors and nurses, pelvic physiotherapist, osteopath, family, friends and partner on my side. I could not do this alone. 

However, more still needs to be done in research and awareness to decrease the length of time of diagnosis, and improve treatment options for endometriosis patients. I remain optimistic with the ongoing support of my team and I am eager to see the advancements made through events and fundraisers such as this one. 

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On June 3rd my team and I will be running to participate in run to end endo!

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Endometriosis affects 1 in 10 people born with female reproductive organs. It occurs when tissue similar to the endometrium (lines the uterus), grows outside of the uterus and onto other organs throughout the body (most commonly on ovaries, bowel, bladder and diaphragm) forming lesions, nodules, cysts and adhesions.

This causes immense pain, nausea, vomiting, infertility, gastrointestinal problems and internal scarring, to name a few of the challenging ongoing and recurring symptoms. Endometriosis is more than just a reproductive system disease, it is a full body disease. 

There is no known cause or cure for endometriosis. Often times it takes many years of suffering before one receives an accurate diagnosis. This is due to lack of funding from the government for research and resources, a lack of knowledge and awareness in the medical community, as well as a lack of awareness in society as a whole. Unfortunately, this is largely to do with the stigma that still surrounds menstruation and women’s health issues. 

Some progress has already been made. In March, 2022 Ontario became the first province to hold an endometriosis awareness month after a private member’s bill asked that the disease be given attention. But doctors say more specialized diagnostic and treatment centres are needed, like the ones being planned in Australia and considered in France. 

Current management treatments include suppressive hormonal therapy; GnRH agonists with severe, sometimes irreversible side effects; and invasive abdominal excision surgery.

Research is being done worldwide to investigate new ways to treat and manage this complex disease. However, more funding is needed to support and accelerate this process. 

We ask you to please join us in raising awareness and fighting for a cure. By donating to The Endo Network’s “Run to End Endo” fundraiser, you will be helping this charity to raise awareness, initiate more educational programming, further build their support network and reduce current barriers to research, diagnosis, and treatment. 

Thank you so much for your ongoing support!