International Endometriosis Awareness Month

February 29 2012

International Endometriosis Awareness Month

International Endometriosis Awareness month will be launched in New Zealand at the International Women’s Day Breakfast on Thursday 8 March, at the Ellerslie International Flower Show. All proceeds from the event will be donated to support Endometriosis New Zealand.

Deborah Bush (QSM), Chief Executive of Endometriosis New Zealand, said “endometriosis was one of the last medical taboo’s of modern society. Awareness was essential as the disease affects approximately 126,000 girls and women in New Zealand and an estimated 176 million women worldwide.” She said “using these statistics, it would potentially out-number all those with breast cancer, prostate cancer, diabetes I & II and AIDS in the 15 – 49 age group.” The organisation relies solely on donations and fundraising to run its national services and programmes.

Tickets to the breakfast are now on sale and can be purchased from www.360endo.eventbrite.com

Endometriosis Facts

• Endometriosis (pronounced ‘end-oh-me-tree-oh-sis’) is a common disease affecting one in ten New Zealand women and girls
• It creates major human and financial burdens for individuals, families, health and welfare services and facilities, schools and work-place productivity
• Evidence shows that girls and women experience a diagnostic delay of 8+ years from first presentation of symptoms to a doctor
• Women are frequently misdiagnosed and may have undergone unnecessary and expensive investigations
• There are approximately 126,000 girls and women with endometriosis in New Zealand
• Canterbury women, in particular, are more vulnerable than ever as stress often makes chronic pain and symptoms worse. The demand on the services of Endometriosis New Zealand are greater than ever, however the ability to respond to the demand has been compromised by losses incurred through the cancellation of fund raising events from damage incurred by the Canterbury earthquakes.

www.nzendo.co.nz

ENDS

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