Anita Jones
Anita's Walk for Endo 2021 - 8km in 8 hours
Fundraising for Endometriosis UK
Story
Hey guys,
If you follow me on social media (@anitannekajones), you may already know that I'm a huge advocate for women's health - in particular women's menstrual health - because of my own struggles with my periods since the age of 14.
I grew up dreading the 'time of the month,' as it usually meant being curled up in bed for 5-7 days with excruciating pain. No amount of paracetamol or ibuprofen could help the stabbing like pain I'd experience every month. Despite missing lots of school, doctors repeatedly told me: I was just one of the unfortunate ones to suffer from 'painful periods' and there was no solution other than stronger painkillers (i.e. codeine) and carrying a hot water bottle with me everywhere I went (something I still do, to this day).
In June 2019, after 14-years of 'just getting on with things,' I was finally diagnosed with Endometriosis. It was a real fight to get that diagnosis, but it meant the world to me. There was finally medical proof that everything I'd been experiencing all those years wasn't a figment of my imagination and there was actually a name for all the symptoms I'd been putting up with.
Unfortunately, my story isn't uncommon, as 1 in 10 women, regardless of race, in the UK suffer from this debilitating long-term illness and despite such horrifying stats, the average diagnosis time is 8-years in this country.
Symptoms of Endometriosis include, but are not limited to: painful periods, pain on ovulation, pain during or after sex, painful bowel movements, as well as infertility.
Next month I'll be walking 8km in 8 hours to raise money for Endometriosis UK (@EndometriosisUK) - a charity that does so much to support the 1 in 10 women with this illness. Not only does this charity offer support groups for people with the condition, but it's also done so much to try and remove the taboo around periods in schools and at the work place.
With 8 being the 'key' number, I'm hoping to raise £800 when I do this walk in the first week of August, so if you're in a position to donate I'd be so grateful.
❤️❤️❤️❤️