The inspiration (article written by a person suffering)

Overcoming adversity (article I wrote after completing the challenge)

I completed my swim 12th June 2013. Please see WERF's justgiving page for current fundraisers in need of your support. Many thanks.

 

Please watch or read the below.

Endometriosis is a largely ignored epidemic.  It can cause infertility and, in more severe cases, debilitation, or death.

It effects as many as 1 in 10 women (making it very likely a friend, family member, or you yourself have suffered), but the social perception that period pain is something a woman must deal with is a severe barrier to diagnosis, treatment, and research.

Endometriosis involves the depositing of tissue that is intended to line the uterus in other areas of the body: usually the pelvis; often the ovaries and fallopian tube; occasionally places like the liver and lungs.

There is not, as of yet, a known cure - the disease often returns, even if the womb is removed.

A lot of passion and frustration, born from seeing someone that I love suffer, has inspired me to raise awareness of the condition, and be a force for change.

I am training to complete a 12.5km swim marathon in June (that is 500 lengths in a 25m pool, the equivilent of 550 in a 25 yard pool).

All money raised will go towards the World Endometriosis Research Foundation (WERF), the only global research charity for the condition. I hope that contributions made today will one day prevent others from suffering as a person I love has.

The internet can be a benevolent beast. Any help you can provide (sharing this around, upvoting, following my twitter @tracktom, or donating) will make a difference.

Thank you! :)

 

Donating through JustGiving is simple, fast and totally secure. Your details are safe with JustGiving – they’ll never sell them on or send unwanted emails. Once you donate, they’ll send your money directly to the charity and make sure Gift Aid is reclaimed on every eligible donation by a UK taxpayer. So it’s the most efficient way to donate - I raise more, whilst saving time and cutting costs for the charity.