NEW endometriosis awareness campaign fronted by a Scottish entrepreneur is aiming to raise £1m of funding for a research project into the condition
Marie Macklin OBE has launched #TALKENDO in an attempt to raise the cash to support the ENDO1000 research project.
ENDO1000 will include 1,000 woman living with endometriosis, aiming to pioneer research into the condition, which affects 1 in 10 women, with around 1.5 million women in the UK impacted by it.
The disease causes cells similar to those that grow in the womb lining to grow elsewhere in the body. This can lead to chronic pelvic pain, infertility issues, gastrointestinal and urinary symptoms and depression.
Macklin is urging the government to take endometriosis seriously and to have it recategorised as a chronic condition.
#TALKENDO will also campaign for endometriosis to be given the same status as conditions such as diabetes.
Diabetes affects 6% of women and receives £875m of NHS Scotland resources annually for both men and women. However endometriosis affects 10% of women and no actual budget figures can be identified.
Marie, who was struck down by endometriosis herself in her 30s, said: “It’s not just a healthcare issue, there’s a compelling economic argument with endometriosis costing the UK £8.2bn in treatment, time off work and other healthcare costs.
We are launching our first 10 women ambassadors on Monday, and we have a long list of women who want to join with our fundraising activities.”
The research project is being led by Professor Andrew Horne and his team at the Centre of Reproductive Health at the University of Edinburgh.
He said: “I have had the opportunity to speak with many women over the years with endometriosis,and to hear the detrimental impact it has had on their everyday lives with little hope or treatment.
We have a window of opportunity to change this through ENDO1000.”
Anyone wishing to become an ENDO1000 Ambassadors can start the conversation with the team by emailing: endo1000@ed.ac.uk or visiting its website at www.endo1000.com.
