Everyone likely knows someone with endometriosis, as it affects two million Canadians, but many people don’t know much about it and have never even heard of it.
A group of Manitobans are wanting to change that with Endometriosis Network Canada’s new annual Run to End Endo June 6 in Morden Park.
This community event invites walkers and runners of all ages to come together in support of those living with the chronic illness, and it will follow a scenic route through Morden with a five or two kilometre loop.
Raising not only funds but awareness is important to Morgan Wall. The 29-year-old has been dealing with the pain of endo since she was about 12 years old.
“I will be going for my fifth endometriosis surgery this upcoming year,” she shared, reflecting on how hard it was to get a diagnosis. “It took me about nine years … after an emergency surgery had taken place, I was officially diagnosed after I had about a 10 centimetre cyst rupture on my left ovary.
“Before that, I wasn’t really taken very seriously by any doctors. I was just often told to just go home and take some Tylenol and that this is just part of being a woman. But it wasn’t just part of being a woman.
“Now, with symptoms and scans, you are actually able to get diagnosed earlier, which is huge for people with endometriosis,” Wall said. “It’s definitely becoming more aware in the field. People are practicing and researching it, which has been so helpful for those of us who have endometriosis.”
People with endometriosis can suffer severe menstrual pain, chronic pelvic pain, and infertility. They often feel alone in dealing with their disease due to lack of awareness and understanding or even dismissal of their symptoms.
Wall noted the day-to-day impact that it has on her.
“I usually have about one bad week out of a month, whereas before I was treated, I would have one good week a month.”
And she noted how the pain even goes down into her legs.
“So I usually can’t walk on my bad days. My stomach is usually very distended, sore, very, very bloated like it hurts to touch,” she said. “And usually it’s back pain. I deal with chronic kidney issues as well.
It means she is not able to work full time, down to four days a week.
“For every person, it’s different,” Wall said. “It’s not really even just like a pelvic disease. It’s really like a full body disease, and that’s really what is now being researched … it’s not just a gynecological disease. It’s everywhere.”
Outpouring of support
Pembina Valley run director Barb Graham said they were encouraged by the response when they floated the idea to have an event in this region.
“The outpouring from the community has been amazing … realizing how many of our community members have endometriosis is crazy, so this now will become an annual thing because it is needed out here.”
She noted it is estimated that one in ten people are dealing with endometriosis.
“So the statistics are actually quite significant, so that’s why it’s so crazy that it’s not heard of as much as it should be,” Graham said.
“We are so excited about the conversation that has been generated with this announcement. There is an entire community of women who understand the uniqueness and struggles of endometriosis. To be able to connect them and to have the communities they live and work in come together in support of them is truly life changing for every woman who has ever felt the loneliness that comes with this.”
You can register for the Morden run at tinyurl.com/Mordenendorun.
