Endometriosis Foundation of America Hosting A Virtual Run

Yasmeen Sheikah
Updated ·2 min read

ILLINOIS — The Endometriosis Foundation of America (EndoFound) is hosting its second virtual "End Endo 5K" on Sunday, Nov. 1.

Endometriosis is a painful disorder in which tissue similar to the tissue that normally lines the inside of a uterus — the endometrium — grows outside the uterus, according to the Mayo Clinic. Currently, there is no cure for the disease.

EndoFound said attendees are encouraged to find their own course to walk, run, hike, bike, or even horseback ride, to help shine the spotlight and show support for urgent issues facing the endometriosis community, particularly during COVID-19.

Registration is required to participate in the event. The $25 registration fee includes an exclusive "End Endo 5K t-shirt," racing bib and more, according to the website.

EndoFound, founded by Padma Lakshmi and Dr. Tamer Seckin, is the leading endometriosis
non-profit in the United States, according to a news release. The organization strives to increase disease recognition, provide advocacy, facilitate expert surgical training and fund landmark endometriosis research, the release states.

EndoFound is engaged in a robust campaign to inform both the medical community and the public about endometriosis, according to the release. The organization emphasizes the importance of early diagnosis and effective intervention, while simultaneously providing education to next generation medical professionals and patients, according to the release.

"Endometriosis education is needed now more than ever. One in ten women has this disease, with
symptoms often appearing in adolescence," the release states. "COVID-19 has forced students out of the classroom, so they aren’t receiving critical endometriosis education — one of the most vital tools for lessening the seven to ten-year delay in diagnosis."

The organization said research has been affected due to the pandemic. EndoFound said now that researchers are back in the lab, they need support to continue the critical work of finding the origins of this disease, as well as better diagnosis and treatment options.

The release said with endometriosis legislation facing a vote on Capitol Hill that could double research funding in more states — following New York’s endometriosis legislation, educating students and practitioners of the disease— there is much to be done.

For more information on the event and to register, visit the EndoFound website.

This article originally appeared on the Across Illinois Patch