In 2022, our Endometriosis Awareness North reached an important milestone when Andy Burnham, Mayor of Greater Manchester, attended the Endometriosis Awareness session I organised.

His presence was more than a gesture of support — it was a powerful acknowledgement of the challenges faced by women living with endometriosis and the urgent need for better education, understanding, and early diagnosis.

For too long, endometriosis has been a condition spoken about quietly, often misunderstood, and frequently dismissed. Our mission has always been clear: to empower women with knowledge, to ensure they feel heard, and to promote education that leads to earlier recognition and improved care. Andy Burnham’s attendance helped amplify that mission at a crucial moment.

During the session, he listened closely to the lived experiences of women who have battled years of pain, delayed diagnoses, and barriers within the healthcare system. His engagement demonstrated a genuine commitment to understanding the realities of endometriosis and the impact it has on women’s lives, careers, families, and wellbeing.

His support also helped shine a brighter light on the importance of community-led education. When leaders stand alongside us, they help break down stigma and encourage wider conversations — in homes, workplaces, schools, and healthcare settings. That is how change begins: with awareness, with understanding, and with the courage to speak openly about women’s health.

Andy Burnham’s attendance in 2022 remains a significant moment for our charity. It strengthened our resolve to continue empowering women with the knowledge they deserve and to keep pushing for a future where endometriosis is recognised early, treated effectively, and understood widely.

Andy Burnham’s engagement signalled a commitment to understanding these realities and to supporting efforts that promote earlier recognition and better outcomes.

For our organisation, his attendance remains a pivotal moment. It validated the need for sustained investment in community education, strengthened our relationships within the region, and underscored the importance of empowering women through knowledge. As we continue expanding our programmes, workshops, and outreach activities, this support forms part of the foundation on which we build future impact.

Eyes down for a full house to beat endometriosis

Shuffle yourself along to a game of Play Your Cards Right, a bout of Bingo, a raffle, and a quiz night as a local charity answers the call to help women in chronic pain.

Affecting one in ten females, endometriosis leads to severe bleeding, pelvic agony and a monthly woe of weariness so severe it leads sufferers to self-harm and dark thoughts.

All of which persuaded GP with Special Interest in Gynaecology Dr Anita Sharma to form charity Endometriosis Awareness North – whose main fundraiser will be held at the Rochdale Golf Club on September 18 (see close of release for details).

Monies raised will be used to support so-called “endo warriors” and their families, plus fund research into quicker diagnosis and even a cure.

“Despite being one of the most common health conditions in Britain, few people are aware of endo – and that includes doctors and nurses,” said Dr Sharma. “The lack of funding into early diagnosis and treatment means women have to wait up to ten years just to get a proper diagnosis, meaning a decade of missing out on an education and work, not being able to socialise with others, and crippling agony that nobody seems to understand.”

Dr Sharma got so exasperated of seeing patients who had had their symptoms dismissed, ignored and sent home with a dose of pain killers, she formed her charity and began spreading the message to junior doctors and now Prime Minister Andy Burnham – who promised action on the issue.

Andy Burnham attended and supported Endometriosis Awareness session on 1.7.2022 Free seminars on pain relief, hormonal treatment, self-harm, fertility and the launch of her book “Endometriosis in Primary Care” have all since taken place in Rochdale.  

Endometriosis Awareness North has also just run a social media campaign called #Unheard and produced a documentary featuring warriors. These include local nurse Lucy Bowker, who said: “Endometriosis meant that I couldn’t look after my newborn baby. I was solely reliant on pain relief and staying in bed with my hot water bottle. It wasn’t a life.” (See more by going to  https://endo-unheard-voices.lovable.app/#stories ).

Caused when cells that usually grow in the womb adhere to other organs in the body, endometriosis can lead to umpteen surgeries and costs the UK £8.2 billion per year in treatment and sick pay.

Continued Dr Sharma: “What our small band has managed to do is give women like Lucy a voice and link them with others sharing similar experiences. We have also increased awareness of the condition exponentially and this even led to a question in the House from one of our keenest supporters, Elsie Blundell MP.

All of this has involved the people of Rochdale, who can justifiably claim to be the UK’s most endo-friendly borough. But much more needs to be done, and that requires investment.”

The September fundraiser will offer quizzers and bingo goers some competitive fun. Attendees might also leave flushed after a game of cult favourite Bruce Forsyth challenge, “Play Your Cards Right!”

The event takes place at: Rochdale Golf Club, Edenfield Road, Bagslate, Rochdale, OL11 5YR

Tickets are priced at £20 and can be obtained by emailing endometriosisawarenessnorth@gmail.com

To donate to the Endometriosis Awareness North charity, go to https://endometriosisawarenessnorth.com/donate