Portsmouth News

Canine calendar launched by endometrio­sis support charity

Supporters and trustees have provided charming dog photos to help spread awareness and to boost the organisati­on’s aim to create a safe space for all people affected by the chronic disease

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A LOCAL charity is selling canine calendars for 2022 to honour their furry friends and raise money and awareness for endometrio­sis.

Endometrio­sis South Coast is a charity for people along the south coast who have been, or are being diagnosed with, endometrio­sis and adenomyosi­s and offers support in a time which can be extremely daunting.

Endo South Coast has launched a charity calendar for 2022. All the proceeds will go towards the charity, keeping people organised in the new year as well as moving towards their mission to spread awareness and support those with the taboo conditions.

The calendar features charming dog photos sent in by supporters and trustees of the charity, a different photo for each month with pups often sporting a neckerchie­f with the charity logo.

Founder of Endometrio­sis South Coast, Jodie Hughes said: ‘Pets have a sixth sense for when you’re in pain particular­ly if you have a chronic illness like endometrio­sis, so many people in the support group rely on their dogs.’

The charity aims to create a safe space for all people affected by the chronic disease, which the National Library of Medicine reports is ‘under-diagnosed, under-reported, and underresea­rched’ regardless of race, gender, or religion.

Common symptoms of endometrio­sis include heavy periods, as well as serious pelvic or abdominal pain, which are often dismissed or seen as an everyday occurrence to be ignored or put up with.

Founder Jodie, now

37 was diagnosed with endometrio­sis at the age of 29 and was told by doctors and family that it was just the way that it was for women, and to get on with it.

‘We’re given this diagnosis, a great big word which no one can understand or even pronounce and we’re left to try and understand it on our own,’ Jodie said.

Jodie, from Havant, is currently carrying out a research PhD at the Univeristy of Roehampton in London, investigat­ing the relationsh­ip between endometrio­sis care and other factors which aid her in creating coping mechanisms for herself and others. To purchase a calendar visit endometrio­sissouthco­ast. com.

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 ?? ?? RAISI NG AWARENESS Supporters of Endometrio­sis South Coast with Steve the dog, and right: a typically charming image from the Endometrio­sis South Coast Calendar 2022
RAISI NG AWARENESS Supporters of Endometrio­sis South Coast with Steve the dog, and right: a typically charming image from the Endometrio­sis South Coast Calendar 2022

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