Endo Warriors are a ray of light
Group doing all they can to raise awareness
This month will mark a series of events to raise awareness of a condition that ruins the lives of so many women but often remains little understood.
March is Endometriosis Awareness month and organisers are encouraging people in West Lothian to light up the world yellow in support.
Local campaigners Candice McKenzie and Claire Beattie, who launched the Endo Warriors West Lothian Independent Support and Awareness Group in 2017, are working to highlight the condition locally with a beautiful ‘Thinking Tree’ in Livingston which will glow yellow this week.
They say raising awareness this week and beyond is vitally important as endometriosis affects one in 10 women and has no cure.
They explained: “The Endo Warriors are once again lighting up the world yellow, with various buildings and landmarks participating in their awareness drive.
“In addition to the existing campaign #LightUpYellow, the founders have organised a Thinking Tree within the walled garden at Howden Park Centre.
“If you stay in West Lothian you’re welcome to visit the tree and leave an ‘endo stone’ for you or a loved one.
“The tree will be lit up yellow until Sunday and stones can be laid within this time.
“All stones will then be moved to our flower boxes within the garden – on visiting the tree we ask everyone to be mindful of the social-distancing regulations.”
Aside from visiting the tree, the women say there are lots of other things anyone can do to show their support for someone who suffers from endometriosis.
These include lighting up your window yellow throughout March, tie a yellow ribbon around your door handle/ knocker or turning your social media yellow for the month of March. The Endo Warriors have their own frame on Facebook to use.
They continued: “If you are an Endo Warrior join our group and share your story – we are here to support you.
“And if you visit the tree or take part in any of the above events, please take a photo and share them with the group over social media by tagging us in your post on Facebook (Endo WL) or Twitter, @endowestlothian, and Instagram, endowarriorswl.
“The Endo Warriors would like to give thanks to West Lothian Council for their continued support and a special thanks to Lisamarie who they have been working closely with.”
Endemetriosis can cause misery for millions of sufferers. Women who suffer from the disease have endometrium tissue outside of their uterus, causing severe chronic pain and other debilitating symptoms like painful irregular periods, fatigue, IBS symptoms, severe migraine, pain during or after intercourse, excessive bleeding, urinary complications, bloating and bowel obstruction, chronic pain and frozen pelvis.
It takes an average of eight years for a woman to be diagnosed, despite endometriosis being the second most common gynaecological condition in the UK.
Living with endometriosis can have significant impacts on women’s home and work life. Endo Warriors West Lothian run regular support meetings at St John’s Hospital, Livingston, and Spire, Edinburgh, to help women who are struggling on a day-to-day basis with the impact of the condition.
For more information on the group email endowarriorswestlothian@ gmail.com