February 29 2012
International Endometriosis Awareness Month
International Endometriosis Awareness month will be launched in New Zealand at the International Women’s Day Breakfast
on Thursday 8 March, at the Ellerslie International Flower Show. All proceeds from the event will be donated to support
Endometriosis New Zealand.
Deborah Bush (QSM), Chief Executive of Endometriosis New Zealand, said “endometriosis was one of the last medical
taboo’s of modern society. Awareness was essential as the disease affects approximately 126,000 girls and women in New
Zealand and an estimated 176 million women worldwide.” She said “using these statistics, it would potentially out-number
all those with breast cancer, prostate cancer, diabetes I & II and AIDS in the 15 – 49 age group.” The organisation relies solely on donations and fundraising to run its national
services and programmes.
Tickets to the breakfast are now on sale and can be purchased from www.360endo.eventbrite.com
Endometriosis Facts
• Endometriosis (pronounced ‘end-oh-me-tree-oh-sis’) is a common disease affecting one in ten New Zealand women
and girls
• It creates major human and financial burdens for individuals, families, health and welfare services and
facilities, schools and work-place productivity
• Evidence shows that girls and women experience a diagnostic delay of 8+ years from first presentation of
symptoms to a doctor
• Women are frequently misdiagnosed and may have undergone unnecessary and expensive investigations
• There are approximately 126,000 girls and women with endometriosis in New Zealand
• Canterbury women, in particular, are more vulnerable than ever as stress often makes chronic pain and symptoms
worse. The demand on the services of Endometriosis New Zealand are greater than ever, however the ability to respond to
the demand has been compromised by losses incurred through the cancellation of fund raising events from damage incurred
by the Canterbury earthquakes.
ENDS