Resolutions for the New Year?

By Lone Hummelshoj

Today is the last day of the first month of the New Year, AD 2011.

Traditionally January is a month where we rush on day one to set ourselves some rigid resolutions for the New Year to improve on our behaviour/patterns from the previous year and to reach and perfect new goals.  Right?

I am checking in with all of you to see how you are doing, one month down the line?  Have you stuck with any of your New Year’s resolutions, or have you already released yourself from the chains of what you want/ought to do?

…or: are you still open for suggestions to how you can make a difference in 2011?

If so, what will you do to help improve the lives of those with endometriosis?

Will you spend 2011 lamenting your disease? Will you complain, moan, sigh, or scream? Or will you join in efforts to improve circumstances for the estimated 176 million women worldwide who – like YOU – struggle with endometriosis every day?

Every little effort counts.  Even if you are bent over in pain as you contribute to our cause, your little bit of effort can make a difference.

Please, please remember that by contributing you are ultimately helping yourself!

If you want to do something, then consider the following:

Join a national endometriosis group

Your support will contribute to their efforts to improve conditions in your country for those with the disease – they are campaigning for you, but without your support they are weaker.

Click here to find your national group

Create an awareness event

Create an event – large or small – to highlight endometriosis in your local community during Endometriosis Awareness Week.

Events can, of course, be created throughout the year!

Raise funds for research

Create an event – large or small – to raise funding for research into endometriosis to improve your treatments through the World Endometriosis Research Foundation (WERF)

Participate in meetings

Come to New York on 19 March 2011 to speak directly with specialists in endometriosis on how to handle your disease – the Endometriosis Foundation of America (EFA) holds its 2nd annual symposium.

Submit an abstract to and be part of the 11th World Congress on Endometriosis (WCE2011) – 2011 is the 25th anniversary of the first world congress on the disease we are all battling.  Around 1000 clinicians and scientists will be in Montpellier from 4-7 September 2011 to share the latest progress in research.

Whatever YOU do – don’t give up because of endometriosis!

There may be only a handful of us out there trying to support the millions of women who struggle with endometriosis — but, whereas we are stretched to be there for everyone, we won’t give up in our support; and, I sincerely hope you won’t either …and that this year, your resolution may be to give a little bit yourself – just a tiny little bit – to the community that is working so hard to support you!

Let’s make 2011 the year where we decide to make a difference TOGETHER.
A year where each of us do just a little bit more to support not only ourselves  but all women who struggle daily with endometriosis!

Together we could – and should – make a real difference!

Are you up for fulfilling this New Year’s resolution?

The author

Lone Hummelshoj is the publisher/editor of www.endometriosis.org. She works globally to raise awareness of the impact of endometriosis, and to secure funds for research to improve knowledge of the disease so that targeted treatments can be developed - with prevention as the ultimate goal!