In observance of Endometriosis Awareness Month, Patient Academy for Innovation and Research with Support from BAYER commenced the first leg of the EndoRun in Delhi, today. The EndoRun is a mass awareness initiative that will bring together survivors and their families, healthcare providers, researchers, and advocates, to march for a shared cause around Endometriosis.
The goal is to raise awareness about endometriosis, spark a national conversation around the condition, and call for greater support and resources for individuals and families affected by it.
The awareness initiative saw more than 150 participants from various patient groups.
Endometriosis is a common, chronic, gynaecological condition, which affects over 247 million women globally and 42 million women in India.
It is a condition where tissue similar to the lining of the uterus grows outside of the uterus.
Women with endometriosis suffer from chronic pelvic pain, fatigue, depression, and infertility.
Diagnosis of the condition is often delayed by 6-10 years, significantly reducing a woman’s overall quality of life.
This also impacts academic performance and work productivity, thus causing a large socio-economic burden.
The information on clinical presentation, the severity of the condition and associated risk factors for endometriosis are also very limited in India.
Dr. Ratna Devi, Director Patient Academy for Innovation and Research, said :
“It is important to create awareness due to the delay in diagnosis and treatment. Most women live through excruciating pain and other severe symptoms and their voices are unheard or dismissed. Advocating for better diagnosis and early treatment is an urgent need. Women must be provided with a safe space to discuss and support each other through this experience”.
Mr. Deepak Chopra, Business Unit Head, Women’s Health, Bayer Zydus Pharma Said :
“Endometriosis is a condition that affects millions of women worldwide. With our deep-rooted expertise in women’s health, we are committed to improving the awareness on endometriosis. We are delighted to partner with PAIR and provide support to initiatives that will contribute to help women access better healthcare solutions. Information and communication among patients, and patient’s groups is essential to fast-track the endometriosis diagnosis. At Bayer, our goal is to improve the health outcomes of women through research and development and by introducing new treatment options for diseases including Endometriosis.”.
The EndoRun start from Connaught Place in Delhi and was graced by Chief Guest Ms. Suman, an Oscar winner and national president of the Embark Care Foundation along with Dr. Madhu Goel, Associate Director – Obstetrics and Gynaecology at Fortis La femme.
Distinguished doctors and other patient support groups rendered support by offering expert guidance on endometriosis.
A coffee table book which is a collection of patient stories that features their journey and diagnosis story was also launched.
It is aim at empowering patients to take the right steps to connect with gynaecologists.
The book will equip women to understand the condition through the perspectives of these women.
The event also feature interactive sessions like Zumba, which aim to promote a healthy lifestyle among women.
Dr. Ratna Devi said :
“Through these pan India events, we hope that our efforts during Endometriosis Awareness Month will help break down the stigma surrounding endometriosis and promote greater understanding of the condition. We are committed to empowering those affected by endometriosis through education, advocacy, and support”.
The other phases of the initiative are scheduled to take place on 25th March in Mumbai, 26th March in Pune, 28th March in Hyderabad and will conclude in Kolkata on 2nd April.
About Women with wings
Women with wings is an initiative of PAIR Academy to bring together women suffering from Endometriosis and Period pain as a patient support group to connect and share with each other their experiences and stories, learn from expert sessions and build consensus and solidarity and provide a safe space for discussion.
Patient stories and patient experience will help shape the narrative around access, delayed diagnosis, financial burden and years of silent suffering.
The initiative helps patients and caregivers to access authentic and validated information
About Women’s Healthcare at Bayer
Bayer is a recognized leader in the area of women’s healthcare, with a long-standing commitment to delivering science for a better life by advancing a portfolio of innovative treatments.
Bayer offers a wide range of effective short- and long-acting birth control methods as well as therapies for menopause management and gynecological diseases.
Bayer is also focusing on innovative options to address the unmet medical needs of women worldwide.
Today, Bayer’s research and development efforts focus on finding new treatment options for menopause as well as gynecological diseases and includes several compounds in various stages of pre-clinical and clinical development.
Together, these projects reflect the company’s approach to research, which prioritizes targets and pathways with the potential to alter the way that gynecological diseases are treated.
Additionally, Bayer intends to provide 100 million women in low-and-middle income countries by 2030 with access to family planning by funding multi-stakeholder aid programs and by ensuring the supply of affordable modern contraceptives.
This is part of the comprehensive sustainability measures and commitments from 2020 onwards and in line with the Sustainable Development Goals of the United Nations.
About Bayer
Bayer is a global enterprise with core competencies in the life science fields of health care and nutrition.
Its products and services are designed to help people and the planet thrive by supporting efforts to master the major challenges presented by a growing and aging global population.
Bayer is committed to driving sustainable development and generating a positive impact with its businesses. At the same time, the Group aims to increase its earning power and create value through innovation and growth.
The Bayer brand stands for trust, reliability and quality throughout the world. In fiscal 2022, the Group employed around 101,000 people and had sales of 50.7 billion euros.
R&D expenses before special items amounted to 6.2 billion euros.
About PAIR Academy for Innovation and Research (PAIR Academy)
PAIR Academy is an organization that works with women and girls to raise awareness on endometriosis and other reproductive health issues.
The organization is committed to improving the lives of women and girls by providing expert guidance and support on reproductive health issues.
