Charity lunch raises awareness of women's health conditions

Janet Whittles (Inner Wheel) and Dr Anita Sharma

A charity lunch for the Rochdale Inner Wheel on 7 June raised £475 for the women's health charity Endometriosis Awareness North.

Dr Anita Sharma spoke to 65 women at a special lunch in her capacity as President of the Rochdale Inner Wheel charity, about how she founded Endometriosis Awareness North after hearing about her patients' ill experiences with endometriosis, menopause and other female ailments.

The women's health expert was joined on stage by classical comedy sopranos Divas in Denial.

“Over three quarters of women feel that the health service has not listened to their needs. No wonder women’s life expectancy has stagnated,” said Dr Sharma.

“This is particularly the case with endometriosis which affects one in ten women of childbearing age. Symptoms are simply dismissed, leading to a wait of over seven years for a proper diagnosis. Perhaps some think of them as divas; I see them as women in pain, who lose their hope, their strength and their future.”

Endometriosis is a disorder in which the tissue where the inner lining of the uterus (endometrium) grows outside the uterus. This results in pelvic pain and an irregular menstrual cycle, and can prevent sufferers having children.

In a few short months, Endometriosis Awareness North has won the support of politicians such as Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham, plus eminent North West endometriosis consultants Dr Gaity Ahmad and Mr Andrew Pickersgill. Its researchers have shown that there is a lack of knowledge about the condition; with some members of the public believing it to be a throat infection.

By contrast, The Inner Wheel is an international good cause, powered by professional women, which helps raise awareness of charities, encouraging that all-important giving. Dr Sharma was joined at the Bellavista restaurant event by Janet Whittles, district membership officer and Katie Maher, development officer.

Concluded Dr Sharma: “The Rochdale branch of the Inner Wheel is one of the most active in the country and without it, many local charities would not have been able to do the good they have.

“Endometriosis is typical of the issues they champion so well, and it is my hope that people will stand up and listen again. It is a condition we must do better with for, as United Nations Deputy Secretary-General Asha-Rose Migiro says: 'When women are empowered, all of society benefits'.”

Dr Anita Sharma is a specialist in women’s healthcare and the creator of the Endometriosis Awareness North charity.