PADMA LAKSHMI & TAMER SECKIN, MD, LAUNCH ENDOMETRIOSIS FOUNDATION OF AMERICA

Nonprofit Dedicated to Education, Early Diagnosis & Treatment of "Silent Epidemic" That Affects 10 Million Women, Adolescent Girls; Org.'s 1st, Annual Fundraising Ball Occurs April 20

NEW YORK, NY--In order to provide hope to 10 million, United States women and girls as young as 12 years old who have or may not know they have endometriosis (which can cause debilitating, menstrual periods, infertility and other devastating effects), actress, author and Top Chef host Padma Lakshmi and laparoscopic surgeon and endometriosis specialist Tamer Seckin, MD, are launching in April 2009 the nonprofit Endometriosis Foundation of America or "EFA" (www.endofound.org). Ms. Lakshmi was treated for the health condition by Dr. Seckin, one of the field’s most highly regarded, U.S. surgeons, who has the experience and skill to address the ailment. Through increased awareness and education among the general public and medical professionals as well as research initiatives and legislative advocacy, the Foundation is committed to improving affected individuals’ lives by early endometriosis detection, intervention and treatment. 

EFA is the first, United States organization of its kind founded by a medical professional. Scheduled to occur Monday evening, April 20, 2009, at Prince George Ballroom, in New York City, the nonprofit's inaugural, Annual "Blossom Ball" (http://endofound2009.org/)--set to include a silent auction and seated dinner and dancing--will raise funds to help combat this "silent epidemic."

Agonizing Health Condition Treatable, Even Curable, If Addressed Early
"Needlessly, proper care is stifled and suffering from this ailment is widespread--because of common, societal prejudices and 'taboo subject' notions, which can result in a woman or adolescent girl who doesn’t have the language to describe troubling symptoms with a doctor; also frankly there's misinformation in the medical community," says Dr. Seckin. "But endometriosis is treatable--even

curable--if addressed early enough. Too often it may not be diagnosed until a decade after it begins."

During monthly menstruation, the female body naturally sheds the endometrium or uterine lining (the process commonly known as a "period"). In some women menstrual fluids leak back into the body in areas outside of the uterus. Just like the endometrial tissue in the uterus, endometrial tissue outside of the uterus cycles every month based on hormonal fluctuations. As a woman's hormones change approaching her period, endometrial tissue grows, menstruates and sheds. But when a woman has endometriosis, endometrial tissue outside the uterus has no way to exit her body, and it accumulates on the bladder, top of the vagina or other nearby organs, leading to the development of scarring and fibroid-like nodules. This causes symptoms that vary from severe cramping to chronic pelvic pain, severe painful periods, infertility, and pain with sex, among additional complications.

Experienced, Specialized Surgical Teams Offer Solutions

Often, women "manage" their discomfort for years with powerful painkillers and hormones, but these only mask symptoms of the condition. What's more, many patients are incorrectly informed by their doctors and treated for symptoms but not endometriosis, which consequently causes a long delay in treatment. And this dangerous result has led to many "hit or miss" surgeries and thousands of unnecessary hysterectomies. But Laparoscopic Excision Surgery (deep removal of all the disease) is an effective, less invasive option and is ideally performed by experienced, specialized surgeons with dedicated, multidisciplinary medical teams. The EFA will help create organized networks of specialists and support the establishment of endometriosis centers for excellence nationwide.

“Women are having hysterectomies, suffering from infertility and lifelong pain which could all be avoided with proper education about this frequently misdiagnosed disease. Endometriosis is completely treatable but most doctors don't even know how to look for it,” says Ms. Lakshmi. “I went through years of chronic pain until I met Dr. Seckin who literally changed the quality of my life. I have been treated for the disease and I am now completely healthy and free from the pain and stress it caused and the effect it had on every part of my life. I owe this to Dr. Seckin and I feel I owe it to young women to educate them so that they don't have to go through what I did.”

Adds Dr. Seckin, "Whether it's our mother, sister, daughter or other loved one, we all know someone one with endometriosis."

For more information or to make a tax-deductible donation to the Endometriosis Foundation of America, please visit www.endofound.org

About the Founders

Padma Lakshmi is known internationally as an actress, food expert, model and award-winning author. 2009 will be a busy year for Lakshmi with a new namesake jewelry line coming out in May, returning as host of Bravo's successful television series Top Chef, as well as being the new face of Pantene's Nature Fusion line. Lakshmi established herself as a food expert early in her career, having hosted two successful cooking shows (including the Food Network's Padma's Passport) and writing a best-selling cookbook Easy Exotic, for which she won the International Versailles Event for best cookbook by a first-time writer. Lakshmi followed this success with the publication of her second cookbook Tangy, Tart, Hot & Sweet, a larger endeavor filled with over 150 recipes from around the world and intriguing personal memoirs.

Tamer Seckin, MD, is ranked among America's Top Surgeons and Gynecologists, and over two decades has established himself internationally as a leading specialist in Advanced Laparoscopic Surgery for the treatment of endometriosis, fibroids and associated pelvic pain. Dr. Seckin is noted for his expertise and skill in Excision Surgery, the gold standard therapy for endometriosis and fibroids, holds a patent in this field and has worked in partnership with world famous laparoscopic surgeons Dr. Harry Reich and Dr. C.Y. Liu in New York City. He passionately pursues thorough treatment of even the most challenging pathologies without leaving visible scars and, to that end, is recognized as a pioneer in Natural Orifice Surgery, the next generation of surgical challenge and choice. 

Dr. Seckin serves on the board of the International Society for Gynecologic Endoscopy, and is a member of the American Medical Association, the American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology, the European Society of Reproductive Endocrinology, the Society of Laparoscopic Surgeons, The American Association of Gynecologic Laparoscopy, The American Fertility Society, The American Society for Reproductive Medicine, The Society of Reproductive Surgeons, The New York Gynecological Society and The Society of Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility.