Australian conservationist and television personality Bindi Irwin told supporters at EndoFound’s Blossom Ball on May 3 that she’s with them for the long haul.
“I will spend the rest of my life trying to raise awareness and hopefully help others who are fighting insurmountable personal battles with endometriosis,” she said. “This disease takes away so much and can feel impossible to overcome. My heart breaks for the countless people who haven’t been able to receive the medical help they need. That is why nights like this are vitally important.”
Irwin is the daughter of the late Australian zookeeper, conservationist, and environmentalist Steve Irwin, known internationally as “The Crocodile Hunter,” which was also the name of his 1990s wildlife television series.
More than 400 people attended the 12th annual Blossom Ball at Gotham Hall in New York City. Irwin received the Blossom Award a year after having surgery with EndoFound co-founder Dr. Tamer Seckin and Dr. Amanda Chu. The surgeons removed more than 30 lesions from Irwin, 25, who’d been suffering for more than a decade. She went public with her story on social media days after the surgery.
“For most of my life, my period meant debilitating agony with no end in sight,” Irwin told the Blossom Ball audience. “Before my surgery, I couldn’t have done this no matter how much I wanted to—my endo wouldn’t have allowed me. And yet, here I am. I’m grateful beyond description to be part of this extraordinary evening.”
Irwin said her story is like so many others with endometriosis. She shared her journey of being undiagnosed and misdiagnosed for years despite seeing several doctors and undergoing numerous tests, causing her to feel isolated and hopeless.
“I know from experience that there is a desperate need for more education in the medical community about endometriosis,” Irwin said. “To give doctors the tools to look out for endometriosis and believe women who are brave enough to speak up about their pain. To help them find answers and treatment.”
