The Endometriosis Foundation of America (EndoFound) launched its 2025 holiday campaign, “Every Story Matters,” with an $80,000 year-end goal to support research, education, advocacy, and awareness for endometriosis—a disease that affects an estimated 200 million people worldwide.
“We kicked off the campaign on Giving Tuesday, and our community showed up in such a meaningful way,” said Julie Edwards, EndoFound’s Fundraising Manager. “Thanks to early donors and a generous $5,000 matching gift, we surpassed our $10,000 launch goal by 63% and raised more than $16,000 in just the first few days. It’s an incredible reminder that this community believes in the work and the stories behind it.”
"When Padma and I founded this organization over ten years ago, just about nobody knew what endometriosis was," said Tamer Seckin, MD, co-founder of EndoFound alongside Padma Lakshmi. "A disease that causes immense pain for millions around the world, and nobody said the word!"
Endometriosis occurs when tissue similar to the uterine lining grows outside the uterus, causing severe pain and a number of other debilitating symptoms. Despite its prevalence, the average diagnosis takes seven to ten years, with patients frequently dismissed or misdiagnosed along the way.
The "Every Story Matters" campaign centers on amplifying the voices of those who have lived through years of medical dismissal and advocating for systemic change in how the disease is recognized and treated.
Stories That Demand Action
Throughout December, EndoFound is sharing powerful patient stories that illustrate why urgent action is needed.
Caroline, for example, searched for 12 years before finding a surgeon who could help her reclaim her life from the disease. Emorie began experiencing symptoms in middle school but wasn't diagnosed with stage IV endometriosis until over a decade later, and by age 25, the pain had become so severe that she made the devastating decision to undergo a radical hysterectomy.
Amber spent 11 years being told "everything looked fine" despite excruciating pain and repeated hospitalizations. From age 16 to 27, her concerns were dismissed with misdiagnoses like dehydration. When a doctor finally took her seriously in 2023, surgery revealed that her ovaries were fused to her stomach wall and lesions covered her uterus and surrounding organs. She finally had a diagnosis: Stage 3 endometriosis. Following treatment, Amber achieved what she thought impossible—she gave birth to a son in 2024.
These stories represent millions more who continue to suffer in silence, waiting for validation, diagnosis, and treatment. Endometriosis affects 1 in 10 people, but every story is different, and behind those stories are real people, real lives, and real pain.
Building a New Road Forward
"We founded this organization to help pave a new road, one where you are listened to, properly diagnosed, and receive the treatment you deserve," Dr. Seckin shares. "A world where your pain is taken seriously and you get the care you need. The building of this road is well on its way."
The building of this road, Dr. Seckin writes, is well underway. One story at a time, the road is being constructed towards a world where pain is taken seriously and endometriosis patients receive the care they need.
"Each time you tell your story, you lay another foundational brick. When you talk about endometriosis, you reach someone else who might have endo, someone who has been suffering in silence, with no answers and no support. You become their lifeline."
The progress that has been made over the past two decades can already be seen. Where endometriosis was once a taboo topic, awareness has grown significantly thanks to advocacy efforts, medical education initiatives, and patients willing to share their experiences. Yet, as Dr. Seckin reminds the community, the work is far from complete.
How You Can Help
The "Every Story Matters" campaign continues throughout December, with all donations supporting EndoFound's multi-faceted approach to combating endometriosis through:
-
Funding research to advance diagnostic and treatment options
-
Educating students and medical professionals to reduce diagnostic delays, particularly through the ENPOWR Project, which delivers menstrual health education to teenagers across the country
-
Advocating for patients to ensure voices are heard by healthcare systems and policy makers
-
Public awareness campaigns to break down stigma and misinformation while also making space for people with endometriosis to share their stories and help others recognize symptoms and seek care sooner.
Every contribution, no matter how small, will help ensure that patients can be diagnosed earlier and receive appropriate care.
"Whether you live with endo or love someone who does, your compassion shines through in your generosity, and it inspires all of us here at EndoFound," adds Fundraising Manager Julie Edwards.
To support the "Every Story Matters" campaign and help EndoFound reach its $80,000 year-end goal, visit the campaign page at connect.endofound.org.
This holiday season, your year-end gift to EndoFound is more than a donation—it’s a step toward a future where every person with endometriosis is heard, supported, and treated with dignity. A gift that can ensure that every story is heard and that real change continues for the millions living with endometriosis.
