My daughter Lori spent 15 years in pain before finally being diagnosed with endometriosis. No woman should have to fight that long just to be believed.

I’m running the London Marathon and the Brighton 10K to raise money for Endometriosis UK, a cause that is incredibly personal to me.

My daughter Lori lived with symptoms of endometriosis for 15 years before receiving a diagnosis. Like so many women, her symptoms were often dismissed or misunderstood.

Over the past five years, her condition became so severe that she has been unable to work. Her life was placed on hold while she fought for answers and treatment. Eight months ago, at the age of 39, Lori underwent a hysterectomy alongside excision surgery for severe endometriosis after years of suffering but this doesn't cure endometriosis or stop it reoccurring and spreading , it is a whole body, lifelong disease. She is still very unwell.

Lori’s story is heart breaking, but sadly it is not unusual.

Endometriosis affects 1 in 10 women and those assigned female at birth, yet the average time to diagnosis in the UK has just increased to more than 9 years. After diagnosis there is still a huge wait for treatment , Lori had to wait nearly 3 years after her diagnosis for excision surgery with a specialist. Too many women are told their pain and symptoms are normal, ignored, misdiagnosed, or left waiting years for help.

That’s why I’m running the marathon, to raise awareness and support the vital work of Endometriosis UK.

Lori is just one of millions of women whose voices deserve to be heard.

If my marathon miles can help even one woman get diagnosed sooner, it will be worth every step.

If you’re able to donate, no matter how small, you’ll be helping raise awareness, improve support, and give a voice to the millions of women living with endometriosis

Please donate if you can, and if not, SHARING this page helps more than you know.

Thank you for supporting Lori and the 1 in 10 women living with endometriosis.

Joined by an amazing group of women running the Brighton 10k with me ahead of the London Marathon to raise awareness for endometriosis and women's health, I will be sharing my journey along the way, we are #Endowarriors

#BreakTheSilence

#EndometriosisAwareness