Sponsor my marathon wait to fight medical misogyny
Monica Thomas is raising money for Women's Health Hope
Story
Many of you will know, it took me 17 years to be diagnosed with endometriosis, I waited so long it’s now spread to my chest. I am now on the list for chest surgery and pelvic and bowel surgery. I founded women’s health Hope because I wanted to make a difference to others.
But the truth is, when I founded Women’s Health Hope, I was in a mentally dark place. I couldn’t see a way out. Every day felt like a battle just to exist. I was exhausted - not just physically, but emotionally and spiritually. I felt like I was screaming into a void, unheard and unseen. I questioned whether I could keep going, whether there was any point in continuing to fight for help that never seemed to come. I was completely broken.
I remember lying in bed one night, tears streaming down my face, thinking: If I feel this alone, how many others must too? That thought stuck with me. I didn’t want anyone else to feel like this -to feel invisible, dismissed, and desperate.
I wanted to create something that could support others, somewhere people could feel heard and validated. A space that reminded women theyweren’t alone, and that their pain was real. I wanted to turn everything I had been through into something meaningful. I wanted to be the person I so badly needed all those years
I've been waiting in pain just for the healthcare I need. This London Marathon weekend – please sponsor my marathon journey towards better health with proceeds going to Women's Health Hope.
The bigger picture:
Gynaecology wait times have tripled since 2014, leaving 760,000 women waiting in pain. A huge proportion (260,000) are not being seen within the NHS 18 week target time.
For many, it’s well over a year – 365 days of agony and counting. And the wait for diagnosis and surgery is even worse. Women with endometriosis typically wait over 8 years for a diagnosis. They then often wait several more years for surgery, all whilst enduring debilitating pain.
Turn our pain into power. Sponsor women like me on the NHS waitlist to raise funds for Women’s Health Hope. And help us end medical misogyny.