The Endo Network’s Run To End Endo™ 2021

We came together during September 18th - 27th 2021 for The Endo Network’s Run To End Endo™, and we invited you to join from around the world.

You listened to the awesome Spotify playlists curated by the amazing community, and TENC’s board members and volunteers.

You took part in this incredible event by joining us virtually and shared your journey while walking, running, and biking your way through 1km, 5km, and 10km distances.

We are so thankful for your inspiring participation, contribution and for coming together as the strong and compassionate community we are, during this extraordinary event.

 

Top Three Fundraisers

Deanna Buttars (she/her) - Cambridge, ON

“The Endo Network’s Run To End Endo™ popped up on Twitter at a very appropriate time in my life. I had recently undergone surgery and it got me thinking. I was so grateful for the level of care I had received that I almost felt guilty. I had finally seen change and was feeling more hopeful for the future. Endo has been part of my life for over 20 years so it was certainly a welcomed change. After giving social media another try and learning so much more about endometriosis and what TENC offered, I felt it necessary to do something. I believe organizations like TENC are VITAL. We need a trusted and reliable source. I was truly overwhelmed by the support from family and friends. The response, the donations and the awareness it brought was incredible. Even knowing how many are affected by Endo, I was surprised to find out how many people close to me have been dealing with this condition. The day of the walk was a special day spent with family and friends. They have been extremely supportive throughout the years and I’m lucky to have them in my life. I was shocked to see I was in a top donor position. I have to admit…it felt good. I’m happy to see our support is going to such a worthy cause. I hope these events start spreading like wildfire. I hope one day these fundraisers are as common as a walk Diabetes or Breast Cancer. Endometriosis patients deserve this. There are far too many of us struggling. I hope more people reach out and The Endo Network’s Run To End Endo™ participants list continues to grow. It’s been a pleasure taking part in this event. “

 

Sue Pellerin (she/her) - Fonthill, ON

“The Endo Network’s Run To End Endo™ is an opportunity to spread awareness. I am pleased that I was able to get sponsorships based on the information that I gave people. It was actually a simple way to generate funds. (Well, simple for me!). The highlight was being given an opportunity to show my support for my nieces in a way that also allowed other people to learn more about endo. Having seen first-hand the effects of endo, I hope that more can be done....more awareness, more research, more support. I also feel that it took a long time to diagnose my nieces' symptoms so as to determine it was endo. It was quite upsetting to see them experience what they did.”

Erin Ball (she/her) - Waterloo, ON

“For me, The Endo Network’s Run To End Endo™ is all about community and raising awareness. It’s about generating discussions around what endometriosis is, what its symptoms are, and how it affects the lives of people with it. The Endo Network’s Run To End Endo™ gave me an opportunity to share my story. I was absolutely blown away by the number of people who reached out to share their own experiences with me - whether it be themselves, a sibling, or a friend going through their own battle with endo or suspected endo. As many people know or have personally experienced, endometriosis can be an incredibly isolating condition. Despite it being a virtual event this year, The Endo Network Canada did an amazing job of fostering a sense of inclusion and community. It was great seeing people share their selfies, signs, and routes - all in support of endo awareness. It is my sincerest hope that awareness events like this help to decrease the amount of time to diagnosis. My personal path to diagnosis took nine years, several doctors, ER visits, and a lot of time spent believing (and being told by medical professionals) that what I was experiencing was “normal”. We deserve better.” 

 

Top Three Teams

Dana Friedrichsen (she/her) - Toronto, ON

GoodbyeEndo

“Events like The Endo Network’s Run To End Endo™ allow us to raise much-needed funds and awareness for endometriosis. Canada has a long way to go when it comes to recognition of endo and having a national action plan to tackle it, but it is so important to have events like this coming out of Canada because we have an opportunity to be leaders in progress and events for this disease that is affecting way too many people.” 

 

Ashton Golding (she/her) - Barrie, ON

The Pain Killers

“As someone who suffers from endometriosis, I have experienced first hand how debilitating and life changing this disease can be. While trying to navigate my way through our very frustrating medical system, I am constantly reminded of the lack of awareness, education and resources for endometriosis in both the medical community and society as a whole. Endometriosis affects so many people and we shouldn’t have to suffer like we do. We need more specialists, more resources, more funding and ultimately better care. I believe the first step in working towards these goals is to raise awareness. Events such as The Endo Network’s Run To End Endo™ create a platform to do exactly that. We get to share our stories, educate others, fundraise and in turn I feel that it creates a sense of community. I am so grateful for the outpour of support I received during this event through kind words and donations, to those who reached out and shared their own stories, and to my incredible team for their participation and constant support.” 

 

Stephanie Pezzimenti (she/her) - Fonthill, ON

Pez’s Endo Warriors

“Raising awareness and having fundraising events within Canada, like The Endo Network’s Run To End Endo™ are key to bringing awareness to endometriosis. Awareness events create a sense of unity and are able to join the community together. Events like this are instrumental to providing education and knowledge to the general public about a disease that is widely misunderstood, under researched, and underfunded in Canada. Awareness events also help connect people with endometriosis to others who are going though similar experiences. This disease can be very isolating and we need to know we are not alone. They also initiate much needed conversations about endometriosis that can help bring us closer to change.” 

 

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Proactive Pelvic Health Centre is the first private integrative pelvic health rehabilitation clinic in Toronto.

We assist all genders, of all ages and stages, with pelvic health issues such as pain and incontinence. Our mission is simple: to improve the quality of life of those that we treat with professional, confidential and compassionate care.

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Designed by Shannon Philion

 

Virtual Bib & Finisher Certificate Designed

by Paige Heffler

“I have been creating art since I was a child, and my passion continues today. I enjoy painting, digital art, sketching, taking photographs, and much more. I wanted to become involved in TENC because I was officially diagnosed with endometriosis in 2020 and it has greatly impacted my life. I hope that my art makes people smile, even if they're having a tough day."

Discover more about this artist