A MUSICIAN from Worcester who has lived with ‘debilitating’ endometriosis for 23 years is now raising cash in support of the team at Worcestershire Royal Hospital who helped diagnose and treat her condition.
Harriet Amos was diagnosed with endometriosis in 2016, but has been suffering with ‘agonising’ pelvic pain for over two decades. Since her diagnosis, she has endured five gruelling surgeries to treat the condition, including the removal of one of her ovaries.
Endometriosis is a condition where tissue normally found in the lining of the womb grows outside the uterus, most commonly in the pelvis. It affects one in 10 women and those assigned female at birth, and is the second most common gynaecological condition in the UK.
Harriet, a musician and teacher, was supported through her diagnosis and treatment at Worcestershire Acute Hospitals NHS Trust by Angus Thomson, consultant gynaecologist, and the Trust’s endometriosis and pelvic pain team.
Now, during Endometriosis Action Month, Harriet wants to ‘give back’ to the team that helped her by fundraising for the Emergency Gynaecology Assessment Unit at Worcestershire Royal Hospital.
She said: “I have been so well looked after that I wanted to find some way to not only give something back, but also to raise the profile of this awful condition. My decision to donate here was because those patients presenting to emergency care with agonising pelvic pain will be directed here. If they can be met with a little extra comfort as a result of additional funds raised, that for me would mean so much, as I myself have been in that situation many times.”
Harriet, already a familiar fundraiser for the cause, is joining forces once again with local musicians to host a special concert raising funds for EGAU. The money raised will go towards supporting other women and those assigned female at birth in Worcestershire who are accessing the emergency gynaecology services.
Joanna Street, lead endometriosis and pelvic pain specialist nurse at Worcestershire Acute Hospitals, added: “We are so grateful to Harriet for sharing her story to raise awareness of endometriosis, and for taking the time and energy to organise another concert to raise money for EGAU.
“Money raised from the previous concerts organised by Harriet has gone towards purchasing some reclining chairs so that patients who are in pain can sit more comfortably. They are used often and very much appreciated by those who use them. Our endometriosis service in Worcestershire has been able to expand over the last few years but the number of referrals due to this condition continues to rise.”
Members of the public are invited to the concert in aid of Worcestershire Acute Hospitals Charity on Saturday March 28 at St Stephen’s Church in Barbourne, Worcester. The concert starts at 7:30pm and tickets are available on the door and priced at £12.
Visit wahcharity.org/how-you-can-donate to donate to Harriet’s cause.
