London marathon runner raising awareness for endometriosis

Susanne Barton, 26, from Bransgore, will be running in the London marathon on October 2, fundraising for Endometriosis UK, a very common condition 1 in 10 women suffer from, including herself.

She was diagnosed in April 2021 after being bedridden on and off since May 2020.

Susanne said: "I am one of the lucky ones, most sufferers aren’t diagnosed for approximately eight years.

"In my diagnostic laparoscopy, they uncovered that I had stage 2 endometriosis on my bladder, my bowel and the back of my womb as well as a large endometrioma on my left ovary.

"After the removal, I began to get a little bit of my life back. Unfortunately, that's not the end of my endometriosis as it is currently incurable - the main medical way of maintaining it is frequent surgery.

Endometriosis is a condition resulting from the appearance of endometrial tissue outside the uterus and causing pelvic pain.

Susanne after running Birmingham great run as training for London marathon

Endometriosis can affect women at any age. It's a long-term condition that can have a significant impact on your life.

There is currently no cure for endometriosis.

Susanne said: "On a whim at the end of 2021, needing a challenge and feeling a little lost post diagnosis, I signed up for the London marathon. To my surprise, I got in.

"I was never a runner. I remember being chosen to run the 800m for school sports day and walking the last 600m. This has definitely been the challenge I expected.

"Training whilst still suffering with endometriosis has been interesting, to say the least.

"I’m now running upwards of 25km and am still in awe of what my body is capable of. 

"I hope that by raising money for Endometriosis UK we can raise awareness, educate people and maybe even get a little closer to finding a cure."

To donate to Susanne's fundrasier visit: https://tcslondonmarathon.enthuse.com/pf/susanne-barton-fe44d