16 endometriosis specialists cycle London to Edinburgh - 5thto 8thMay 2018
On the 5th May, a group BSGE surgeons and endometriosis specialists cycled 450 miles in four days to raise money for Endometriosis UK.
BSGE member, Lutfi Shamsuddin sees the devastating effect that this condition can have on the lives of women and wants to raise awareness of endometriosis and bring attention to the severity of the condition. As a result, he put together a team of BSGE surgeons from all over the country to ride from London to Edinburgh with him to this years BSGE (British Society for Gynaecological Endoscopy) ACM meeting.
Endometriosis effects 176 million women worldwide, and 1.5 million women in the UK alone. It is a gynaecological condition that costs the economy £8.2bn a year in treatment, loss of work and healthcare costs.
“I cried every day, but it was an enjoyable torture” shares Dr Natasha Waters, one of the cyclists, “I got through it though, because I chose to do the ride and I could walk away from it at any time. Women with chronic pain due to endometriosis can't walk away, they don’t have that choice.”
“Endometriosis is such a challenging condition and so it only feels right to do something really challenging in its honour” says Lutfi, “As a result of this bike ride, I want to ensure that the condition gets the recognition it deserves, and I want it to work towards improving everyone’s knowledge; not just patients, but also GP’s, gynaecologists, medical experts. I want to help make sure that the condition is treated appropriately and that everyone with endometriosis gets the same level of care.”
Although they had faced some challenges – one of which being a puncture! - the team made it to the finish line and we are so grateful for all the money and awareness they have managed to raise for us! The event was self-funded, and even though the ride is over, you can still make a donation to support them and us on their Virgin Money Giving Page: https://bit.ly/2DaodeD
Meet the Team:
Lutfi has pulled together a team of endometriosis specialists from all over the country – and some further afield - to do this ride with him and raise awareness of this condition. These include:
Lutfi Shamsuddin – Consultant Obstetrician & Gynaecologist, University Hospital of Wales, Cardiff
Simon Phillips – Consultant Colo-rectal Surgeon, University Hospital of Wales, Cardiff
Stephen Burrell – Consultant Obstetrician & Gynaecologist, Luton & Dunstable NHS Trust
Zeiad El Gizawy – Consultant Obstetrician & Gynaecologist, University Hospital of North Midlands
Chris Guyer - Consultant Gynaecologist and Minimal Access Surgeon, Portsmouth Hospitals
Chris Hardwick – Consultant Obstetrician & Gynaecologist, Queen Elizabeth University Hospital, Glasgow
Peter Hinstridge - Consultant Obstetrician & Gynaecologist, North Middlesex University Hospital, London
Kenneth Lim – Consultant Gynae-Oncologist, University Hospital of Wales, Cardiff
Chris Morris – Obstetrics & Gynaecologist Specialist Registrar, Severn Deanery
Natasha Waters – Consultant Gynaecologist, Chichester Hospital
Piotr Czucwar - Consultant Gynaecologist, Poland
Tal Jacobson, Consultant Gynaecologist, Eve Health, Brisbane, Australia
Michael Wyn Williams, Consultant Gynaecologist, Eve Health, Brisbane, Australia
Paul Lewis – STORZ
Support Vehicles:
Elizabeth Bruen – Endometriosis Nurse Specialist, University Hospital of Wales, Cardiff
Richard Penketh – Consultant Obstetrician & Gynaecologist, University Hospital of Wales, Cardiff
– Ends –