WHO WE ARE
After 8 years of having symptoms of endometriosis, a collapsed lung, misdiagnosis and three surgeries, I was finally diagnosed in 2010 with Stage IV Endometriosis.
This is my story.
For so long I had suffered, and wasn’t able to connect with “endosisters” who shared similar experiences, and outside of my current set of (excellent) doctors, I wasn’t able to get the support which would have been so helpful to me and my loved ones. If I even dared to tell someone I had endometriosis I had gotten so accustomed to hearing “Endo what?” or “Oh, you have bad period cramps”.
So I sought support elsewhere – I did some research and participated in many online forums, and realized that I was not alone, there are millions of women all over the world that have this horrible disease. But I found this kind of support network lacking in Jamaica…which is what ultimately motivated me to start Shauna Fuller Clarke’s B.A.S.E. Foundation.
Our mission is to provide support and information to women who suffer from Endometriosis and promote research in the medical field. We also aim to create better awareness of this disease amongst the general public, women and the medical profession.
HISTORY
2013
The Shauna Fuller Clarke’s B.A.S.E. Foundation was founded by Shauna, Sonia Fuller and Ricardo Clarke on March 1st.
We decided there needed to be a place for women with Endometriosis in Jamaica to get support as well as a need for more awareness amongst the general public.
2014
We held the first Million Woman March for Endometriosis (Endo March) and was named one of the top 5 most supported events out of over 60 participating countries globally.
We also successfully lobbied the Governor General of Jamaica Sir Patrick Allen to name March as Endometriosis Awareness Month. The first to do so in the Caribbean.
2015
We held our second Endo March and created a great deal of awareness throughout the entire month of March. Our initial goal of bringing more awareness for a disease that most people had not heard of people is gaining traction and women and men are speaking up and asking questions.
We will continue our push for Endo Awareness and Support…