KEFA Founder urges women to learn more about condition

By Anesta Henry

The founder of the Katrina Endometriosis Fund Association (KEFA) is advocating for greater awareness of the disease among Barbadians.

While delivering the feature address at the Fashion Art Music (FAM) for Endometriosis Symposium and Cocktail organised by Jump Life Entertainment in St Vincent recently, Katrina Alleyne said it was time endometriosis became a household name “just like cancer and diabetes”.

“For, in my opinion, a condition that affects 1 in 10 women, it often takes too long for an accurate diagnosis to be made. Hence, teenagers, young ladies and women experiencing confusing symptoms and not knowing what’s going on with their bodies, in the absence of an accurate diagnosis are unsure about how to make life-changing decisions to manage the condition.

“Imparting good body literacy to ladies can assist them in making effective decisions and input into their well-being, whether it be holistic or, as is often the case, resorting to surgery. As a side note, let me state that having a hysterectomy does not cure endometriosis,” she said.

Endometriosis is a condition where tissue similar to the lining of the womb grows in other places, such as the ovaries and fallopian tubes.

Having suffered from the condition for most of her life, Alleyne said she founded KEFA six years ago to bring awareness about the condition to people in Barbados. 

Each year, KEFA has an Endo-Drive through which it is able to donate feminine hygiene products and toiletries to the Queen Elizabeth Hospital (QEH) and the less fortunate. 

Alleyne launched the Endo-Drive in St Vincent during her visit and said the mission would be extended to that Caribbean country.

“I can safely say that many Barbadians are now aware of this condition but we still have more work to do,” she said.

Indicating that period poverty exists in the Caribbean, Alleyne told the gathering that for women who suffer from gynaecological issues such as endometriosis and are burdened with heavy and long menstrual cycles, it is not only depressing but also expensive for them to manage the condition as they had to spend hundreds of dollars on sanitary products annually.

The KEFA founder added it was possible to rack up thousands of dollars in doctors’ fees and medication. 

“Now, although not listed or recognised as one of the most highlighted chronic illnesses, it is very much a chronic illness. However, most importantly, chronic illness should never be used to define a person and label them unfairly.

“I would hasten to add that effective chronic disease and pain management, improving treatment options, and a patient’s mental health are all very necessary on this journey.”

Alleyne said she had heard many women speak about their relationships ending because their partners could not understand why they were constantly in pain or could not be intimate at times.

She said this was why it was necessary for men to understand the challenges faced by women who have endometriosis.

“And men can only understand these issues if they are educated about them. Therefore, the discussion must not only be about women, it must be all-inclusive,” Alleyne said.

She advised women who have not been diagnosed with endometriosis but have been experiencing heavy and long periods to visit their gynaecologist to determine whether they have the disease, so they could receive the necessary womb care.

While in St Vincent, Alleyne presented care packages to the school for children with disabilities, on behalf of KEFA. 

She told Barbados TODAY that the association would also be presenting sanitary napkins and care packages to institutions in Barbados’ disabled community. 

FAM, at which Alleyne spoke, is an annual event that is geared towards bringing awareness to endometriosis in St Vincent. Founder and endometriosis advocate Neeka Anderson-Isaacs said the awareness campaign and fundraiser assists women struggling with that condition and other reproductive health issues. (AH)