Endometriosis Awareness Month

WHEREAS, endometriosis is a debilitating disease that affects 6.3 million women and girls in the United States and 176 million worldwide; and

WHEREAS, endometriosis can be seen in girls as young as eight years old; and

WHEREAS, many women go undiagnosed for approximately seven years before ever knowing they have thedisease; and

WHEREAS, fifty percent of women with endometriosis visit at least five providers before receiving a diagnosis and/or referral; and

WHEREAS, endometriosis is life altering and it can prevent women and girls from going to school, working, and attending social functions, etc.; and

WHEREAS, there is no cure for endometriosis, and diagnosis is through a laparoscopy; and

WHEREAS, The Endometriosis Association estimates there are 96,500 girls, teenagers and women who currently suffer from endometriosis in the state of Alabama:

NOW, THEREFORE, I, Robert Bentley, Governor of the State of Alabama, do hereby proclaim March 2014, as

Endometriosis Awareness Month

in the state of the Alabama, and I urge my fellow citizens to increase awareness, education and services for Endometriosis which affects thousands of Alabamians.