Reflecting on 2014, and Thank You

2014 was a monumental year, both in the Endometriosis community and in my own life. Of course, the biggest, most life changing event this year was the founding of Ask Me About My Endo. When we began this journey, AMAME was nothing more than a t-shirt design and a few big ideas about how to make an impact in the Endometriosis community. Endometriosis had shaped so much about my life, and I didn't feel I had control over any of it. This year, I took control of my identity as an Endo Sister with not much more than a burning passion to share my story and make an impact on the next generation. As one of an estimated 176 million women affected by the disease worldwide, my ideas seemed at times too big and grand to achieve, and at others too small and simple to affect much change.  I had a lot of big ideas, many that were too much for me to achieve in such a busy year. Some continue to poke me as I fall asleep at night and remind me of everything I haven't accomplished because life gets in the way. I had big dreams about organizing a benefit concert, creating a music video campaign, writing a book, and getting into schools and sharing my story with teens, who I hoped to arm with information should they ever start their own path to a diagnosis. 

Many nights I've stayed awake for hours kicking myself for not sending an email or getting a sewing project finished. How can I make a difference if I get so little accomplished? All those projects floating in my mind that didn't come to fruition this year haunted me. That little voice in the back of my head whispered, "See...you can't do this. You can't make a difference. Look at all the things you didn't do this year." 

Then a stronger voice took over, saying "Look at everything we DID accomplish! This has been a crazy year, but look at everything we've done so far! Those projects don't have a deadline. Let's work on them next year!" 

• Since February of this year, we have gained 1663 followers from 45 (45!!) countries around the world on Facebook. I am so incredibly humbled by the opportunity to interact with such a thoughtful, supportive, diverse group of people 
• One of our Facebook posts reached 20,500 people! That's mind blowing!
• We held our first Flash Mob in Boston to help spread awareness about Endometriosis and invite others to join us at the Endo March 
• We had the privilege to travel to Washington, D.C. for the Endo March and meet some of the most inspiring women I have ever had the pleasure to know
• We were able to learn about the End to Endo project while in D.C., and participated in this game changing research (by the way, we also totally encourage you to participate too! Head over to www.endtoendo.com for more info) 
• Through our Cafe Press shop, we raised enough money to start this resource website, which gives us the chance to share our story and our mission for awareness and advocacy. The website continues to grow and change as we receive feedback from our fans
• We had a BLAST creating some really fun awareness photos featuring our mascot, Ruby the Endo Roo, and are stoked about our upcoming awareness campaign, Rubys on Parade, happening in Endometriosis Awareness Month, March 2015 (and yes, we got some weird stares from people as we took photos of Ruby in D.C., Walt Disney World, Chicago, and New Hampshire!)
• We handcrafted and shipped 19 Ruby the Endo Roos! (I am seriously stoked when I see photos of those Rubys out and about in the world, so keep them coming!!)
• We rebranded my Etsy shop with a new mission to donate a portion of every sale to women seeking advanced care with excision surgeons
• We created a line of heating pads specifically designed with women with chronic pelvic pain in mind, all handcrafted in our home
• Thanks to your support, we have donated nearly $100 to excision surgery fundraisers! That may not seem like a lot, but for the women trying to pay for their surgeries, every dollar counts.  We hope to double this in the coming year!

Most importantly, we have had the immense honor of meeting incredible women who are fighting every single day for awareness, compassion, effective treatment, and hopefully someday, a cure to this debilitating disease. I could never have imagined this time last year that I would have the opportunity to meet so many brave, kind people that make up our amazing community. Throughout the hardships, there is a passion for change that is impossible to ignore. There are so many women who continue to inspire me to be a better person and to strive for better outcomes for the next generation of women. There are so many of you out there who are making an impact in our future. For that, thank you. You are all rock stars! 

And finally, I want to thank my AMAZING husband for being my rock, my partner, and my inspiration. I could never have become who I am today without you. :)

Wishing each and every one of you a happy, healthy, and productive 2015! Let's change the world one baby step at a time!