Fundraising efforts to help Llangollen woman with rare form of endometriosis travel to America for surgery
Businesses from across the region have rallied together to help raise funds to help a local woman travel to America for Thoracic Endometriosis Surgery.
29-year-old Harley Walker from Llangollen, is due to fly over next month for diagnostic tests to remove the endometriosis – an illness that causes her daily pain and suffering.
The chronic and debilitating condition is caused by cells, like the ones in the lining of the womb, grow elsewhere in the body. This can lead to painful and heavy periods – and in some cases can lead to infertility and bladder and bowel problems.
It is thought that around 1.5 million women in the UK are currently living with the condition.
In a bid to help raise funds for Harley to travel to America to receive the treatment she needs, her friend Laura Clays, has organised a charity auction featuring prizes from businesses from across North Wales.
Various prizes have been donated such as overnight stays, dining experiences and golf course entries.
Speaking about the auction, Laura said: “It has been so difficult watching Harley suffer from this condition with very little support from the NHS.
“I just had to do something to help raise money for her to go to America to see a specialist who can hopefully give Harley her quality of life back.
“I’ve been overwhelmed by local businesses generosity to donate prizes to the auction and I cannot thank them enough.”
Harley, who is a local business owner herself, set up Harley’s Vintage Boutique in Llangollen in 2013.
However over the last couple of years endometriosis has made it difficult to keep her business going and has only managed to keep it going through support of friends and relatives.
Harley re-mortgaged her home to pay for a private doctor to help her and 18 months ago he paid £20,000 to have surgery to remove the endometriosis from her pelvis area.
Her private surgeon explained to her the pain she was getting in her chest was referred pain from her pelvis area and that following the surgery to chest pain would go.
However unfortunately this has not happened and Harley has been left in agonising chest pain which prevents her from sleeping and having any quality of life.
Harley managed to find a specialist in America who has reviewed her medical notes and said it is highly likely that she has thoracic endometriosis. Harley is due to go across to America in July for diagnostic tests and if confirmed to have surgery to remove the endometriosis. It is estimated this will cost £40,000
Lucy added: “At present extra pelvic (outside of the pelvis) forms of Endometriosis are considered extremely rare in the UK, with the NICE guidelines not including it as a recognised manifestation of the disease.
“But without recognition of this form of the disease and nobody to diagnose or treat it, women are having to suffer undiagnosed or misdiagnosed or commonly travel abroad for treatment. The medical system needs to realise how common this disease has become and how it can easily grow anywhere in the body.
“Feeling like she has no other alternatives Harley set up a GoFundMe page to try and raise funds for her operation in America. https://uk.gofundme.com/
“They have so far raised £10,000 on the platform however still have a way to go to reach the £40,000. They are hoping the auction will help to add some more vital funds towards the surgery
The online auction will end on Sunday 30th June. You can view the auction and bid for the items available, here.
Photo: Laura Clays, auction organiser, Harley Walker, endometriosis sufferer and friend Amy Harrison, celebrating the opening of Harley’s Vintage Boutique in 2013
Spotted something? Got a story? Email [email protected]
