My close friend Anna has been living with endometriosis for many years, but her condition has now reached a critical stage.

Anna was first diagnosed with endometriosis following surgery in 2018. Since then, she has endured years of worsening severe symptoms, symptoms that have significantly affected her quality of life, both physically and mentally. Despite her diagnosis, she faced years of delays in accessing specialist endometriosis care, spending long periods on waiting lists while her symptoms continued to worsen.

Recent specialist investigations have revealed that Anna has advanced Stage IV deep infiltrating endometriosis affecting her bowel. MRI scans have identified a large endometriosis nodule measuring approximately 4cm, which has invaded the bowel wall and caused significant narrowing of her bowel.

Specialist colorectal and endometriosis surgeons have confirmed that the disease is causing significant distortion of her anatomy and that conservative treatment is no longer appropriate. They have advised that definitive surgery is now required. Following review by specialist surgeons, Anna has been warned that delaying treatment carries a significant risk of future bowel obstruction, which could result in emergency surgery and potentially far more serious complications.

Further investigations have already shown that the narrowing of her bowel is so severe that a colonoscopy could not be completed, even using a paediatric scope. Specialists have confirmed that the bowel narrowing is significant and requires urgent treatment.

The planned operation is highly specialised and involves a team of expert endometriosis and colorectal surgeons. The surgery will involve the removal of deep infiltrating endometriosis and resection of the affected section of bowel. This is major surgery, with an expected hospital stay of several days and a recovery period lasting several weeks.

Because of the urgency of her condition and the lengthy wait for NHS treatment, Anna has been left with an impossible choice: continue waiting with no clear timeline for surgery while risking further progression of the disease, or pursue private treatment. After seeking multiple specialist opinions, she has made the difficult decision to proceed with private surgery.

The cost of the operation alone is £15,777, an amount that is simply beyond her means.

Cost breakdown:

• Hospital Fee - £8,527

• Consultant Fee - £6,000

• Anaesthetist Fee - £1,250

This does not include the additional financial impact of specialist consultations, investigations she has had to self-fund, or the loss of income during an expected six-week recovery period.

We’re hoping to raise funds to help Anna access the treatment she urgently needs and relieve some of the enormous financial burden she is now facing.

Anyone who knows Anna knows how strong, kind and resilient she is. After years of pain, uncertainty, countless appointments and fighting to be heard, she finally has a treatment plan that offers hope for a better quality of life and a future free from the daily impact of this disease.

Any donation, no matter how small, will help bring her one step closer to the surgery she desperately needs.

Anna's surgery is booked for 4th June 2026.

Thank you so much for your support – it is hugely appreciated xx