My name is Laurene Agnew. I’m 35 years old, a mother to two beautiful children aged 4 and 6, and I’m fighting for my life.

Since the age of 13, I’ve suffered from debilitating pain caused by endometriosis. For years, I was dismissed by doctors. I was told the pain was “in my head,” that I had a “low pain tolerance,” or that it was simply “a bad period.” I internalised this, thinking I was the problem. But the truth is, my body has been at war with itself for decades, and now, it’s reached a critical point.

To date, I’ve endured eight surgeries to manage my condition, spending £45,000 of my money privately on the last three alone. This doesn’t even begin to account for the lost income, the cost of travel to appointments, or the endless expenses of tests, scans, and medications.

In May 2024, everything took a turn for the worse. I developed Cyclic Vomiting Syndrome, my bowel began bleeding, and I started losing weight at an alarming rate. I’ve shed over 14kg, now weighing just 74.4kg. My bowel is damaged so my food passes through me so quickly that I’m unable to absorb nutrition. During severe flares, I experience bowel incontinence which has been utterly dehumanising. I am scared.

Doctors here in Northern Ireland believe my worsening symptoms are tied to my endometriosis and the damage it has caused. But there’s a catch—there is no specialist in Northern Ireland equipped to treat complex endometriosis cases like mine. Despite my desperate efforts to secure a referral to a specialized center in England, I’ve hit roadblock after roadblock. There’s no oversight of my care, no one to piece my symptoms together holistically. I feel abandoned by the system meant to help me.

This is why I’m turning to you.

Hope in Romania

This Christmas, a renowned consultant in Romania, Dr. Mitroi, reviewed my case. He believes my endometriosis has caused extensive nerve damage, particularly to the nerves responsible for bowel function. He proposes surgery to:

Excise the remaining endometriosis.

Repair scarring and adhesions from previous surgeries.

Perform nerve surgery to restore bowel function.

Without this surgery, my condition will worsen. My bowel function may be irreversibly damaged. I may lose control of my body entirely. Time is running out.

Dr. Mitroi has given me hope, but this hope comes at a cost—€20,000 to cover surgery, a repeat colonoscopy under general anesthesia, pre- and post-operative care, travel, accommodation, and living expenses in Romania for three weeks.

Why I Need Your Help

I’ve spent everything I have fighting this illness. My husband, Chris, and I sacrificed our wedding, our honeymoon, and years of savings to fund my surgeries. We haven’t been on holiday in over a decade because all of our resources have gone into my care.

But now, I’m out of options. My son recently asked me, “Mummy, have we found a doctor yet?” because even at four years old, he sees the toll this has taken on me. My children deserve a healthy mother. I deserve the chance to live without this constant fear that my body is shutting down. My children should not have to fear their mother will die at 35.

How Your Support Will Help

We are asking for support to raise €20,000 to cover:

€10,000 for surgery, colonoscopy, and associated medical costs.

€3,000 for contingencies (additional tests, unexpected complications).

€3,000 for travel and accommodation in Romania.

€2,000 for food and living expenses while abroad.

€2,000 for insurances.

This is not just a fight for me—it’s a fight for my family, for my children, and for the chance to reclaim my life.

Endometriosis has already taken so much from me—my health, my independence, my ability to fully enjoy life’s milestones. But I’m determined not to let it take my future.

I’m not asking you to do this for me. I’m asking you to do this with me. With your help, I can access the care I so desperately need before it’s too late.

Please, if you can donate, share, or even just spread the word, you’re helping me take one step closer to life-saving treatment. From the bottom of my heart, thank you.

Let’s do this together.

With love and gratitude,

Laurene