For my 38th birthday this year, I’m choosing to turn my journey with fibroids into something meaningful—something that can help others.

In this photo, the red balloon is deeply symbolic for me. It represents "the red"—the sudden, heavy bleeding and chronic anemia that I lived with for years. A balloon looks light, almost whimsical, but for a long time, it felt like a weight I was tethered to. It quietly dictated where I could go, how I showed up, and how much energy I had left to give.

As a Bangladeshi woman, I’ve realized that while red is often a color of celebration for us, the "red" of our health struggles is usually kept invisible. We are so often taught to just "endure" and push through the pain. For years, I was told that my heavy bleeding and exhaustion was "normal", I minimized the symptoms, and adjusted my life around it. Slowly, though, it began to feel like I was living as a prisoner in my own body.

In January 2025, I finally chose to take my health back and had a myomectomy. That surgery was my moment of release—the moment I finally got to let that string go. But I also recognize the immense privilege I had in accessing quality healthcare to make that choice. It changed my life, but recovery shouldn’t be a privilege; it should be the standard for everyone.

Since I started opening up about my experience, even just a little, I I’ve been overwhelmed by how many friends, colleagues, and acquaintances have been quietly dealing with the exact same story.

That’s why I’m raising funds for the FWH x Lupita Nyong’o Uterine Fibroid Grant. Your donations helps fund research and directly support scientists developing less-invasive and non-invasive treatments. No one should have to spend years questioning their body or accepting pain as their "baseline."

If you’d like to support, here is how you can help:

❤️ Donate: Any amount truly makes a difference in research and care.

❤️ Share: Someone in your life might need to see this today.

❤️ Talk about it: These conversations matter more than we realize.

Sharing this isn’t easy, but if it helps even one person feel seen or empowered to ask for the care they deserve, then it’s the best gift I could ask for. I’m happy to start this conversation and would love to connect with others who want to share theirs.

Thank you for the birthday love, the shares, and for helping me #makefibroidscount. @lupitanyongo @foundationwomenshealth