<div><strong>For my 38th birthday this year, I’m choosing to turn my journey with fibroids into something meaningful—something that can help others.</strong>
</div>
<div><br />
</div>
<div>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.
</div>
<div><br />
</div>
<div>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.
</div>
<div><br />
</div>
<div>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.
</div>
<div><br />
</div>
<div>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.
</div>
<div><br />
</div>
<div>That’s why I’m raising funds for the <strong>FWH x Lupita Nyong’o Uterine Fibroid Grant</strong>. 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."
</div>
<div><br />
</div>
<div>If you’d like to support, here is how you can help:
</div>
<div><br />
</div>
<div><strong>❤️ Donate:</strong> Any amount truly makes a difference in research and care.
</div>
<div><br />
</div>
<div><strong>❤️ Share: </strong>Someone in your life might need to see this today.
</div>
<div><br />
</div>
<div><strong>❤️ Talk about it: </strong>These conversations matter more than we realize.
</div>
<div><br />
</div>
<div>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.
</div>
<div><br />
</div>
<div>Thank you for the birthday love, the shares, and for helping me #<strong>makefibroidscount</strong>. @lupitanyongo @foundationwomenshealth
</div>

GoFundMe Team

Greg Mrva

Arnie Katz

Anonymous

Farzana Erfan

Komal Aggarwal

Farzana Kibria

Shivani Awasthi

Babita Bisht

asheesh malhotra

Nidhi Mehra

Kavita Sinha

YiC C

Anupam Awasthi

Luis Leiva

I’m Turning My Fibroid Journey Into Support for Others

Enter your donation forI’m Turning My Fibroid Journey Into Support for Others