ABOVE PHOTO: Participants pose for picture before the race. (Photos courtesy Ashlynne Photos)
By Aaminah Rasheed
The PCOS (Polycystic Ovary Syndrome) Challenge 5K Walk National Campaign was a joyous event bringing together families, supporters and fighters of all ages and backgrounds together all for one cause, to bring awareness and make pcos a public health priority.
The event was held at Cooper River Park Sunday September 25th.
According to PCOS challenge;
“PCOS is one of the most critical, under-diagnosed, underfunded and neglected areas of health.
There is a huge disparity when it comes to PCOS diagnosis, support and research. It is estimated that 50-75 percent of women with PCOS are going undiagnosed.”
“PCOS affects 1 in 10 people with ovaries. It is a genetically caused hormone imbalance that affects your overall health and appearance.”
Symptoms include menstrual irregularities, excess hair growth, acne, obesity, infertility, and cysts around the ovaries. PCOS can also increase your risks for other health complications such as diabetes, cardiovascular disease and cancer.
Women are urged to ask a doctor to be screened for PCOS if you have 2 or more of these symptoms.
No cure has been found yet but there are ways in which it can be managed, including finding the right balance of diet exercise and supplements that work for you.
No one battle is the same. Everyone who has PCOS may have a different combination of these symptoms as they can be interchangeable so everyone with PCOS may have different remedies that may only work for them as well.
Living with PCOS is definitely a journey and the PCOS Challenge has made exceptional efforts over the years to get people the help that they need.
The PCOS Challenge hosts this event in different cities across the US. and is still going strong in their efforts to get those affected the resources they need.
The event started with an opening ceremony starting with speaker, William Paterson and two representatives from the sponsors of the event, PCOS Nutrition Center and Theralogix.
Angela Grassi, author and representative from the PCOS nutrition center conducted a warm up to help get the participants ready.
Sandy, a representative from Theralogix, gave words of encouragement to the runners and gave information on Ovasitol, a supplement used to treat symptoms of PCOS.
Water and nutritional snacks were provided for participants. Upbeat music was played to keep everyone pumped and plenty of informational pamphlets and books were available, merch and samples of useful supplements to help regulate symptoms were also provided.
Everyone finished strong. Inspiring moments were captured as each participant made it through the finish line.
The closing included a special happy birthday song to one of the younger participants, Ellie, who turned 5 years old.
For more information on PCOS and PCOS challenge visit pcoschallenge.com
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