This July, please join our efforts to raise awareness of an important health issue that probably affects some of the women in your life. July is Fibroid Awareness Month, a time for us to acknowledge the many women who suffer from uterine fibroids, up to 80 percent by the age of 50.¹ For these women, daily life may be marked by heavy and frequent bleeding, urinary problems and pain.²

As a husband and father of two daughters, I feel especially grateful to work for a company that has opened my eyes to some of the debilitating gynecological issues that impact women and their families around the world. Part of Hologic’s efforts to support women with fibroids includes our sponsorship of Change the Cycle, a resource for women to learn about fibroids and heavy bleeding and explore options that help them deal with these health conditions.

In support of this larger initiative, Hologic is also holding its second annual Wear White Day on July 17th. On this day, all Hologic employees are asked to wear white and share why they support Change the Cycle’s important mission on their social channels, using the hashtag, #WhyIWearWhite.

Why do we wear white? Heavy bleeding is a major side effect of fibroids, and for women suffering, white is often associated with embarrassing incidents and therefore considered “off limits.” Our goal is to advocate for women with fibroids by turning white into a symbol of empowerment; a recognition that by seeking treatment for their fibroids, women can feel liberated to take their lives back once again. 

I sometimes wonder about the insight I would have into the challenges these women face if I didn’t work at Hologic. I probably would not have an accurate understanding or appreciation of the prevalence of fibroids and the great number of women negatively impacted. I would also likely not realize the reality that it is more common than not for these women to suffer in silence for years before seeking treatment. This Fibroid Awareness Month, I encourage you to ask yourself: “How many women in my life are suffering, without my even knowing?”

Encouraging fibroid awareness is an effort that doesn’t just begin and end in July – it’s an ongoing, day-by-day initiative that we intend to continue growing. Join our team’s efforts to raise awareness of fibroids as a serious health condition that may be impacting you or some of the women in your life. Let us know why this issue is important to you by connecting with Change the Cycle via Twitter, Facebook and Instagram, and remember to use the hashtag, #WhyIWearWhite. By working together to elevate this prevalent issue, we can help promote a change and positively impact the lives of more women around the world.