The PCOS Awareness Campaign Announces a National PCOS Awareness Month

The PCOS Awareness Campaign, a new organization committed to bringing awareness to society about PCOS (Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome) will campaign for PCOS Awareness during a month long celebration in February 2006, when they will ask the world to ?Have a Heart for PCOS?.

September 30, 2005 -- For many diagnosed with PCOS, PCOS Awareness and support plays a key role in helping them learn to live and deal with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome. The organization believes PCOS Awareness has to happen now to ensure women and girls do not have to go through another day, month or year of silent suffering.

Up to 10% of women of reproductive age in the United States (Approximately 6 million) have polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS). As the name may suggest the condition in many cases causes cysts on the ovaries and is the leading cause of infertility. However, the name should not fool you, PCOS is a complex hormonal disorder for which there is no cure. It is also a precursor to many life-threatening conditions.

For many, Polycystic Ovary Syndrome means having to face daily battles with a range of symptoms that can vary from woman to woman including: irregular or absent menses, dark skin patches, obesity, depression, acne, hair loss, fatigue, excess facial and body hair and skin tags.

Additionally, many women with PCOS are insulin resistant, a condition that raises the level of insulin circulating in the body and in may cause women with PCOS to become overweight or obese.

PCOS is a physical and emotional drain on many individuals with the syndrome due to the devastating external manifestations and hormonal imbalances produced as a result of this syndrome. If left untreated or undiagnosed, PCOS can drastically impair a persons life and future, as it is a precursor to conditions including; type II diabetes, hypertension, cardiovascular disease, stroke, liver disease and kidney problems. This means PCOS contributes to some of the leading causes of death and disability in women today!

The PCOS Awareness Campaign plans to incite, inspire and empower the PCOS Community to speak very openly about their struggles, symptoms, and trials to overcome the illness this February, to help other women and girls understand the syndrome and seek the proper resources to help them manage their lives with PCOS. They hope to be a driving force in changing the way the public, media and government views PCOS education, treatment and coverage for medical procedures and treatments, as a result of PCOS.

The PCOS Awareness Website will be updated over the next few weeks to provide information on the planned programs, events and resources available during the awareness campaign.

Upcoming Events include:
Online Chat Series

Wednesday February 1, 8PM EST
PCOS 101
Dr. Scott Roseff

Thursday, February 2, 8PM EST
Living with PCOS
Kat Carney

Friday, Febraury 3, 8:30PM EST
Teaching your family to live with and understand PCOS
Dr. Deborah K. Ward

Monday, February 6, 8:30PPM EST
Treatments for PCOS
Dr. Corrine Welt

Tuesday, February 7, 8PM EST
Fertility Strategies
Dr. Shahab Minassian

Wednesday, February 8, 7PM EST
PCOS and natural alternatives
Dr. Mary Shackelton

Thursday, Febraury 9, 7:30PM EST
PCOS and long term health
Dr. Katherine Sherif

Thursday, February 16, 8PM EST
Emotional Aspects of PCOS - Androgen Exces Symptoms and Depression
Dr. Gail Schoen Lemaire

National Events:
Sunday, February 5 - Light the Night for PCOS
Join The PCOS Awareness Campaign and the PCOS Community as we light up the night sky throughout the United States to show our unity and shed a light on PCOS! All candles are asked to be lit at 8:30PM local time. Step out on your lawn as an individual, get a group together or join a Light the Night for PCOS event in your area! Together we can be a guiding light and end the silence of this syndrome!

Sunday, February 12 ? Walk the Walk for PCOS
Join National Walk the Walk day for PCOS Awareness. Get together with a group of friends all wearing PCOS Awareness Gear or hold a fundraising event in which you and your community walk for donations! See our plan a local event page for further details!

Tuesday, February 14 ? Have a Heart for PCOS
There are a number of ways you can have heart for PCOS on Have a Heart day.

Download one of our PCOS Awareness Hearts and e-mail it to a loved one, friend or fellow community member. Spread the love by purchasing a spot on our I have a heart for PCOS Awareness page. Make a $2.00 donation and you will receive a heart with the name that you specify on our Have a Heart Page. Hold a Have a heart for PCOS Valentine?s Dance

Monday, February 20 - Decked out in TEAL Day
Show your support for PCOS Awareness by wearing teal shirts, dresses, awareness jewelry, shoes, etc? Send us your Deck out in Teal photos for our website scrapbook!

Tuesday, February 28 - PCOS Awareness Awards
The PCOS Awareness Campaign will recognize individuals and professionals that have demonstrated unsurpassed support and advancement for PCOS Awareness.

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