The White Dress Project hosted The EmPOWERment Experience in D.C. for Fibroid Awareness Month

Did you know that July is Fibroid Awareness Month? Research has shown that 90% of African American women and 70% of White women will be diagnosed with fibroids before the age of 50. Fibroids have been left out of the national conversation on women’s health, which led to the creation of The White Dress Project. TWDP was created to bring global awareness about the uterine fibroid epidemic through education, research, community, and advocacy. Throughout the years, The White Dress Project has used its platform to break down the walls of silence.

Last weekend, they hosted The EmPOWERment Experience in Washington, D.C. The experience was filled with events all weekend long to honor Fibroid Awareness Month, with “A Night in White” Fundraising Dinner being the signature event. “A Night in White” brings together a throng of community advocates dressed in white attire to raise funds that help improve the quality of life for women living with uterine fibroids. Most women with fibroids do not like to wear white because of the heavy bleeding associated with the condition. The “white dress” is not a fashion statement but it symbolizes a movement of hope and strength for women who are suffering from fibroids and a reminder that we will find a cure.

Events such as the EmPOWERed Patient Luncheon, did not only raise funds and awareness but it provided a safe space for women to share their testimonies and gain expert advice from doctors and health advocates. TWDP’s Founder Tanika Gray Valbrun became passionate about women’s health after her own personal battle with uterine fibroids. She has successfully worked with doctors, health advocates, and elected officials across the country to get legislation passed declaring July as “Fibroids Awareness Month”.

“We’re so excited to launch our first EmPOWERment Experience. This will be an opportunity for our organization to connect with our audience throughout the weekend. We are blossoming as an organization and we want our audience to feel empowered to blossom as well. The voice of the patient is incredibly powerful and we want to foster an environment for our audience to share their stories and be heard” said The White Dress Project founder, Tanika Gray Valbrun.

The White Dress Project (TWDP) is dedicated to its mission by advocating for research funding, highlighting reproductive health inequities, educating many on fibroids and their treatment options, and empowering a community that will advocate for their best health choices and no longer suffers in silence with this chronic illness.

As a non-profit organization, primarily made up of women with impactful fibroid journeys, TWDP is uniquely positioned to educate, empower, and support those who are managing life with fibroids. This work is fulfilled through their vibrant community, scientific and clinical research, and the advisory council of health practitioners, who are leaders within the field. The community is their north star and guiding force as they work to create an environment where health concerns are believed, options are accessible, and community, research, advocacy, and science intersect. To learn more information additional information, visit thewhitedressproject.org.