"Shatters the myths surrounding endometriosis."
"Hands down my pick for film of the year because its truth-telling is powerful & inspirational."
"This film is the first step in a plan to educate & organize for change."
"Gives real, straightforward information to shed the mystery surrounding the disease."
Did you know that women with endometriosis see an average of 8 doctors for 10 years before they’re diagnosed?
During that time, many are forced to abandon dreams of having children, to leave careers they love and to watch their personal relationships suffer. They’re regularly told (erroneously) that pregnancy & hysterectomy are cures and that pain is normal or in their heads.
It’s time to break that cycle. It’s time for a normal that doesn’t mean multiple doctors, surgeries, misdiagnoses and years of pain.
The only film of its kind, Endo What? gives you an accurate, up-to-date base of knowledge straight from the experts – a vital resource missing until now.
It is possible. You may have endo, but endo does not have you.
Our goal with this film is to give you all the info you need to make the best choices about your health.
Take it & take control of your life.
**Proceeds from sales help fund educational efforts for school nurses & health care providers. In our 1 + 1 = 100s model, your support of the film supports efforts to change the lives of thousands of girls and women.
Endometriosis or “endo” affects an estimated 176 million women and girls worldwide. It’s a body-wide disease that occurs when tissue similar to the lining of the uterus is found elsewhere in the body causing pain, organ dysfunction and/or infertility. While no one definitively knows the cause, theories include genetics, stem cells and blood & lymph system distribution. Inflammation is a key factor and certain environmental toxins have been linked. There is no cure. However, with the right information & resources girls and women can take actionable steps to lead healthy, vibrant lives.
Digital Download + DVD
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Download + T-shirt
Digital Download of the film + exclusive, super soft 100% organic cotton T-shirt
For over a decade, Shannon has produced award-winning feature films and TV series for Discovery Channel and NatGeo. Before that, she practiced international law and was part of the legal team that prosecuted Enron. She went to film school at NYU and has a law degree from Vanderbilt.
That’s what she’s done, but not who she is.
She’s a wife, a mother, a daughter. She’s a woman who lives with severe endometriosis. In her case, that means over 20 years of debilitating pain, miscarriages, multiple surgeries and misdiagnoses.
She started thinking about how little things have changed since she first had symptoms at 16. Women still go to an average of 6-8 doctors for 8-10 years before they are diagnosed. They are still told it’s in their heads, that pregnancy and hysterectomy are cures, and that pain is normal.
She started thinking. What if there were a film to help stop this vicious cycle? A film to put power in the hands of women.
This is that film.
Hailing from Argentina, Patricio ("Pato") is a world-traveling adventurer and filmmaker. For the past decade, he's produced award-winning independent films and TV series for Discovery Channel International and NatGeo. He's currently directing the feature documentary Prudy & Albert, where he filmed for weeks in India among 100 million spiritual pilgrims. He produced and appears in the travel adventure series Sea Nation, which currently airs in over 60 countries.
Endo is a personal experience for Pato as he is Shannon's husband. He understands firsthand the experience of being a partner to someone living with the disease. On making the film, he says, "It's helped me understand both the personal nature of the disease and its pervasiveness. I've heard countless women from around the world repeat similar stories. It's incredible to me that they still have to convince not only doctors and other professionals, but their own family and friends. We're making this film to not only help empower women, but also help those around them better understand what they go through on a daily basis."
Arix's work has aired on Discovery Channel, Comedy Central, Travel Channel, and History Channel. He started working in film part time, producing and directing commercials and short documentary style educational pieces. His production company AZA Productions, focuses on commercial work and film projects. AZA represents several brands, is currently the film company for SEASIDE® FL (location of the 1998 film The Truman Show), and has several films currently in production.
When Shannon asked Arix to join the Endo What team he was hesitant at first: "I knew it was a very heavy subject matter, one that I knew nothing about." After listening to the interview footage and doing research on the disease, he realized the confusion surrounding endometriosis. "There are too many women in the world being misinformed, misdiagnosed, and mistreated. Once you learn the truth about the disease and how it's handled in the medical community, it compels you to educate others. This disease affects everyone in the world, whether we realize it or not."
Amazing news! Endo What? has been invited to screen at Gillette Stadium, home of four-time Superbowl Champs The New England Patriots at an exclusive event on Sunday, September 25th. If you’re in New England or just want to be, come & join us at this unprecedented event breaking barriers to show that endometriosis affects both women AND men. To learn more & Buy Tickets: bit.ly/ewgillette
If you live with endometriosis, chances are you’ve gotten plenty of advice from people and not all of it was helpful. Some people, despite having good intentions, tend to have opinions even though they don’t know what they’re talking about (this extends to certain members of the medical profession).
If you are a woman with endo, you have to become an expert on the subject, because so much crap gets thrown your way you have to learn how to deflect it. With that in mind & a fair deal of inspiration...
Make a difference today & become part of the solution. Here are a few ways you can help:
Make a financial contribution to the film's outreach campaign via Indiegogo. Donations are tax-deductible in the United States.
Make an in-kind donation by donating your frequent flier miles, train miles & spare bedrooms. Some of the major expenses we have are travel. We're constantly traveling as part of the outreach and continuing education program.
Become a corporate sponsor. Does your brand align with our goals of educating women, doctors and lawmakers around the world about endometriosis? We'd love to speak with you about working together to make it happen.
We'll soon be announcing how you can bring the film to your area. If you're interested in learning more, contact us and we'll be in touch!
If you have any questions about the film or scheduling a screening, please contact us or email us at info@endowhat.com.
