It all started when, on December 17th, 2010, co-founder Dawn Williams started publicly advocating for endometriosis awareness in Barbados after her 2006 endometriosis diagnosis via a Facebook page- Endofacts. Dawn was also was diagnosed with adenomyosis and uterine fibroids.
In September 2014, at 26 years, co-founder Julia Mandeville was officially diagnosed with severe endometriosis . Prior to this diagnosis, for almost 15 years, she suffered monthly with crippling and debilitating pain which had negatively impacted her health-related quality of life.
The co-founders were introduced to each other in 2014 by Ramona Grandison, a mutual friend who was diagnosed with Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome. Together, the founding members and current Board members set a plan in motion and formalized the Barbados Association of Endometriosis & P.C.O.S. (B.A.E.P.) in 2016.
The B.A.E.P. is a Board of ten with an approximate membership of 30. Most of have been diagnosed with either endometriosis, PCOS, or both. To learn more about our Board members, click the images below!
It was critical to have persons on our Board who would be able to advise and assist in creating a holistic approach to managing and treating these conditions.
Thus, the B.A.E.P has a medical advisor Dr Nicole Durham, a physiotherapist who specializes in pelvic health physiotherapy- Jasmine Evelyn and a Registered Counselling Psychologist who is also a certified nutritionist- Vania Patrick-Drakes.