Caroline County commissioners on March 4 issued a proclamation declaring March 2025 Endometriosis Awareness Month and heard remarks from Shannon Hanawold, founder of Endo Warriors of the Eastern Shore.

Hanawold told the board she started the local support group after family members experienced similar symptoms and lengthy delays to diagnosis. She said endometriosis often takes about 10 years to diagnose, cannot be detected by ultrasound or CT and is confirmed by laparoscopic surgery. Hanawold described chronic pain, fatigue, infertility and associated autoimmune conditions and said she has undergone 19 surgeries for the disease.

“Endometriosis doesn’t just affect the person that has it. It affects everyone that cares about them,” Hanawold said, urging residents to mark Endo Day on March 7 by wearing yellow or displaying a yellow ribbon.

Commissioners signed the proclamation presented by Bartz and said the county has supported the recognition in prior years. The proclamation text in the meeting packet cites global and U.S. estimates and local support organizations, and was signed by J. Travis Breeding (president), Larry C. Porter (vice president) and Norman F. Marshall (commissioner). The board took no additional policy action during the presentation.

The proclamation notes an estimated 200,000,000 people worldwide are affected and states about one in 10 women have endometriosis; it also states there is no known cure and that diagnosis relies on laparoscopic surgery. The county packet identifies local support as Endo Warriors of the Eastern Shore and references national advocacy groups.