Tamer Seckin
Welcome to New York. My name is Tamer Seckin and on behalf of Endometriosis Foundation of America I welcome you to our first Endofound Medical Conference, Advancing the Art and Science of Endometriosis from stem cells to radical excision surgery.
I’m so happy that I see familiar faces here. You all came from very, very far away. I know people who came from Brazil, from Puerto Rico, from Stanford, London, and since I’m from Brooklyn, from outer boroughs of Brooklyn people came here too and many doctors, many patients, this shows that how much you care. I congratulate you and I’m very, very happy to be here with you.
Today we are all one here for one reason and that is for endometriosis. According to the latest numbers, close to somewhere between 170 to 180 million people in the world, and in America anywhere between 8 to 10 million suffer from this disease. It is the number one cause for infertility, number one cause for pain, major cause for hysterectomy, and major cause for women for being misdiagnosed, mistreated, and 10 years of late diagnosis with suffering and agony.
We name today's session Stem Cells without discrediting the old theories. Stem Cell science brings a deeper explanation and understanding to this disease. We included wide radical excision because good quality surgery happens to be the treatment that works best for these patients.
We're honored to have all of you here again and on this purpose to advance the dialogue in discovery, care and treatment of women from endometriosis. I think we cannot do it alone. We need physicians, scientists, academia and advocates like you to continue to work together. With further education and awareness we can give care, relief and hope to so many millions of women in need.
