NEW YORK – January 28, 2021 - Today, the Endometriosis Foundation of America (EndoFound) and New York State Senator Sue Serino (41st Senate District) distributed essential menstrual hygiene products to residents in Poughkeepsie, NY, as part of EndoFound’s PeriodNow program.
“We’re living through very difficult times. Some more so than others. No one should go without basic menstrual hygiene necessities, and that is why I’m proud to be working with PeriodNow,” said PeriodNow spokesperson Diana Falzone.
In a 2019 study reported in PubMed.gov, nearly half of those (46%) in the study could not afford to buy both food and menstrual hygiene products during the past year. Many are forced to use cloth, rags, socks, tissues, or toilet paper; some even use children’s diapers or paper towels taken from public bathrooms. In addition, lack of access to menstrual health products among young women leads to 12.7% missing school, 15.01% being late to school, and 23.91% leaving school early for the day.
“Countless Hudson Valley residents had their lives completely upended by the COVID-19 pandemic and the last thing women should have to worry about during this time is how they will afford essential feminine hygiene products,” said Senator Sue Serino. “I’m so grateful to the EndoFound not only for securing these products, but for all the work they do to empower girls and women here in our community and beyond. Together, we can ensure that no woman is ever held back by lack of access to these critical necessities.”
“It’s heartbreaking thinking about these women not having access to such a basic necessity,” said EndoFound Executive Director Margaret Caspler Cianci. “Thank you to Senator Serino and County Executive Molinaro for helping us to get these products to those who need them most. Together we are committed to being part of the solution.”
Senator Serino, along with Assembly member Linda B. Rosenthal (District 67) successfully introduced legislation that repealed the tampon tax in New York State in 2016, and in 2019 they teamed up again to successfully amend New York State’s public health law to provide school-aged young women with educational resources concerning menstrual disorders, including endometriosis.
Serino made product deliveries to Grace Smith House, a non-profit domestic violence agency serving residents of Dutchess County, and to Family Services of Dutchess County. PeriodNow partner Period.org donated the product and Habitat for Humanity of Dutchess County facilitated getting the product to the locations.
To become a sponsor or donate to PeriodNow visit https://www.endofound.org/periodnow/donation. For more information on receiving supplies, reach out to info@endofound.org or call 212-988-4160.
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About EndoFound:
The Endometriosis Foundation of America (EndoFound) was co-founded by Padma Lakshmi and Tamer Seckin, MD. in 2009. It strives to increase disease recognition, provide advocacy, facilitate expert surgical training, and fund landmark endometriosis research. Engaged in a robust campaign to inform both the medical community and the public, EndoFound places particular emphasis on the critical importance of early diagnosis and effective intervention while simultaneously providing education to the next generation of medical professionals and their patients.
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Media Contact:
Lauren Peteroy Kelly, Scenario PR
Jeanne Rebillard, EndoFound
