The Endometriosis Foundation of America (EFA) was created to bring awareness of the disease to the general public and to help find a cure. Seven years after its inception, the Endometriosis Foundation of America is a major player in the medical field.

College-educated and cosmopolitan with plenty of access to specialized doctors, Padma Lakshmi had never heard of endometriosis until she was diagnosed.

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The Emmy-nominated actress, food expert, award-winning author, and host of the television show Top Chef partnered with the doctor who saved her, Dr. Tamer Seckin, to start the Endometriosis Foundation of America in 2009.

Classified as a non-profit organization, EFA is determined to fight the disease through advocacy, targeted research, education, and increasing awareness.

“The Endometriosis Foundation of America strives to increase disease recognition, provide advocacy, facilitate expert surgical training, and fund landmark endometriosis research,” according to the organization’s website.

“Engaged in a robust campaign to inform both the medical community and the public, the EFA 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.”

The work of the Endometriosis Foundation of America is supported by grants and tax-deductible donations.

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