Miles for Change: My July Journey for Women's Health
Publication date:
This July marks Uterine Fibroids Awareness Month, and I'm spending my birthday – on the 11th – and throughout the month - doing something a little different - running, walking, and jogging 5k throughout the month to raise awareness for women's health, in partnership with We Are Black Journos as part of their Miles for Change campaign.
This isn't just a fitness challenge for me. Issues like fibroids are something many women I know have been personally affected by, and it's added to an experience that's shaped how seriously I take conversations around women's health and how quietly many of us have had to carry such trauma alone.
That's really the heart of why I'm doing this. We have our own stories - fibroids, endometriosis, PCOS, the heartbreak of miscarriage - and so often these conditions are dealt with in silence. Every mile this month is dedicated to them as much as it is to me.
I work in the Communications department at Ravensbourne University London, and I want to link this journey to that too. Being surrounded by so many brilliant, resilient women in my day-to-day work has been a huge source of inspiration. Positive female representation isn't just a nice idea to me - I see it in action every day, and it's part of what pushes me to keep going, one kilometre at a time.
We can't always eradicate every case of fibroids, endometriosis, or PCOS. But we can help ourselves and each other by catching things early, understanding our bodies, and refusing to let these conditions get worse through silence or lack of information. Education is key, and this month is a chance for all of us to get informed, ask questions, and check in on our health.
Follow the Journey
I'll be sharing updates throughout July as the miles add up. To follow along and stay in the loop this month, follow the journey via We Are Black Journos:
🔗 weareblackjournos.org/miles-for-change-celebrating-with-a-purpose-this-july
Here's to a month of movement, awareness, and honest conversations about our health.
Thank you in advance for the support,
Hannah Ajala
