Endometriosis New Zealand Board Chair Felicity Evans is taking on the 120 Challenge with her family by hand making 120 wheat bags to provide comfort and relief for those suffering from the symptoms of endometriosis.
Heat therapy is one of the most commonly used tools for managing endometriosis pain and the Evans’ family handmade wheat bags will provide comfort on the days when symptoms are severe.
Once completed, the wheat bags will be donated to Endometriosis New Zealand and distributed back into the community through care and wellbeing packs, shared with schools and community organisations, and given to fellow 120 Challenge participants in recognition of their fundraising and advocacy efforts.
A family’s endometriosis journey
Felicity’s motivation for the challenge is deeply personal.
Her family has witnessed first-hand the impact endometriosis can have through her daughter, Izzy, who was diagnosed at just 17, thankfully earlier than many with the condition but after already enduring intense symptoms.
“We are a family who has seen the pain and hardship endo can bring through our daughter,” Felicity says. “This fundraiser is an opportunity to give back to the community who helped us better understand and deal with what Izzy endures every day.”
For Felicity, crafting the wheat bags is about providing something tangible and useful when pain strikes.
“We’re hand-crafting 120 wheat packs for high-pain days when things can be really tough.”
Heat packs are often used to ease pelvic pain and muscle tension, offering gentle and soothing relief for many with endometriosis.
The call went out for patchwork quilting fabric, and the Evans family have been supported by a number of quilter whanau throughout Aotearoa including: Kapiti Coast Quilters, Carol Green & Venice Langrope from Blenheim, and the Tuesday Stitching Group from Masterton.
Felicity’s 120 Challenge is also supported by her local community with Bin Inn Masterton providing the wheat at cost and Simply Quilting for the use of their venue and generous supply of cotton.
120 Challenge – promoting your stories and turning them into action
Endometriosis affects an estimated 120,000 people in Aotearoa New Zealand, yet awareness, diagnosis, and access to effective treatment pathways remain ongoing challenges.
Through the 120 Challenge, individuals and groups across the country are committing to doing something ‘120-themed’ from physical challenges, such as running 120km, to creative projects, like Felicity’s. The goal is to raise the funds necessary to help support those living with endometriosis in Aotearoa.
“If you or someone you know is among the 120,000 New Zealanders living with endo, please consider donating,” Felicity says. “Your support allows Endometriosis New Zealand to conduct research, provide up-to-date information, advocate for better care, and directly support those in need.”
How You Can Get Involved
You can donate to ‘Team Evans’ at here or any of our other amazing ‘Challengers’ at here.
If you want to take on a challenge yourself then the 120 Challenge is open to everyone and every effort helps support people living with endometriosis across New Zealand.
