Gessie Thompson has a story to share! She has battled Fibroids for 14 years and has undergone 5 fibroid surgeries that ended in a hysterectomy just a little over 90 days ago. Gessie shares the miracle of her baby Nia and it can be summarized as follows: 10 years, 6 major surgeries, 5 IVF cycles, 1 miscarriage, her heart stopping on the operating table and a 2.5 lb. miracle baby.
You can learn more about Gessie’s story in the ESSENCE.com feature on her from their recent article naming her their #WomanEmpowermentWednesday pick of the week Gessie Thompson Shows us how to Fight with Faith, No Matter the Obstacle.
Last May, ESSENCE published a profile of “My Fertility Journey” in their Mother’s Day issue. The response to her testimony was overwhelming with over 33K women responding to it on their Facebook page and over 600 thanking her for sharing her story because it gave them HOPE that they too could overcome fibroids.
It was then that she realized if her one story could bless so many, how much more could a book full of similar victorious testimonies help breath life, health and healing to those fighting for their miracles? Thus began her journey in writing the book HOPE BEYOND FIBROIDS: Stories of Miracle Babies and the Journey to Motherhood. This simple thought has unfolded into a book of powerful testimonies showcasing God’s handiwork in defying the medical odds couples encountered conceiving, carrying and even fighting for their babies lives after birth.
In 2014, Gessie became a board member of THE WHITE DRESS PROJECT (TWDP) www.thewhitedressproject.com–a non-profit committed to raising awareness and funds for research to fight the fibroids epidemic that plagues an astronomical 80% of black women, 70% of white women and 60% of Hispanic and Asian women by age 50.
Together with Tanika Gray Valbrun, founder and fellow board member of White Dress Project they have made strides in this important women’s health battle. Last year, Georgia declared July as “Fibroids Awareness Month” and the Georgia House of Representatives Resolution 612 for a “Study Committee on Fibroids Awareness and Education” was passed and adopted in March of this year. In 2015, Florida followed suit in the declaration of July as “Fibroids Awareness Month!” And, just recently, they received notification that there was a Congressional House resolution proclaiming July Fibroids Awareness Month nationally and was introduced in the U.S. House by Congressman David Scott (GA-13)!
Also, Tanika and Gessie are both speaking together with “Real Housewives of Atlanta’s” Cynthia Bailey at ESSENCE Festival to discuss “Hope Beyond Fibroids” on Saturday, July 4th in New Orleans where she will be launching her book and a portion of the proceeds will go to TWDP to fight this pervasive women’s health issue that receives such little attention, but wreaks such devastation in women’s physical, personal, professional, financial, relational and family lives.
If you would like more information on Hope Beyond Fibroids or to get in contact with Gessie Thompson, visit her website Gessie Thompson. If you would like to read her Fertility Journey, check out her feature on Essence Online. If you happen to be in New Orleans for the Essence Festival, be sure to stop by the “Healthy Living: Hope Beyond Fibroids” Empower U Panel at the Convention Center July 4th at 3:340 pm in room 208-210 on the 2nd floor. #EssenceFest #HopeBeyondFibroids #WeCanWearWhite #WhiteDressProject #FibroidAwareness