Lupita Nyong'o Advocates for Fibroid Research and Awareness

Lupita Nyong'o, who won an Oscar in 2014 for her role in '12 Years a Slave,' has become a prominent advocate for fibroid research and awareness after being diagnosed with over 30 fibroids that year. She initially faced dismissal from her doctor but persisted, highlighting a systemic issue where women's pain is normalized. Nyong'o partnered with Senator Angela Alsobrooks (D-MD) to push for federal funding through the U-FIGHT Act, introduced with Senator Cynthia Lummis (R-WY) and Congresswoman Shontel Brown. The legislation aims to boost research funding, improve early detection, and address disparities, as fibroids affect 80% of women by age 50, with Black women disproportionately impacted. Only 0.03% of research dollars go to fibroid studies. Nyong'o also launched the Making Fibroids Count campaign via the Foundation for Women's Health to fund less invasive treatments. She and Alsobrooks were honored by The White Dress Project during Fibroid Awareness Month in July. Nyong'o emphasizes the need to reframe conversations about pain and improve medical responses, stating that the system often requires women to reach desperation before being taken seriously.