In addition to ‘Going Blue' the MEA is involved in a wide range of other activities which are designed to increase awareness and highlight the need for serious biomedical research into ME/CFS.
Here are just some of them:
* The launch of our Early and Accurate Diagnosis campaign with new literature for both patients (already inserted into May ME Essential magazine which is out this week) and health professionals, as well as an on-line CPD learning module (in preparation) for doctors.
* Showing the film ‘Forgotten Plague' to a meeting at the John Radcliffe (teaching) Hospital in Oxford on May 10 followed by a short lecture on mitochondrial research by Dr Karl Morten.
The screening and talk will take place in Lecture Theatre One, Academic Centre, John Radcliffe Hospital, Headley Way, Oxford OX3 9BU at 6.30pm. A £3 donation to help defray the costs will be welcomed. Parking is available on the hospital site: £2.80 for 1-2 hours and free after 8pm. For more information, please email forgottenplagueoxford@gmail.com or phone 01844 338 208.
* A ‘drop in' meeting for the APPG on ME at Westminster on May 11 where we hope to be able to bring in new MPs. All the main charities will have a display stand/table and representatives available to talk to MPs.
* Opening up the UK ME.CFS Biobank at the London School for Hygiene and Tropical Medicine/Royal Free Hospital for the release of blood samples on May 12. The ME Association's Ramsay Research Fund will be funding this work for the next two years.
* I'll be giving a presentation on '10 Key Aspects of Management' to a public meeting in Sussex on May 14. Dr Amolak Bansal will also be there – speaking about ME/CFS research at this meeting.
This meeting – being organised by reMEmber – will be held in The Sheldrake Suite, The Martlets Hall, Civic Way, Burgess Hill, West Sussex RH15 9NN at 2pm. Entry by ticket costing £3, inc refreshments. For more information, please email reMEmber at me_cfs@hotmail.com
* A fully updated and enlarged (approx 5000 words – as it is packed with information on all aspects of severe ME) MEA information booklet covering severe ME – which I am working on.
Dr Charles Shepherd
Hon Medical Adviser, ME Association