Jane spent most of last Friday Going Blue for M.E. – having her 26-inch-long hair dyed blue in readiness for ME Awareness Week (Monday 7th to Sunday 13th May) – and we followed her progress online.
She writes, “I have done this in aid of the ME Association who do a vital job raising awareness of M.E. and supporting those with the condition (blue is the internationally accepted ‘colour of ME’).
“Since I was first diagnosed, they have been my first stop for information about the disease that stole so much of my life.
“I have had ME for 14 years, and the need for raising awareness about this debilitating illness is sadly as great as ever.
“Unless you have, or know someone with, M.E. a trip to the hairdresser may not sound like much of a challenge.
“Especially not to someone who the last time she raised money for charity, trekked 100km across Iceland! But thanks to M.E., sitting up for 5 solid hours, contending with the bright light, constant sound and scents of the hairdresser’s, is now every bit as much of a challenge for me as that mountain trek was.
‘Cinderella' illness
“If any of you feel able to support me in this, I would be truly grateful.
“It’s so important that people understand how debilitating this ‘Cinderella’ illness is – and how much it takes away from us.”
Helen Hyland, fundraising manager for the ME Association, says:
“Thank you Jane for kicking off the week in such style. And thanks too, for all you are doing to raise awareness in ME Awareness Week.”
This special week promises to involve more people than ever before – every person desperate to raise awareness of this cruel and misunderstood disease.
We’ll aim to get photographs published of all the ME Association fundraising events that are happening (see ME Awareness Week Events Guide) – just as soon as we can.
The ME Association
We help people with M.E. and their families.
If you would like show your support for our vital work then please donate whatever you can afford to our ME Awareness Week Just Giving campaign – Go BLUE for ME.
Help us continue to make the UK a better place for people with M.E.
Thank you.