ME Awareness Week starts tomorrow, Monday 9th May, and continues through to a fantastic finale on Sunday, 15th May. During the week, we will be asking you to make frequent use of the hashtag #JustOneWish.
It's the thirtieth anniversary of the event and – with Long Covid rampant round the world – the number of people being diagnosed with ME/CFS is growing exponentially day-by-day.
There are said to be 1.7m people in the UK alone who, months after being infected, still have symptoms of Long Covid – which in so many respects looks just like ME/CFS.
Please do something to help the ME Association meet the challenge of supporting these ever-growing numbers now and in the years ahead.
It's not too late to organise your own fundraiser to support us during ME Awareness Week. Download this little leaflet which has lots of ideas for easy-to-arrange fundraising events.
Or join in the stunning annual finale on 15th May – Anna Redshaw's annual Blue Sunday Tea Party which has raised £40,000 for the MEA since it started some years ago.
If you've got the energy, have a cuppa and spoil yourself with slice of cake at the same time as Anna. Sign into the party here . Remember to take photos of yourself and share them on your own social media.
Use the hashtag #JustOneWish whenever you can during the week.
The wish is what we have all been crying out for over the years – safe and effective treatments that make people with ME/CFS better.
With our links into the research community, the ME Association is well placed to generate funds that leverage new and promising biomedical research.
In the run-up to the week, we shall be highlighting lots of exciting fundraising going on all round the UK and putting up reminders about the big job of raising awareness of ME/CFS that still remains to be done.
This is your week. It's also the best time of the year to show that you are proud of your achievements and tell the world you're not yet prepared to be forgotten. Please make use of it.
Tony Britton
Senior Fundraising Consultant, The ME Association
tony.britton@meassociation.org.uk Mob: 07393 805566