RETURN TO TABLE OF CONTENTS
Summer 2003 

Association News
Activities and opportunities from TheCFIDS Association of America

Annual report available
Last year was arguably the most difficult in a decade for The CFIDS Association of America. At a time when the organization found itself stronger and more capable than ever to advance its mission of conquering CFIDS, the weakened economy and national uncertainty hit the Association hard. Across the charitable sector, donors reflected the mood; they made smaller gifts and sometimes postponed planned gifts and annual contributions.

We are grateful, however, that many of our supporters continued to make the Association one of their top philanthropic priorities.

As you review the pages of the 2002 Annual Report, we hope you will share our enthusiasm about what we accomplished in a year when we were tested to do more with less. We will move forward buoyed by the potential we have to bring remarkable progress to people with CFIDS. For a copy call 704-365-2343 or read it online at http://www.cfids.org/about/2002-ar.pdf.

Web site has new look
On June 30th the Association launched its newly redesigned Web site. The revised site has added a special section for medical professionals as well as a new community area for patients seeking support and other resources. Please visit www.cfids.org and send your comments to webmaster@cfids.org.

“Seabiscuit” hats and shirts available
Visit http://www.horsehats.com/seabiscuit-cfids.html and purchase a “Seabiscuit” hat or sweatshirt to commemorate the release of the movie. A portion of the purchase price of each item sold will go to the Association to help support our efforts in CFIDS education, public policy and research. The Association would like to extend special thanks to HorseHats owner, Dave Williams, for his generosity and interest in CFIDS.

CAA joins Congress on Women’s Health
The Association joined the 11th Annual Congress on Women’s Health as a collaborating organization. The Congress, presented by the Journal of Women’s Health and held May 31–June 3 in Hilton Head, S.C., allowed the Association an opportunity to introduce itself as a source of timely and pertinent information on CFIDS to a national audience of physicians, nurses and leaders in the field of women’s health.

Other collaborating organizations included the Arthritis Foundation, The Lupus Foundation of America and the National Women’s Health Resource Center.

Meetings on the Hill
On May 13–14, Leah Moseley, public relations coordinator for the Association, and Mary Beth Buchholz of The Sheridan Group met in Washington with freshman members of Congress and key appropriators of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services, Education and Related Agencies. A total of

10 meetings were held to discuss CFIDS and federal agency response from the National Institutes of Health, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Department of Health and Human Services.

Offices visited included Senator John Ensign, R-Nev.; Rep. Kendrick Meek, D-Fla.; Rep. Ernest Istook, R-Okla.; Sen. Elizabeth Dole, R-N.C.; and Rep. Bill Young, R-Fla..

On September 17-18, CFIDS advocates from across the country will unite to meet with representatives on the Hill to again discuss CFIDS and how the illness has impacted their lives. There’s still time to join us for Lobby Day. For more information, visit the Association Web site at http://www.cfids.org/advocacy/lobby-day.asp, or call the Association’s Resource Line at 704-365-2343.