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In this Issue
August 2006
CFIDSLink Electronic Newsletter

CFIDSLink is e-mailed monthly free of charge to all those interested. To sign up for the electronic newsletter visit http://www.cfids.org/subscribe.asp.

 In this Issue

  • From the Desk of Kim McCleary
  • CFS Advisory Committee Report from Capitol Hill
  • Senate Directs Agencies to Expand CFS Programs
  • CFS Articles in Oprah and Ms. Magazines
  • Research into Lipid Replacement Therapy for CFS
  • Photo Exhibit at Mall of America!
  • Show Your Support for CFS Awareness!
  • The CFIDS Association Serves in Many Ways
  • Unapproved Lyme Disease Drug May Cause Poisoning
  • Personal Story: Jody Cope (and Friends)

From the Desk of Kim McCleary
CFIDS Association President Kim McCleary shares her reflections on the positive language about CFS that made it into the current Senate appropriations bill and what to do to help protect it as the budget process progresses. See http://www.cfids.org/cfidslink/2006/august-ftdo.asp. 

CFS Advisory Committee Report from Capitol Hill
The CFS Advisory Committee (CFSAC) to the Secretary of Health met July 17 on Capitol Hill with Assistant Secretary of Health Admiral John Agwunobi in attendance. Representatives from the National Institutes for Health (NIH), Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and other key agencies were all on hand for the meeting. Here's a report: http://www.cfids.org/advocacy/2006/gac_072006.asp.  

Senate Directs Agencies to Expand CFS Programs
The Senate Labor/Health and Human Services Education spending bill includes significant support for expansion of CFS programs at NIH and CDC and other agencies. Learn more and review a copy of the CFS-specific language at http://www.cfids.org/advocacy/2006/gac_072606.asp.

CFS Articles in Oprah and Ms. Magazines
Two popular national magazines are each running stories on CFS in their summer issues. The results will reach tens of thousands of readers from a broad spectrum of backgrounds. Learn more at http://www.cfids.org/cfidslink/2006/cfs-articles.asp.

Research into Lipid Replacement Therapy for CFS
In recent clinical studies, lipid replacement therapy (LRT) combined with antioxidants appeared to reduce fatigue levels and improve mitochondrial function in subjects with CFS and other fatiguing illnesses. http://www.cfids.org/cfidslink/2006/lipid.asp.  

Photo Exhibit at Mall of America!
The Spark CFS Awareness photo exhibit, "The Faces of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome," will make its national debut at the Mall of America in Minneapolis from August 6-15. Mall officials estimate that more than one million people will visit the mall during the 10-day period that the exhibit is on display. If you're in the area, come see the exhibit for yourself, located on the first floor of the mall in the Macy's Court! It's free and open to the public.

Visit http://www.cfids.org/sparkcfs/photo.asp for more details about the exhibit.

Show Your Support for CFS Awareness!
An exclusive line of "Spark CFS Awareness" gifts and apparel is now available! You can help raise CFS awareness by wearing the campaign logo on your arm, your back or your car. Proceeds support the CFIDS Associations' efforts to end CFS. Check out the goods at http://www.cfids.org/cfidslink/2006/spark2.asp.

The CFIDS Association Serves in Many Ways
Much about the CFIDS Association has changed since 1987 when "headquarters" was an extra room above the founder's garage. Yet we're still driven by the same vision — conquering CFS. To learn more about the Association, our efforts to speed progress toward improved health for people with CFS and the resources available through our organization, read on at http://www.cfids.org/cfidslink/2006/services.asp.

Unapproved Lyme Disease Drug May Cause Poisoning
Medscape, a division of WebMD for medical professionals, recently reported that the FDA is warning consumers and health care providers about risks associated with the use of bismacine injection (also known as chromacine), a substance that has been used to treat Lyme disease. Here is the report: http://www.cfids.org/cfidslink/2006/lyme.asp.  

Personal Story: Jody Cope (and Friends)
Jody Cope has lived with CFS for years. Confined to her apartment most of the time, she longed for some companionship. Then, one morning, her wish was granted in an unexpected way. Read her story at http://www.cfids.org/cfidslink/2006/jody.asp.