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In this Issue

• From the Desk of Kim McCleary
• Don't Miss the Fantastic Media Coverage of CFS
• Mark Your Calendars for Lobby Day 2007
• CFS Advisory Committee Report
• Research on CFS and Working Memory
• Treatment FYI: Clinical Care for CFS
• My Cause Profile: Barbara Tobias
• Sacramento CFS Seminar Drew Record Crowd
• Gift Ideas from Our Online Store
• Holiday Tips from a CFS Survivor
• Personal Story: Matt Matherne

From the Desk of Kim McCleary

With the huge emphasis we've put on the public awareness campaign in recent months, it's easy to lose sight of the many other ways the Association serves and supports the CFIDS community. Association president and CEO Kim McCleary shares our "Top 10" milestones from the past year.

See http://www.cfids.org/cfidslink/2006/dec-ftdo.asp

Don't Miss the Fantastic Media Coverage of CFS

The press conference held November 3 has generated an incredible number of stories about the public awareness campaign and about CFS in national, state and local media outlets. The CFIDS Association has provided you with links to many of these stories on our campaign website. We encourage you to visit the site and click on the links, not only to follow the news coverage, but to encourage these media outlets to do more stories about CFS. Read on to find out how.

See http://www.cfids.org/cfidslink/2006/pac5.asp

Mark Your Calendars for Lobby Day 2007

With at least 51 new members of Congress and more news than ever to share about CFS, Lobby Day 2007, on May 14 and 15, promises to be one of the most exciting yet. Here's how you can be part of the process.

See http://www.cfids.org/advocacy/2006/gac_111606a.asp

CFS Advisory Committee Report

The Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Advisory Committee (CFSAC) to the department of Health of Human Services held its eleventh meeting November 20 and 21 in Washington, DC. Government agencies—from the CDC to the FDA—reported on CFS-related issues and members of the CFS community and others shared information and concerns on public policy. Here's a rundown of what transpired.

See http://www.cfids.org/advocacy/cfsac-nov06.asp

Research on CFS and Working Memory

A recently published study using functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) of the brain found that CFS patients do not engage working memory in the same way as healthy control subjects do.

See http://www.cfids.org/cfidslink/2006/fmri.asp

Treatment FYI: Clinical Care for CFS

CFS can be challenging to treat, but a variety of treatment strategies exist. In this article from the 2005-2006 Special Issue of the CFIDS Chronicle, seven top CFS clinicians share their approach to helping patients with the illness. We offer it here as a PDF you can easily print and save or give to your physician. Plus, look for a follow-up article with input from these same clinicians in the winter issue of the CFIDS Chronicle in February 2007.

See http://www.cfids.org/cfidslink/2006/treatment.pdf

My Cause Profile: Barbara Tobias

Here's the story of how one woman went from feeling helpless to leading a strong charge in the fight against CFS—all by using a simple but powerful online tool. You could be next to follow in her footsteps!

See http://www.cfids.org/cfidslink/2006/mycause2.asp

Sacramento CFS Seminar Drew Record Crowd

The Association held its fourth CFS Education and Empowerment seminar in Sacramento, California on October 28, drawing the largest audience to date. The seminar featured respected CFS experts Dr. Leonard Jason of DePaul University and Dr. Charles Lapp of the Hunter-Hopkins Clinic in Charlotte, North Carolina.

See http://www.cfids.org/cfidslink/2006/sacramento2.asp

Gift Ideas from Our Online Store

Merchandise and educational materials from the CFIDS Association make a powerful statement, and an appreciated gift! Give someone you care about one of our great-looking t-shirts promoting CFS awareness or a copy of our brand new DVD with complete coverage of the national CFS press conference, recent major media stories and more. Your purchase will help the Association in the fight against CFS. Visit our online store today.

See http://www.cfids.org/ecommerce/product_info.asp

Holiday Tips from a CFS Survivor

Elizabeth Skoglund, an author and a marriage and family counselor, shares her insight on how to manage your holiday expectations and activities this season.

See http://www.cfids.org/cfidslink/2006/tips.asp

Personal Story: Matthew Matherne

Matt Matherne served in the military during Vietnam and the first Gulf War. Unfortunately, his battle with Gulf War Syndrome and CFS has left many casualties in its path, including his career, his good spirits and perhaps even his family life. Still he soldiers on.

See http://www.cfids.org/cfidslink/2006/matthew.asp