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In this Issue
May 2006
CFIDSLink Electronic Newsletter  

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


In this Issue

  • CDC Research Gains Media Coverage
  • The CFS Public Awareness Campaign Is About to Ignite
  • CFS Advisory Committee Report
  • Special Series: The Biology of Stress – Part 1
  • Author with CFS Wins Literary Award
  • Association FYI
    • Virtual Lobby Day
    • kNOw MORE CFS Seminar this Month
    • Planned Giving
  • Bulletin Board Notices

CDC Research Gains Media Coverage

On April 20, the CDC released results of a sophisticated analysis of data from the largest clinical CFS study to date. The CFS Computational Challenge, an innovative research initiative—conceived by the CDC's Dr. Suzanne Vernon—brought together teams of experts in medicine, molecular biology, epidemiology, genomics and mathematics to examine data collected from 227 CFS patients who underwent two days of detailed clinical evaluations. The research strongly suggests that specific genes and gene activity play a role in CFS, making some people more susceptible to the illness. Fourteen papers from the challenge appear in the April issue of the journal Pharmacogenomics.

Not surprisingly, media coverage of the results is appearing in newspapers and magazines nationwide. Here is a brief explanation of the study and pointers to some of the stories in the media http://www.cfids.org/cfidslink/2006/c3.asp.

The CFS Public Awareness Campaign Is About to Ignite

The first national CFS public awareness campaign in the United States is about to launch on June 7. The kickoff event at the national press club will introduce the campaign and its television, radio, print and web ads, as well as a national traveling photo exhibit, "The Faces of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome." So what can you do to help spark awareness of CFS and spread the campaign's message like wildfire?

Read on for ways you can be part of the success at http://www.cfids.org/cfidslink/2006/spark.asp. 

CFS Advisory Committee Meeting Report

The CFS Advisory Committee to the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) met on Monday, April 24, 2006 to brief five new committee members, review the status of the Department's response to prior recommendations, hear reports from federal agencies and receive testimony from members of the public.

Here's a report of what transpired at the meeting http://www.cfids.org/advocacy/2006/gac_042506.asp.

Special Series: The Biology of Stress

The CFIDS Chronicle, the Association's print companion to the CFIDSLink, has just begun a yearlong series on "The Biology of Stress" — exploring the physical impact of prolonged stress on the body's various systems. As a special feature to CFIDSLink subscribers, the editors are pleased to kick off this 4-part series in both the Chronicle and the CFIDSLink.

The first installment in the series explains how accumulated stress (called allostatic load) from injury, illness and other traumas can impair many of the body's systems. Allostatic load is clinically measurable and the consequences are manifested in physical terms. This moves the discussion of stress from the mind squarely to the body.

Read "The Biology of Stress: Part 1" at http://www.cfids.org/cfidslink/2006/stress1.pdf. Subsequent installments will appear in the next three issues of the CFIDS Chronicle.

Visit http://www.cfids.org/archives/chronicle-issues.asp to learn more about the CFIDS Chronicle and how to become a subscriber.

Author with CFS Wins Literary Award

Floyd Skloot's writing has won many awards over the years, from the 2004 PEN Center USA Literary Award in Creative Nonfiction to two appearances in The Best American Essays, The Best American Science Writing, The Best Spiritual Writing and The Art of the Essay. His most recent collection of poems explores illness and its impact on lives, art and career.

Learn about Floyd's latest literary accomplishments
(and upcoming novel) at http://www.cfids.org/cfidslink/2006/skloot.asp.

Association FYI

  • Join Us for Lobby Day without Leaving Home
    85 advocates from across the country will be in Washington, DC on Tuesday, May 9 meeting with their members of Congress to help educate them about CFS and the serious impact the illness has on the individual, the family and the nation.

    We'll also be holding a Virtual Lobby Day. We urge you to take part and strengthen our call for a more vigorous response to CFS by the federal government. We'll make it easy for you to participate and for your voice to be heard. Watch your email inbox next Monday for details!
  • CFS Seminar in Akron, Ohio
    The CFIDS Association invites you to its third CFS Education and Empowerment Seminar to be held at the John S. Knight Center in Akron, Ohio on Saturday, May 20. Respected CFS researcher, clinician and advocate, David Bell, MD will discuss the clinical aspects of CFS and Pat Fennell, MSW, LCSW-R will present her internationally recognized four phase treatment approach to CFS and FM.

    Tickets are $20 in advance and $25 at the door. Call 704-364-0466 or purchase your ticket online at http://www.cfids.org/ecommerce/products.asp?setCategory=6.
  • Explore Planned Giving
    If you are interested in learning how to make a planned gift to the CFIDS Association, request a copy of our publication, A Guide to Giving. This brochure is designed to provide information on the many ways in which you can support efforts to end CFS during your lifetime and through your estate. Send an email with your postal mailing address to development@cfids.org, subject line Guide to Giving, or visit http://www.cfids.org/support/donations.asp.

Bulletin Board Notices

Visit http://www.cfids.org/community/bulletin-board.asp for up-to-date news and happenings within the CFIDS community.