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In this Issue
November 2006
CFIDSLink Electronic Newsletter

CFIDSLink is e-mailed monthly 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
  • CDC and Press Validate CFS!
  • Satellite Media Tour Contributes to Press Coverage
  • FYI on Recent Drug Trials
  • Limited Studies of Early-Life Stress
  • Association Introduces New Online Initiative
  • Why Give . . .
  • See Campaign Ad in People Magazine
  • Personal Story: Allison Futterman

From the Desk of Kim McCleary
The November 6 press conference at the National Press Club—with the nation's leading health officials and CFS medical authorities addressing the validity and seriousness of CFS—brought together years of advocacy, education and research efforts by the CFIDS Association. Association president and CEO Kim McCleary recollects where it all began for her.
See http://www.cfids.org/cfidslink/2006/nov-ftdo.asp

CDC and Press Validate CFS!
The long-awaited and much-anticipated press conference announcing the national awareness campaign for chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) was worth waiting for—both because of the event itself and the incredible stories the event has generated in broadcast, print and online media. Read all about the press event and the resulting media coverage, which redefines CFS as a real, biological illness. While this is not news to the CFS community, it’s clearly big news to the rest of the country!
See http://www.cfids.org/cfidslink/2006/press-coverage.asp

Satellite Media Tour Contributes to Press Coverage
A satellite media tour held November 3 before the campaign press conference featured more than a dozen live and taped interviews about chronic fatigue syndrome and the campaign, as well as a "generic" interview that could be picked up by dozens more stations. This was just one component that contributed to the phenomenal success of the press event.
See http://www.cfids.org/cfidslink/2006/media-tour.asp

FYI on Recent Drug Trials
To date, there is no known cure for chronic fatigue syndrome, but medications to treat the illness are being studied, with varying results. Here are some highlights from recent CFS-related trials of drugs already on the market for other disorders.
See http://www.cfids.org/cfidslink/2006/drug-trials.asp

Limited Studies of Early-Life Stress Put in Context
Two studies published in the November 6, 2006, issue of the Archives of General Psychiatry associate trauma in early life with CFS and CFS-like illness. However, each study has important limitations to consider and the authors' conclusions should not be overgeneralized.
See http://www.cfids.org/cfidslink/2006/stress.asp

Association Introduces New Online Initiative
If you've been looking for a new way to tell people, "CFS is my cause," then get ready to try a new online innovation . . . My Cause!
See http://www.cfids.org/cfidslink/2006/mycause.asp

Why Give . . .
Give because more than one million Americans suffer from CFS. Give because CFS has affected you personally, as a patient or a parent, as a caregiver or a colleague, as a spouse, friend, family member or advocate. Give because you care.

The CFIDS Association works hard, every day, to make a difference for people with CFS and those who love them. And our efforts to advance CFS research, improve patient care and deepen understanding of this devastating illness are supported by generous people like you.

Please give because it's time to end the disability, suffering and torment caused by CFS, once and for all. Visit http://www.cfids.org/ecommerce/donations.asp and make your gift today.

See Campaign Ad in People Magazine
The November 13 issue of People features the print ad we created, together with ad agency GMMB, for the CFS public awareness campaign. This issue is on newsstands now. The ad appears opposite page 136. This full-page color print ad depicting the impact of CFS and educating people about its symptoms began appearing in selected national magazines this summer. It ran in the July and August 2006 issues of Ladies' Home Journal and Better Homes and Gardens and will appear again in magazines in 2007.

Personal Story: Allison Futterman
CFS struck Allison Futterman from out of the blue during her first week at a new and lucrative job. The next five years saw her health spiral and all aspects of her life change dramatically. She shares her story and her perspective.
See http://www.cfids.org/cfidslink/2006/allison.asp