Tell Your Story

Get Engaged!

No, we speak not of wedding bells, but of involvement in the CFIDS Association’s ongoing advocacy efforts.

With International CFIDS/CFS/ME Awareness Day coming up May 12, and the CFIDS Association of America’s Lobby Day on May 15, you have golden opportunities to make your voice heard on Capitol Hill and to spread the word about CFS.

Few of us can actually go in person to Washington, D.C., but there are still easy and effective ways you and your friends can take part in this effort online.

Step A. If you haven’t done so already, use our popular “MyCause” site to create your own web page to tell your story. MyCause is similar to the online phenomenon MySpace, except it relates to the issue of CFS. Since MyCause was launched last fall, 185 people have shared their stories and raised over $31,000 for the CFIDS Association through their MyCause pages.

To get started, go to our home page, www.cfids.org, and click on “MyCause.” Then follow the simple instructions to set up your own CFS web page. We’ve provided some cool sample graphics and text, but you’re welcome to craft your own. Remember: It’s your page!

Step B. On “My Cause,” we have created special Awareness Day templates for you to use in contacting family and friends about ways they might support efforts to conquer CFS. One template asks them to engage in our Virtual Lobby Day (beginning on May 11) and another suggests a gift to the Association in recognition of Awareness Day activities occurring worldwide. You can use the messages as is, or customize them for your own situation. You can also decide which message to send to whom, enabling you to determine who might best respond to either request. MyCause makes it easy.

MyCause was designed as a way for people with Internet access to mobilize their friends to understand and support the cause of conquering CFS. And with Awareness Day on May 12 and Lobby Day on May 15, what better time to tell your story and invite your network of friends, family and associates to join the effort.
 
There is power in numbers. Members of Congress do respond to constituents, especially if they’re receiving the same message from many citizens at the same time. Friends and associates can learn more and get involved in the cause.

Remember: The more people around the nation who make their voices heard, the more compelling our message becomes.

Thank you for harnessing the power of the Internet to support our cause!