4 February 2011
A summary of recent M.E. related stories in the news. Headlines appearing in the media as dated.
M.E. abnormalities that couldn’t be faked
Barbara Kell, who has M.E., talks about living with the illness, and says that friends and family don’t realise how serious it is. Professor Julia Newton says the illness features abnormalities that couldn’t possibly be faked, including differences in the way the hearts and brains of people with M.E. work. She and her colleagues at Newcastle University will be bidding for a share of the £1.5 million funding just announced for M.E. research. Ian Swales MP says there’s a strong case for investing even more money to discover the cause of M.E.
BBC One, Look North
02/02/11
What it’s really like
Jan Laverick, who is bedbound with M.E., allows the cameras into her bedroom to see what it’s like to live with M.E. Jennifer Elliot, M.E. North East, says more biomedical research into the cause of M.E. is needed, starting with the £1.5 million pledged by the Medical Research Council.
ITV Tyne Tees, North East Tonight
02/02/11
Biobank fundraiser: Ed’s Amazon adventure
Ex-soldier Ed Stafford talks about his amazing fundraising trek along the Amazon in aid of the M.E. Biobank. Action for M.E. is also raising money for the Biobank: donate online via JustGiving.com.
BBC Radio 2, Steve Wright in the afternoon
http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b00xngs3
04/02/11
Don’t cut vital services
Victoria Harvey argues that cuts to local bus services will be devastating to smaller communities. When Victoria was very ill with M.E., her local service was a lifeline.
Guardian, online
http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2011/feb/03/bus-service-damage-communities
03/02/11
Trying to kill M.E.
The Street’s new album Computers and blues features a track called Trying to kill M.E., recounting Mike Skinner’s battle with the illness in 2009.
The Independent (Arts and Books), p16-17
http://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/music/features/mike-skinner-how-i-stopped-doubting-and-became-streetwise-2203494.html
and p20
http://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/music/reviews/album-the-streets-computers-and-blues-679-2203484.html
04/02/11
As above
Daily Mirror (The Ticket), p 8-9
04/02/11
Daily Mirror Northern Ireland (Box Office), p 6-7
04/02/11
Irish Daily Mirror (The Beat), p 6-7
04/02/11
Sir Peter says genuinely sick need help
In a letter to the editor, Action for M.E.’s Sir Peter Spencer highlights the significance of the Medical Research Council (MRC) announcement that funding of £1.5 million will be set aside for research into the causes of M.E. Sir Peter points out that not everyone claiming benefits is a fraudster, and the genuinely sick need help.
Hampstead & Highgate Express, p 18
03/02/11
As above
Newry Reporter, p 39
03/02/11
Wood & Vale, p 18
03/02/11
Cumbernauld News, p 13
02/02/11
Kilsyth Chronicle, p 13
02/02/11
North Devon Gazette, p 6
02/02/11
Forres Gazette, p 3
02/02/11
Suspected CFS
Newcastle Eagles Basketball Club’s player-coach Fab Fluornoy has been rushed to hospital with a severe chest infection. It’s thought Fab might have CFS.
The Journal (Newcastle), p 56
04/02/11
Over-training
Professional marathon runner Liz Yelling had three bouts of CFS brought on by over-training between 2003 and 2005.
Traithalon Plus, p 86
01/03/11
The information contained within each press summary is provided for your personal information only. It does not necessarily reflect the views of Action for M.E.
