10 May 2011
A summary of recent M.E. related stories in the news. Headlines appearing in the media as dated.
Text a friend with M.E. to show you care
Sophie Lees, 15, has had M.E. for two and half years following a bout of glandular fever. She says that not only does she have to cope with the symptoms, but also fight for people to believe she’s really ill. Sophie can no longer go to school, and is cared for by her mum. She asks readers who know anyone with M.E. to drop them a text during M.E. Awareness Week, just to let them know that you care.
Wirral News, p 28
04/05/11
Helen and Liz talk about living with M.E.
Helen Buckenham, who has M.E., and her best friend Liz Wood talk about what it’s like to live with the illness and how it can affect those closest to you. The pair will be fundraising for Action for M.E. at Willowbrook Shopping Centre, Bradley Stoke, Bristol on Saturday 14 May.
Glouester FM Radio, 11am
www.gloucesterfm.com
09/05/11
CFS service closure could have grave consequences
In a letter to the editor, Sir Peter Spencer, Action for M.E., says he is astonished and dismayed that the minutes of a board meeting held on 29 March by the Barking, Havering and Redbridge Hospitals Trust say that the CFS service is to be decommissioned, even though the public consultation on the closure does not end until 9 May. He points out that the CFS service is a national one, and that closing it could have grave consequences.
Romford Recorder, p 34
06/05/11
Free M.E. awareness posters and leaflets
In a letter to the editor, Sir Peter Spencer, Action for M.E., asks people to display the charity’s awareness posters and leaflets during May, M.E. Awareness Month. To order free copies, contact Action for M.E. at admin@actionforme.org.uk.
Central Somerset Gazette, p 30
05/05/11
As above
Swindon Advertiser, p 13
03/05/11
Luton on Sunday, p 10
01/05/11
Much more research needs to be done
Kay Gilderdale, whose daughter Lynn had severe M.E., talks about coping with the illness and how much more research needs to be done. Action for M.E. is raising funds to set up a biobank for M.E. research, says Chief Executive Sir Peter Spencer, while the lack of diagnostic test and ready cure contributes to misunderstanding around M.E.
Newcastle Evening Chronicle, p 6-7 and online
http://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/lifestyle/health//tm_headline=loving-mum-kay-gilderdale-helped-daughter-kill-herself-after-long-me-struggle%26method=full%26objectid=28662324%26siteid=72703-name_page.html
07/05/11
As above
Western Daily Press, p 20
09/05/11
Highlands & Islands Press & Journal, p 12-13
07/05/11
Teenager raises awareness of M.E.
Amy Martin, 16, was diagnosed with M.E. three years ago. She tells her story to raise awareness of the illness, classified by the World Health Organisation as a neurological disorder. Amy's symptoms include extreme fatigue, dizziness, sickness, muscle spasms and aching joints, and she often uses a wheelchair.
Chorley Guardian, p 10
04/05/11
Music for M.E. Day in Wadebridge
Fiona Clark has organised a Music for M.E. Day in Wadebridge to raise awareness and funds for Action for M.E. and M.E. Self Help Cornwall. The event takes place on Saturday 14 May, with music on Molesworth Street from 11am. For more information, call Fiona on 01208 895103.
North Cornwall Advertiser, p 42
01/05/11
A sentence of M.E.
In a letter to the editor, Dr John Greensmith asks people affected by M.E. to get involved in his M.E. Awareness Month project, A Sentence of M.E., by emailing a single sentence describing life with M.E. to drjohngreensmith@mefreeforall.org.
Whitehaven News, p 12
12/05/11
Library exhibition for M.E. Awareness Day
Perth M.E. Support Group hosts an exhibition at the AK Bell Library from 12 May, M.E. Awareness Day, until 21 May. The group, which meets on the first Tuesday of every month at the Grampian Hotel, also welcomes new members. For more information, call Elizabeth Moncrieff on 01738 621933.
Perthshire Advertiser, p 6
06/05/11
Oxfordshire events for M.E. Awareness Week
Susanna Geddes has had M.E. for 23 years, and hasn’t been able to read a book, watch TV or make a meal in all that time. Patricia Wells, who also has M.E., lay in a darkened room for five years. Both women live in Oxfordshire, where Oxfordshire M.E. Group for Action can offer support and advice. The group also has a full programme of events planned for M.E. Awareness Week. To find out more, see www.oxnet.org.uk/omega.
Oxford Times, p 160
05/05/11
Systemic mastocytosis
Sally Hooker, who has symptoms of intense fatigue, skin lesions, digestive problems, food and drug intolerances, muscle pain and headaches, thought that she might have M.E. She eventually discovered she had systemic mastocytosis, a condition that affects only two people per million.
Clacton Gazette, p 23
12/04/11
My weight ballooned with M.E.
Kristian Norman talks about having M.E., and how it led him to balloon in weight. He was 10 years old when he fell ill after having a severe reaction to the MMR vaccination. He was finally able to lose eight stone and slowly recover, and now attends university.
Attitude Magazine, p 120-121
01/06/11
The reality of living with M.E.
Jennifer Elliot, M.E. North East, talks about the reality of living with M.E. Teenager Rebecca Griffin, who has M.E., and her mum Jeanette are also interviewed.
BBC Radio Newcastle, Breakfast, 7.25am
http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/p00gg6s7/Alfie_and_Charlie_at_Breakfast_09_05_2011/
09/05/11
As above
Reading Chronicle, p 14
05/05/11
Support group helps me feel less isolated
Suzy Kemp, who has fibromyalgia, talks about living with illness. She is a member of The Fibromyalgia Group in Deal, which also offers support to people with M.E., and says it has really helped her feel less isolated. For more information call Sue Wicks on 01304 239920
East Kent Mercury, p 15
15/05/11
Important to raise awareness
In a letter to the editor, Dr John Greensmith says that the recently published story of Rachel Lindan, who has M.E., illustrates why it is important to raise awareness and continue with research to find an effective treatment for M.E.
Stoke-on-Trent Sentinel, p 10
07/05/11
Protest over loss of parking spaces
Jeanne Rushby, who has M.E., is leading a petition protesting at the loss of parking spaces in the planned refurbishment of Salibsury’s Market Place and Guildhall Square. She says the changes will make it harder for people with limited mobility to have access to shops and essential services.
Salisbury Journal, online
http://www.salisburyjournal.co.uk/news/9015921.Deadline_approaches_on_Market_Place_consultation/?ref=rss
09/05/11
Fundraising coffee morning
Cathy Hannon, who has M.E., is hosting a coffee morning, cake sale and raffle to raise money for the Association of Young People with M.E. Cathy believes she contracted the illness followed a viral infection, exacerbated by the stress of four family bereavements.
This is Local London, online
http://www.thisislocallondon.co.uk/whereilive/southeast/bexley/9016376.BLACKFEN__Fundraiser_for_research_into_Chronic_Fatigue_Syndrome/?ref=rss
09/05/11
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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.
