22 December 2011
This is the last daily press summary of the year; the news stream will resume on Tuesday 3 January. Merry Christmas from all at Action for M.E.
A summary of recent M.E. related stories in the news. Headlines appearing in the media as dated.
Action for M.E. welcomes new research
M.E. patients and campaigners in Edinburgh have welcomed the announcement that the Medical Research Council has awarded more then £1.6 million for research into the illness. Sir Peter Spencer, Chief Executive, Action for M.E., said: "We are delighted that the MRC has made this commitment to ME research, not least because the pilot studies we are presently considering for funding ourselves will complement the MRC’s investment."
Edinburgh Evening News, p 6
21/12/11
M.E. research fund for Newcastle University
The Medical Research Council has awarded £900,000 to Prof Julia Newton and Dr Wang Ng at Newcastle University, who will lead three-year research projects looking at M.E./CFS.
ITV1, Tyne Tees North East News and Border Lookaround, 6.13pm
21/12/11
As above
ITV1 Border, Lookaround, 6.13pm
21/12/11
As above
Newcastle Journal, online
21/12/11
WPI wins civil lawsuit against Dr Mikovits
The Whittemore-Peterson Institute (WPI) in Reno, Nevada, has won a civil lawsuit against its former research director Dr Judy Mikovits. A judge has ruled that because Dr Mikovits failed to follow a court order to return data and research materials, the WPI can now seek damages. Dr Mikovits will be arraigned in Reno Justice Court on 10 January.
News 4, online
19/12/11
Cost of M.E. to the UK is huge
In a letter to the editor, Christopher Ritchie, who as M.E., agrees with a previous correspondent that prescribing exercise for people with the condition is ridiculous. “Considering the number of sufferers in the UK alone, the cost to the economy is huge,” he says. One would think funding a ‘cure’ for such would be very much in the interests of everyone.”
Private Eye, p 13-14
23/12/11
Frenchay clinic helped me cope with the illness
Reverend Mary Hart was almost bedbound for seven years with M.E. "Everything ached," she says. "Although I was sleeping it was very low-level sleep and I was literally walking around in tears all the time." Mary attended the M.E. clinic at Frenchay Hospital, which helped her cope with the illness.
Gazette Series, online
21/12/11
1 in 100 pupils misses school due to M.E.
A study published in the online journal BMJ Open has found that one in 100 secondary school pupils could be missing classes because of CFS/M.E. Dr Esther Crawley, University of Bristol, said, “This project suggests that undiagnosed CFS/M.E. may be an important and under-appreciated cause of school absence in children aged 11-16 years.”
Buxton Advertiser, online
21/12/11
Safety of breast implants
Breast implant operations are the popular cosmetic procedure performed in the UK, according to the British Association of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons. The most common implants are silicone and saline, both of which are considered generally safe. In Britain polyurethane-coated silicone implants were withdrawn in 1991, amid fears that they could increase the risk of cancer, while silicone gel implants were ruled non-toxic in the late 1990s, following US allegations about ruptured implants causing joint pains and CFS.
The Guardian, p 7 and online
22/12/11
As above
Scotsman, p 14
22/12/11
As above
PA News Wire, online
21/12/11
Parents remember Robin
The parents of Robin Freeman, who has died aged 24 after being diagnosed in January with a form of testicular cancer, hope his death will raise awareness and save other lives. Robin recovered from CFS as a teenager and was a fan of heavy metal, studying music technology at Colchester Institute before working for his father's business.
Harwich and Manningtree Standard, online
21/12/11
As above
Colchester Gazette, p 5
20/12/11
As above
Essex County Standard, online
21/12/11
NB. Some articles may only be available online through payment of a subscription. Unfortunately Action for M.E. is prevented by copyright law from reproducing such articles in full or in extract.
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.
Have a look at our other news stories.
