Recently we witnessed something groundbreaking. The entire Massachusetts Congressional Delegation signed on to a joint statement of support for people living with ME.
We hope the ME community -- including family and friends around the U.S. and globe -- will send these 11 members of Congress a little love by signing this "thank you" card. (To add your comment to the card, click on the button “ADD KUDO/IMAGE/VIDEO.”)
https://www.kudoboard.com/boards/HVS8LIQQ
In the card, tell them how important their support is, maybe including a photo of yourself and, if you are from Massachusetts, don't forget to mention that.
The powerful statement of support from U.S. Senators Ed Markey and Elizabeth Warren, along with nine members of the U.S. House of Representatives, was made public at the Boston area screening of Unrest, which was attended by 358 people, many of whom were healthcare professionals. The Massachusetts CFIDS/ME & FM Association organized the screening.
Watch a video of the event that shows the introduction to the film and the panel discussion here. Read about successes from the event here, and find photos here. To get the video shown on your local community media station (local cable TV), contact Rivka at
rivka@meaction.net
Good news! #MEAction has created an easy-to-read guide for how to organize your own successful local event, using the Boston event as a case study.
http://www.meaction.net/2017/11/21/unrest-best-practices-for-hosting-a-community-screening/
Here is the joint statement issued by the Mass. Congressional Delegation:
"Without meaningful and immediate investments in biomedical research, the 28,000 people living with ME/CFS in Massachusetts will struggle to find answers to critical questions about the disease’s cause, diagnosis, and treatment. Events like today’s, bolstered by the advocacy and outreach performed by many in this room, has helped to bring this devastating condition out of the shadows and into the spotlight. We will keep our constituents with ME/CFS in mind as we push for expanded biomedical research opportunities and funding in the U.S. House and Senate.
-- A joint statement from the entire 11-member MA Congressional Delegation, including Sen. Ed Markey, Sen. Elizabeth Warren, Rep. Richard Neal, Rep. Jim McGovern, Rep. Nikki Tsongas, Rep. Joe Kennedy, Rep. Katherine Clark, Rep. Seth Moulton, Rep. Mike Capuano, Rep. Stephen Lynch and Rep. Bill Keating."
In strength,
Rivka Solomon
