Advocacy Alert: 08/28/2006 

Take Action!

September issue of "O"prah magazine features CFS
Other media outlets report on CFS, too!

The much-anticipated article about chronic fatigue syndrome is in the September issue of O, the Oprah magazine, which is on newsstands now. This magazine has a total audience of 16,290,000. Investigative reporter Mary Fischer interviewed Laura Hillenbrand, author of Seabiscuit; Michelle Akers, world-champion soccer star; Kim McCleary, president and CEO of the CFIDS Association; Anthony Komaroff, MD, of Harvard Medical School; and Suzanne Vernon, PhD, of the CDC for this article. The CFIDS Association helped inform Fischer about the illness and helped connect her with Hillenbrand, Akers, Komaroff and Vernon. The resulting article focuses on the impact of CFS on people's lives and on the research indicating there is a biological basis for CFS and, for the most part, is balanced. "But tired or supertired, the point is," Fischer says, "it's not all in your head."

You can thank the editors of "O" by following the "Action" prompt -- our form letter makes it quick and easy to do so!

In addition to the O article, there has been other significant coverage of CFS and the public awareness campaign in recent weeks. Below is a sampling of some of the media coverage that has been circulating in magazines, radio, television, newspapers and online publications during the past three weeks alone. Be on the lookout in the coming months for more stories on CFS, and as always, if you see a story please mail us a copy or e-mail media@cfids.org.

For the July/August issue of Ms. magazine, well-known CFS expert Nancy Klimas, MD, discusses new research showing how the disease may be connected to abnormalities in the immune system, brain and endocrine regulation and outlining the dire need for more research funding and better informed health care professionals.

Minnesota Public Radio's Midmorning show interviewed Dr. William Reeves of the CDC, Minnesota physician Dr. Allan Kind and award-winning author Laura Hillenbrand. Hosted by Kerri Miller, the hour-long show offered an informative look into the illness while bringing attention to the national public awareness campaign and the traveling photo exhibit that was displayed at the Mall of America in Minneapolis that week. The show was aired on 11 Minnesota radio stations. 8/09/06. http://minnesota.publicradio.org/display/web/2006/08/09/midmorning2/ 

KAXE Radio's "Morning Show" in northern Minnesota interviewed Dr. James Jones of the CDC and CFS patient Mary Baltich to provide both a scientific and a personal look at CFS. 8/17/06.

WCCO-TV, the Minneapolis/St. Paul CBS affiliate, reported on CFS and the traveling photo exhibit that was displayed at Mall of America. Reporter Sue Turner interviewed CFS patient Joanne Brayden and CFIDS Association staff member Tiffany Stovall. 8/06/06. In conjunction with the TV report, WCCO also posted a story on their website. 8/07/06. http://wcco.com/topstories/local_story_218211856.html

The August issue of Harvard Health Letter features a Q&A on CFS. Dr. Anthony Komaroff answers a question about what help there is on the horizon for CFS patients. This publication goes to 180,000 subscribers.

Greenstone Media Network did a 15-minute segment on CFS for their syndicated radio show called "Women Aloud." 8/15/06. http://www.greenstonemedia.net/

For the Melrose Free Press in Massachusetts, reporter Carol Brooks Ball reported on CFS patient Pam Gobiel and her 11-year-old niece, who has launched a web-based business as a way to help find a cure for CFS. 8/11/06. http://www2.townonline.com/melrose/localRegional/view.bg?articleid=552670

Reporter Janet Wetzel of the Cincinnati Enquirer wrote about CFS patient Joan Shivers. 8/09/06. http://news.enquirer.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060731/NEWS01/607310334/-1/all

In Colorado's the Vail Trail writer Caramie Schnell reported on 18-year-old CFS patient Lindsey Simmer. 8/16/06. http://www.vailtrail.com/article/20060816/COVERSTORY/60816003

About.com published a story in its Fibromyalgia and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome section by Karen Richards titled. "Are You a Victim or Victor?" http://chronicfatigue.about.com/od/copingstrategies/a/victimvictor.htm

On Mayoclinic.com there is a newly posted article called "Fatigue: When to rest, when to worry" by Mayo Clinic staff. 8/16/06. http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/fatigue/HQ00673

"Joint Flexibility May Offer Insight into Chronic Fatigue Syndrome" by Amanda Gardener of HealthScout.com has appeared in the following publications: Health Scout, Health Central, Forbes, Food Consumer and Health Day. http://www.healthscout.com/news/1/534241/main.html