Since 1993, each May 12th has been recognized as International CFIDS/CFS Awareness Day. Awareness Day events carried out by patients and CFIDS organizations seek to educate the general public, members of legislative bodies, the media and health care professionals, about this prevalent and debilitating illness. Holding events on a single day raises the profile of individual efforts and focuses attention, on the illness on this national public health concern.

Although increasing CFIDS awareness is particularly important during the month of May, there are many activities that support groups can do to educate others throughout the year. By helping to increase awareness, support groups are bringing about change in the lives of all people with CFIDS. One advocate said it best by stating, "I learned how very important it is that we all speak up and do our part, no matter how small."

What can your group do? 

• Designate one or more members of your group as the advocacy point person. Register this person for the Grassroots Action Center Listserv (GAC) program so he or she can receive the latest advocacy and media information from The CFIDS Association of America and share it with other group members.
• Organize a support group member project to educate your government officials. Take copies of an advocacy letter   to a support group meeting and have members write letters to their two Senators and one Representative in Congress. Include the Association's CFIDS Fact Sheet with each letter.
• Contact health reporters at your local TV and radio stations, newspapers, and magazines regarding CFIDS. Once you have a reporter interested in doing a story on CFIDS, send their name and address to the Association    and request an information packet be sent to them.
• Conduct a "tell a friend" campaign by asking support group members to pledge to educate at least three people unfamiliar with CFIDS about the illness and its impact on daily living.
• Distribute the Association's CFIDS Fact Sheet  or other brochures at libraries, pharmacies, grocery stores, churches, health food stores and medical facilities. Consider asking local youth groups to help deliver them.
• Give presentations on CFIDS to church, women's, civic, school and youth groups. To help conserve your energy, ask a local health care practitioner, friend or family member knowledgeable about CFIDS to give the presentation with or for you.
• Explore opportunities to partner with other local health groups, such as the Arthritis Foundation or Independent Living Centers, to spread the word about CFIDS and related illnesses.
• Ask health care providers to display information about CFIDS. Don't forget other health care professionals such as your dentist, optometrist and massage therapist.
• Create a simple public service announcement (PSA) and send it to local publications and radio stations. You may be able to find a local graphic designer willing to creatively format your text at no charge. The CFIDS Association can provide you with sample PSAs.

Interested in May 12th Activities?
The number of CFIDS Awareness Day activities grows every year as more support groups and organizations team together. The activities listed above can be used year round, as well on May 12th. Listed below are additional suggestions for activities focused on Awareness Day.

• Prior to May 12th, have a state, county or city CFIDS Awareness Day  Proclamation issued. 
• Set up a display at your local library. The librarian can do this with your suggestions on what information should be included in the display. The Association has several brochures suitable for these types of displays. You can also include the Association's CFIDS Fact Sheet . Please remember, this display does not need to be "manned" by someone from your group.
• If members of your support group can manage some time at the mall, you may wish to set up a display there.
• Consider asking your place of worship to include a notice about the significance of May 12th in its worship material.
• Consider sending a member of your support group to the Association's CFIDS Lobby Days on Capitol Hill. (held this year September 17-18)

Remember…
You don't have to do all of these things! Please DO ask members of your support group to write at least one letter to their Congressperson. Then if your group is up to it, choose one of the other suggestions listed above (or come up with something new!) that you believe you are best able to accomplish. Let us know what you are doing to make others more aware of CFIDS. Send your plans (and pictures) to The CFIDS Association of America, Attention Awareness Day, PO Box 220398, Charlotte, NC 28222-0398.