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Fall 2002

Media Watch
A report on coverage of CFIDS in the mainstream media

Pediatric Story Airs. The News Professional Network, known as NewsProNet, supplies packaged broadcast footage to more than 100 local affiliate television stations across the United States. The CFIDS Association of America worked with NewsProNet earlier this year to create a compelling story on pediatric CFIDS. Kim Kenney, President and CEO of the Association, was interviewed along with Dr. William Reeves from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Dr. David Bell of Lyndonville, N.Y. and several pediatric patients.

To date, short CFIDS segments based on the NewsProNet coverage have appeared on television stations in Philadelphia, San Diego, Minneapolis/St. Paul, Tampa and Charlotte, N.C. The segments have mentioned how serious CFIDS can be for children and how it is often mistaken as school phobia.

Association letter to the editor. The August 2002 issue of ELLE magazine featured an article that suggests the cause of “invisible illnesses” such as CFIDS and fibromyalgia is psychological and anxiety-based. The CFIDS Association of America sent a letter to the editor of ELLE correcting this assertion, and also contacted the magazine’s editors directly to further educate them about CFIDS.

Kenney featured. Association Management, a business magazine for non-profit association executives, published a Q&A article in its July 2002 issue profiling CFIDS Association President and CEO Kim Kenney. The article chronicles how Kenney’s personal commitment and a dedicated staff have contributed to the Association remaining true to its mission— to find a cure for CFIDS.

“Seabiscuit” movie. The May 23 edition of USA Today featured an article on author Laura Hillenbrand and her involvement with the film version of her best-selling book, “Seabiscuit: An American Legend.” The film is expected to be released in time for Christmas of 2003. The article mentions that Hillenbrand has suffered from CFIDS since her sophomore year of college.

Hillenbrand, who has been unable to make public appearances due to health reasons, recently made her first public outing to promote “Seabiscuit” on Aug. 29 at a Barnes and Noble bookstore in Washing-ton, D.C. The appearance was taped for C-SPAN (BookTV). 

CFIDS support group featured. The Saucon News (Pa.) published an article in its Aug. 1 edition profiling several people with CFIDS (PWCs) and their local support group. The article mentions symptoms of CFIDS and how pediatric cases are frequently misdiagnosed as a behavioral or emotional problem. The article also provides readers with the Association’s Web site address and toll free number for more information.

Radio news release update. A radio news release on CFIDS that was released by the Association in May has been broadcast on 293 radio stations in 49 different states with an audience of more than eight million. To request a copy of the release transcript to use in your own awareness efforts, please e-mail Leah Moseley at lmoseley@cfids.org.

Thanks go out to those who are working with the media to increase awareness of CFIDS. The CFIDS Public Relations (CPR) Team helps monitor and respond to media coverage. Please clip articles about CFIDS and send them to CPR Team, PO Box 220398, Charlotte, NC 28222-0398.