In this Issue
May 2005
CFIDSLink Electronic Newsletter  

CFIDSLink is e-mailed monthly free of charge to all those interested. To sign up for the electronic newsletter visit http://www.cfids.org/subscribe.asp

In this Issue

• Make your Voice Heard in Washington, DC without Leaving Home
• Don't Miss Out on Vital CFIDS Information
• May 12 is CFIDS Awareness Day
• OFFER Conference Delivers the Best
• Living with CFIDS: Personal Stories
• Remedyfind
• Beaded Bracelet Benefits CFIDS

Make your Voice Heard in Washington, DC without Leaving Home
More than 75 CFIDS advocates – people with CFIDS, their family members and friends – are prepared to join members of the CFIDS Association's staff and Board in Washington, DC next week to help educate Congressional decision makers about CFIDS. Because we want you to join us, we will also host a virtual, online lobby day May 12th. Watch your email inbox next Monday for information on how you can use your computer to augment the impact of what advocates are able to accomplish in person on Capitol Hill.

Don't Miss Out on Vital CFIDS Information
The CFIDS Chronicle and the CFS Research Review are two of the most highly respected sources of information about CFIDS for those who suffer from the illness and health care professionals. To receive a complimentary copy of both Association publications and/or to have an issue of the CFS Research Review sent to your medical provider, visit http://www.cfids.org/cfidslink/2005/cfids-info.asp. 

May 12 is CFIDS Awareness Day
PWCs, their families and friends are encouraged to educate others about the reality and seriousness of CFIDS on May 12 of every year. Visit http://www.cfids.org/cfidslink/2005/awareness-day05.pdf for a CFIDS Awareness Day packet that you can use now as well as with your year-round awareness efforts.

OFFER Conference Delivers the Best
"Attending this conference was well worth the trip," remarked Association President & CEO, Kim McCleary, upon her return from OFFER's annual conference in Utah. The conference featured internationally recognized experts in CFIDS and fibromyalgia (FM) complemented by an excellent group of local speakers. Visit http://www.cfids.org/cfidslink/2005/offer.asp to read more.

Living with CFIDS: Personal Stories
Many CFIDSLink readers have been sharing stories of how CFIDS impacts their lives and the lives of their families. Stories of profound loss, of anger and acceptance, of a struggle without end. In this month's column, we publish a story from Litsa Dremousis who asks the question, "Who would I have become if I hadn't developed CFIDS almost fourteen years ago?" Visit http://www.cfids.org/cfidslink/2005/dremousis.asp to read her story, then please consider sharing your own. Send your personal stories to Marcia Harmon at stories@cfids.org.

Remedyfind
Remedyfind provides a forum for patients and health care providers to rate the effectiveness of prescription drugs, over-the-counter products, supplements, self-care therapies and procedures related to nearly 50 medical conditions. Read more about Remedyfind and the man who created it at http://www.cfids.org/cfidslink/2005/remedyfind.asp.

Beaded Bracelet Benefits CFIDS
"My mom conned me into doing this bead thing with her," says 15-year-old Kristy Romero. Kristy, who has suffered from CFIDS for almost two years and is currently home-schooled, and her mother Barbara, decided to turn a hobby into a business and awareness-raising endeavor. Visit http://girliegirlsdesignstudio.com/index.php?action=category&id=7 to get to know Kristy and Barbara and view the CFIDS and diabetes awareness bracelets they created together.