In this Issue

October 2008
CFIDSLink Electronic Newsletter 

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In this Issue

• Research Campaign Reaches $1 Million Goal!
  
• From the Desk of Kim McCleary
• Research Matters
      New Papers Drawn from CFS Dataset
     CFS and Childbearing
• Advocay Counts
      Video: Brian Smith Testifies on Impact of CFS
      CFS Advisory Committee to Meet in October
      U.S. Health Policy News
  
• Community Momentum Yields Promise, Power
• Personal Stories: Alissa Lukara

Research Campaign Reaches $1 Million Goal!
The Campaign to Accelerate CFS Research set forth the most ambitious research fundraising goal in the history of the CFS community--$1 million by the end of 2008. Now we're proud to announce that the CFS community rose to the challenge and met that goal, enabling the CFIDS Association to undertake its largest research grant-making initiative ever and to set activities in motion to propel CFS science forward in new ways.
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From the Desk of Kim McCleary
Next Steps in the Research Grant Process
Successes abound in our research program, with greater-than-ever support from the CFS community and technical review from the scientific community. President and CEO Kim McCleary shares the details and explains what's next on the path to determining what studies will receive research grants.
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Research Matters

New Papers Drawn from CFS Dataset
Drawn from a two-day clinical study of more than 200 CFS patients, the Wichita clinical dataset is arguably one of the richest and most comprehensive CFS datasets available. That data recently yielded two new papers in the scientific journal Genomics.
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CFS and Childbearing
A clinical instructor from the University of Utah College of Nursing authored a review of CFS in childbearing women, published in a recent issue of the Journal of Midwifery & Women's Health.
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Advocacy counts

Video: Brian Smith Testifies on Impact of CFS
CFIDS Association board member Brian Smith testified at the May meeting of the CFS Advisory Committee (CFSAC), sharing his story and appealing for better public health policy for people with CFS. The CFSAC--part of the Department of Health and Human Services--addresses CFS health issues and provides recommendations to the secretary of health. Click here to view Brian's public testimony as recorded at the meeting. The next CFSAC meeting is scheduled for October 28-29, 2008.

CFS Advisory Committee to Meet in October
The Department of Health and Human Services Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Advisory Committee (CFSAC) will meet on October 28-29, 2008, in Washington, D.C. The CFSAC advises the secretary of health on CFS issues, especially as they relate to government agencies and programs. The meeting is open to the public.
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U.S. Health Policy News
Here are three recent developments in United States health policy that could have a bearing on people with CFS.
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Community Momentum Yields Promise, Power
There's new energy surrounding the cause of CFS. With the Association's leadership, we're stepping up the pace for answers. With your help, we can continue the push toward a future free of the adversity wrought by this illness.
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Personal Stories: Alissa Lukara
Alissa Lukara has dealt with her share of hardship to overcome, including her long journey with CFS. Here's a bit of her story, which prompted her to release a powerful, provocative memoir called Riding Grace: A Triumph of the Soul.
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