CFS in the News

Both CFS and the public awareness campaign have been in the news recently. O, the Oprah magazine, Ms. magazine, Minnesota Public Radio, WCCO-TV and many other print and broadcast outlets have covered the illness this summer. In case you missed it, below is a small sample of the media coverage that occurred in just a three-week period.

Through the Association’s Grassroots Action Center, we encouraged readers to thank the producers, reporters and editors responsible for some of the most noteworthy coverage. So far, 182 people have thanked O magazine, 76 have written to WCCO-TV in Minneapolis and 202 have thanked Minnesota Public Radio for their hour-long segment on CFS. These efforts help media outlets stay aware and positively focused on covering this illness.

It’s still not too late to thank the editors of O magazine, and it’s quick and easy to do. Visit http://capwiz.com/cfids/issues/alert/?alertid=8991736&queueid=[capwiz:queue_id and our Grassroots Action Center site will automatically prompt you through the process and get your message on its way.

Examples of CFS media coverage in recent weeks

The much-anticipated article about chronic fatigue syndrome hit newsstands in the September issue of O, the Oprah magazine. 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.

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