Philadelphia Leads CFS News Flurry

As “The Faces of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome” photo exhibit traveled to Philadelphia in January, the media in the area really took note of both the exhibit and of CFS itself. In stories running in over 38 area news sources, readers and viewers learned about the seriousness and symptoms of CFS, heard from area residents with the illness and were told where to get more facts about diagnosis and treatment.

For example, a large Philadelphia newspaper chain ran a well-researched and written interview with CFS patient and Association board chairman Jennie Spotila in 11 of its papers. Spotila also did at least 8 radio interviews, as well as a health segment on KYW-TV with Dr. Andre Garabedian. Meanwhile, the News-Journal in Delaware ran a full-length feature article including quotes from a local CFS patient, Eleanora Beardsley, and Association president & CEO Kim McCleary. In addition to this and other print and broadcast coverage, numerous stories ran on websites published in the area.

As the photo exhibit travels from city to city, a great deal of work goes into informing media outlets in the host cities and surrounding areas. This results in print, radio, television and online stories about the illness. The local media attention often encourages more people to see the exhibit while it’s in town. But even for those who don’t make it to the exhibit, the facts and personal stories shared in these media stories increase awareness of this debilitating illness and how it affects the lives so many Americans.

For a running list of national and regional news stories, with links to many of the actual stories and broadcast clips, visit the public awareness campaign website at www.cfids.org/sparkcfs/media-coverage.asp. Since its launch, the public awareness campaign has generated more than 5,000 media stories on CFS.

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