What Did You Do for CFIDS Awareness Day?

YPWCs' Efforts Brought Recognition, Satisfaction

Originally published in Youth Allied By CFIDS, Summer 1997

While some YPWCs and their advocates were in Washington making Congress aware of CFIDS, many more were educating people in their own communities about it. Here are a few of the Awareness Day reports we've received from CYA members!

Jen Day, age 17:
I was a CYA Regional Media Coordinator. I wrote to all the regional papers, media and magazines in hopes that they'd do a story on CFIDS, especially on YPWCs, but I had no such luck. My sister wore a blue [CFIDS awareness] ribbon to work and had several people ask her why she was wearing one. That was a big success because many more people found out what the mysterious blue ribbon stood for. At least it's a few more people that know about CFIDS that didn't before!

Rebecca Ann Duger, age 19:
I was also a CYA Regional Media Coordinator. For May 12, I sent out ribbons and cards with letters to people in the U.S., state and local government. I wrote to as many people that I could think of asking them to wear blue ribbons. I wrote to magazines and local newspapers. A friend read my letter at his church and passed out ribbons. And we passed out ribbons to people at our church.

The county executive wrote back and sent two pictures of himself with a ribbon on and said next year he would try to help me get more attention brought to Awareness Day by proclaiming it in this county (and I intend to hold him to it!!).

Marci Mickelini, age 11:
This is the third year I have had CFIDS, but only the first year I have participated on May 12th.

I asked my pediatrician if he would wear a blue ribbon on May 12th. He asked if he could have one for his entire staff! I asked my 4th grade teacher if she would wear one and she said. "Sure, I'd love to!" Afterwards she said everyone was curious about the blue ribbon and she thinks next year I should ask all the teachers and my classmates to wear one! I gave blue ribbons to my relatives, and they all said they would wear them.

When I was in second grade I joined a basketball league. My dad and two of my uncles coached our team. I got sick in January of that season and I couldn't finish the season, go to the tournament or the banquet. I don't know who was more disappointed - me or them.

The year I was nine, again I couldn't finish the season, but I did go to the championship game and cheer our team on to a victory!

This season I only played in three games. My dad and uncles continue to coach our team. They support me when my health has me up or down, on and off the court.

On May 12th, 1997, my Uncle Jeff and my Uncle John and his family sent me a basketful of yellow and BLUE flowers with a card that read "Happy CFS Day!" Imagine how lucky I felt knowing how much they love and support me!