May Awareness 2024

To be announced!

Watch this space for upcoming events to raise awareness about ME/CFS in the wider community.

Join us at SA Parliament House event

Date in June to be announced.

We are delighted to have the support of Hon Emily Bourke MLC, Assistant Minister to the Premier and Assistant Minister for Autism, who is organising an event in Parliament House for parliamentarians to learn about ME/CFS.

Emily has asked that as many people as possible attend, to help MPs learn about the nature and impact of ME/CFS on individuals and those who care for them.

If you are not well enough to attend, watch out for an opportunity to send a message to the event.

Emily’s first action has been to write to the federal and South Australian Health Ministers asking that people with ME/CFS be given access to Telehealth, without the need for an annual face-to-face consultation.

Grill'd Unley fundraiser

ME/CFS SA is one of three charities Grill'd is supporting in May.

How it works
Every burger equals a token, to pop in a jar for voting, in person or online.

At the end of May the charity whose jar has the most tokens receives $300. The other charities receive $100 each.

Dine-in · Takeaway · Delivery
Ph: (08) 8271 9881

Grill'd offers a wide menu, including low-carb, vegetarian and vegan options, with zero artificial colours, flavours and preservatives.

Please let your friends and family know as well. Your support helps us all!

#MillionsMissing Social Catch-Up

Join us at our community gathering to mark the May12th global event, #MillionsMissing.

It will be held in a private home. There are two lounge rooms with A/C, two covered outdoor areas with fans, and a bedroom available to accommodate most ME/CFS and MCS needs, while maintaining social distancing.

We may not be able to meet publicly to be seen and have our voices heard, but we can contribute to the growing awareness via social media by sharing our group photo.

Wear your #MillionsMissing t-shirt or a red top, if you are willing to be in a social media photo. If you don't have any red, then try for the traditional blue that represents ME/CFS and SA's Forget-ME-Not logo. If this is all too difficult, please join us anyway!

Please bring your own mask.

Food will not be served, but tea and coffee will be available outdoors.

Blue awareness ribbons will be available for a donation.

See Member Resources for the host's contact details or please contact us for the address.
Email: contact@mecfssa.org.au or phone: 0493 468 288

Further information including background to #MillionsMissing.

SA Power Networks digital billboard

Look out for this year's sign!

SA Power Networks continue to support May awareness by displaying our poster on their digital billboard throughout May.

Their billboard, on the major intersection of Greenhill Road and Anzac Highway, is seen by tens of thousands of commuters each day. It is one of Adelaide's busiest intersections.

#LightUpTheNight

For May12th international ME/CFS awareness day, iconic buildings in Adelaide will again join the global event, #LightUpTheNight, to raise awareness of ME/CFS.

Look out for the following locations.
 

• Adelaide Oval - 10 May
• SAHMRI - 10-12 May
• SA Parliament House - 12 May
• Uni SA Bradley Building - 10-12 May
• Unley Town Hall - 12 May

We are waiting for other locations to confirm their participation.

When you see social media posts by ME/CFS SA and the localities that are lighting up blue to support us, please like, comment with thanks and share the posts.

Background to May 12th

In 1992, 12 May was chosen as the international awareness day for ME/CFS as it is the birthday of Florence Nightingale, the pioneer of public health and the founder of modern nursing, who suffered for decades with an ME/CFS-like illness.

Florence contracted what was called 'Crimean Fever' whilst serving in the Crimean War. After returning home at the age of 38, she spent the next 50 years homebound and bedridden, achieving much of her later work from the confines of her bed.

In 1995, a blue ribbon was adopted to represent ME/CFS.

Wear a ribbon or purchase one for someone else to wear this May. Ribbons are available from ME/CFS SA for a donation of $1.