May 12th has been designated as International Awareness Day for Chronic Immunological and Neurological Diseases (CIND) since 1992. The CIND illnesses include Myalgic Encephalomyelitis (ME), Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS), Fibromyalgia (FM), Gulf War Syndrome (GWS) and Multiple Chemical Sensitivity (MCS).
Welcome to the Manitoba ME/CFS Support Group home page for Myalgic Encephalomyelitis (ME) International Awareness Day. May 12th was chosen for Chronic Immunological and Neurological Diseases as it is the birthday of Florence Nightingale. She was believed to have suffered from ME/CFS.
Every year more and more events are held to mark May 12th. They can be held on May 12th or sometime during the month of May. Can you help? It is important that we hold as many activities as possible each year to raise awareness of May12th. Activities can be as simple as wearing a May 12th shirt or as complex as arranging a large gathering with speakers and media attention. Big or small – every activity helps.
While May 12th is our day of awareness, we also try to promote ME awareness all year long, so check in regularly to see what’s new on this page or our Information page. Mark your calendar and help us raise awareness on May 12th for Myalgic Encephalomyelitis. Event information news will be available on Facebook, Twitter and this site. If you are planning an awareness event or have ideas for raising awareness, please use the “Contact Us” form to let us know about it and how we might be able to help.
If you need some ideas for “May 12th Awareness” we have listed some ideas below.
Share your personal stories. If you or a loved one is living with ME/CFS, share your story with neighbours and friends.
Spread the word on social media. Share information about ME/CFS to help educate your followers. Use #MECFSAwareness and share what you learn with family and friends.
Wear blue jeans (or just a piece of blue clothes) to raise awareness. Even better, wear OUR t-shirt and show support for Manitoban’s with ME/CFS, their families and caregivers.
Better yet have a fundraising like these.
Raffle Tickets - Straight forward, sell tickets for a prize or 50/50 draw, etc.
Virtual or Online Auction - Contact local support group and local companies to explain what you want you are doing and how they can help you with donations or other supports, like promotion.
Light Up the Night Challenge -Get a set of blue Christmas or colour changing LED light for your home. And tell everyone you know what you are doing and why. Challenge friends to do the most lights, or most informative display, etc.
Shows or Tournaments - Think about centring your tournament or show around a ME fundraiser.
Run or Walk - Hosting a run or walk is one of the most popular peer-to-peer fundraising campaigns.
Poker Night - 10% of the pot goes to fundraising
Potluck Party - Nothing brings Canadians together like food! For your next fundraising event, try hosting a party with a purpose.
Garden Party and/or a Plant Sale - These types of events are the perfect way create a more casual fundraising atmosphere.
Fundraise with a bake sale - Selling Something such as Chocolate cookies or Cookbooks
Tea for ME - An idea that started in the UK, could work here, or Iced Tea for ME in the summer might work too.
Peer to Peer Challenges - It could be similar to the ice bucket challenge, or how long could you stay inside your house?
Start a Give It Up Challenge - Challenge friends and family to give up something for a certain amount of time. People with ME/CFS end of giving up so much in their life just to get by. How long could you go with out playing your favourite sport.