Rainbow at shoreline

The Massachusetts ME/CFS & FM Association, a 501(c)3 founded in 1985, exists to meet the needs of patients with ME (Myalgic Encephalomyelitis), CFS (Chronic Fatigue Syndrome) or FM (Fibromyalgia), their families and loved ones. The Massachusetts ME/CFS & FM Association works to educate health-care providers and the general public regarding these severely-disabling physical illnesses. We also support patients and their families and advocate for more effective treatment and research.

Our champion, Senator Ed Markey (D-MA), submitted a bipartisan letter to the Senate Leadership requesting ME/CFS research funding in future COVID-19 response legislation. You can see the letter here and Senator Markey's press release here. Twelve other Senators signed the letter, including Senators Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), Cory Booker (D-N.J.), Angus S. King Jr. (I-Maine), Debbie Stabenow (D-Mich.), Kyrsten Sinema (D-Ariz.), Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), Jacky Rosen (D-Nev.), Mazie Hirono (D-Hawaii), Kevin Cramer (R-N.D.), Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), Michael Bennet (D-Col.), and Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.).

If you contacted your Senators and they signed, please send them a thank you through Facebook or Twitter. If you contacted your Senators and they did not sign, please contact them again and ask why not. They will have another opportunity to support the ME/CFS community as early as next week when Senator Markey will introduce a Senate Resolution to raise awareness. And keep your eye out for our next action alert.

 

Notice about names

The Massachusetts ME/CFS & FM Association would like to clarify the use of the various acronyms for Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS), Chronic Fatigue & Immune Dysfunction Syndrome (CFIDS) and  Myalgic Encephalomyelitis (ME) on this site. When we generate our own articles on the illness, we will refer to it as ME/CFS, the term now generally used in the United States. When we are reporting on someone else’s report, we will use the term they use. The National Institutes of Health (NIH) and other federal agencies, including the CDC, are currently using ME/CFS. 

Massachusetts ME/CFS & FM Association changed its name in July, 2018, to reflect this consensus.