During Solve M.E.’s ME/CFS Advocacy Day 2018, 102 people with myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS) and their loved ones joined us in the largest Capitol Hill action for the disease to date. Advocates from across the country called for action and funding for ME/CFS research as part of the second annual ME/CFS Advocacy Day. Throughout the day the patients, caregivers, Solve M.E. staff and board members met with 122 congressional offices.
Actor Amy Carlson (Blue Bloods) and Congressman Gus Bilirakis of Florida joined the event addressing participants during a Capitol Hill reception concluding the second annual ME/CFS Advocacy Day.
Together, we accomplished:
- 122 meetings with congressional offices
- 16 meetings face-to-face with Members of Congress
- The bi-partisan introduction of a Senate resolution for ME/CFS; S. Res 508, “Supporting the goals of Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome International Awareness Day”
- Bipartisan requests for a hearing about ME/CFS in the U.S. House of Representatives
- Over 95 states and districts represented
- 102 ME/CFS advocates visited Capitol Hill
ME/CFS Advocacy Week 2018: Taking Congress by storm
A Special “Thank You” to…
So many people contributed to make ME/CFS Advocacy Week a resounding success and Solve M.E. would like to recognize three special individuals who went above and beyond.
Amy Carlson, Actress (BlueBloods) a fearless advocate and compassionate voice on behalf of ME/CFS
John Long, Minnosota advocate who went the extra mile to bring his state delegation into the conversation
SMCI Board member Bill Hassler and his wife, Mary Gay Sprague, for making a very special reception and networking opportunity possible on Capitol Hill
