Awareness Day

It is estimated that there over 7000 ME sufferers in Northern Ireland, and the figures for Fibromyalgia are even higher. Currently, there are no effective treatments, yet many M.E. patients remain bed bound from onset and disabled for life. These illnesses affect men, women and children of all backgrounds and the cause is unknown.

Myalgic Encephalomyelitis, sometimes referred to as Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS); is a neurological and autoimmune disease characterized by overwhelming fatigue, pain, headaches, cardiac
symptoms, immune disorder, dizziness, and balance problems.

Fibromyalgia (FM) is characterized by severe musculoskeletal pain and tenderness in many areas of the body, along with fatigue and sleep dysfunction, generalized or regional stiffness, and in some cases neurological and cognitive symptoms. The condition is long-term and painful.

Hope 4 M.E. and Fibromyalgia Support Group are actively campaigning for better services in Northern Ireland.

Thank you to ALL who bought and sold May 12th awareness ribbons this year. So far, a massive £298 has been raised!

We couldn't have done it without our nimble fingered ribbon makers; Shirley Briggs, Rosie Bradley and Valerie Crozier. This money will be used for printing educational information being included in our new presentation packs for professionals.

Additionally, more visual info is also being printed for new member's packs to help patients better understand the wide range of symptoms of ME and Fibro.

We feel this will be beneficial to newly diagnosed patients who are usually feeling confused and frightened by some of the many weird and wonderful symptoms these diseases throw at us!

From 2015 - It was wonderful to see all the global 'Light up the Night' this year! It looks like this event is growing at a mighty rate thanks to all the hard work from patients all over the world.

It's been a very busy year so were late getting organised and the last confirmation of one event arrived at 10.15pm on 11th May so you can imagine the panic!

All Light up events were well supported and two severely affected members did local newspaper articles.

The atmosphere on May 12th held the usual excitement and we were delighted that a number of Government officials joined us and local journalists took photos and notes of what the evening was all about.

Our new Super Council for Newry, Mourne and Down proclaimed the day as official May 12th Awareness for all ME and FMS patients in this part of Northern Ireland and the proclamation was displayed on their webpage.

A local MLA read the Proclamation at our monthly meeting, much to the delight of our members attending. We had some buffet food including cupcakes with edible butterflies and sold awareness ribbons with nicely decorated broaches.
108 Awareness ribbons were sent to Jo-Anne Dobson MLA who distributed to ALL MLAs in Stormont Buildings where many Government officials wore them to show support for all patients in N.I.

I have contact with the teacher of an orphanage in Pakistan and the children even sent support by making and wearing awareness ribbons and also lit candles as their light up event. I was deeply honoured and moved by this token of support from those who have nothing yet took the time to send such lovely thoughts.

Half of the income from ribbon sales is being donated to The 25% Group, based in Scotland, this group dedicates its resources to the most severely affected bed bound patients.

We are already making plans for 2016 to hopefully make the events bigger and better than ever before and we also hope to link up with groups and friends from The Republic of Ireland and the UK mainland. Some recovery time is still needed but it will be full steam ahead towards 2016 when able!

The Lord Mayor of Newry, Michael Ruane, has today declared that Newry City recognizes May 12th as International M.E. and Fibromyalgia Awareness Day.

On Monday 12th May 2014, Newry & Mourne ME/FMS Support Group held a fundraising evening and a celebration of ME/FMS Awareness day. The night was held in The Arts Centre Newry, and began with the Lord Mayor of Newry Michael Ruane officially opening the event. He also declared that from this year on Newry City will officially recognize May 12th as ME/FMS Awareness Day.

Guests Dominic Bradley MLA, Danny Kennedy MLA, Mickey Brady MLA and Councilor Andy Moffat, were welcomed and some spoke of the work Newry & Mourne Support Group are currently involved in.

All members had a meal, provided by Courtney’s catering and The Shelbourne Bakery provided a beautiful cake to celebrate the Support Group's 3rd Birthday.

Afterwards a raffle took place, before the main event in the theatre. Dale Thomas provided the evening’s entertainment, as comedy hypnotist and Garth Brooks Impersonator.

Members had photos taken to advocate for ME/FMS, and Newry City Hall and Arts Centre were lit up blue for Awareness Day. Craigavon Civic Centre and Bessbrook Town Hall also went blue for ME/FMS awareness.

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