usedtobeperkytina
Senior Member
- Messages
- 1,479
- Location
- Clay, Alabama
Nelda Holder, a reporter, said the articles she wrote about Ryan Baldwin were the most visited and received the most comments on the Mountain Xpress website.
Many patients joined in a campaign for him to be reunited after PANDORA was contacted about the case and garnered other patients to help.
It was successful, as Ryan was reunited with his family: http://www.mountainx.com/news/2010/010610home_for_the_holidays
A later report showed Ryan has tested positive for XMRV: http://www.mountainx.com/news/2010/091510local-family-feels-vindicated-by-breakthrough-research
When a news report receives many comments, then the editor will want the reporter to follow the story, doing more articles. And in this case, the news reports contributed to much more awareness.
This happened because of the many patients uniting and taking action through their keyboards and the Internet.
This is one form of advocacy and it does work. We know there are also many other advocacy efforts. When we work together or work independently toward the same goal, we can make a difference. Attitudes are changing. And changing attitudes is the first step to changing the way we are treated. This then leads to more research funding, more people diagnosed, educated physicians, etc.
We wanted to thank any and all patients who helped with this, even if you think posting a comment on a news article doesn't do anything, now you know it does.
Tina
Many patients joined in a campaign for him to be reunited after PANDORA was contacted about the case and garnered other patients to help.
It was successful, as Ryan was reunited with his family: http://www.mountainx.com/news/2010/010610home_for_the_holidays
A later report showed Ryan has tested positive for XMRV: http://www.mountainx.com/news/2010/091510local-family-feels-vindicated-by-breakthrough-research
When a news report receives many comments, then the editor will want the reporter to follow the story, doing more articles. And in this case, the news reports contributed to much more awareness.
This happened because of the many patients uniting and taking action through their keyboards and the Internet.
This is one form of advocacy and it does work. We know there are also many other advocacy efforts. When we work together or work independently toward the same goal, we can make a difference. Attitudes are changing. And changing attitudes is the first step to changing the way we are treated. This then leads to more research funding, more people diagnosed, educated physicians, etc.
We wanted to thank any and all patients who helped with this, even if you think posting a comment on a news article doesn't do anything, now you know it does.
Tina
