• Welcome to Phoenix Rising!

    Created in 2008, Phoenix Rising is the largest and oldest forum dedicated to furthering the understanding of, and finding treatments for, complex chronic illnesses such as chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS), fibromyalgia, long COVID, postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (POTS), mast cell activation syndrome (MCAS), and allied diseases.

    To become a member, simply click the Register button at the top right.

Please sign this petition!

Kati

Patient in training
Messages
5,497
You do not need to ba Canadian to sign this petition. Please show support for fellow canadian patients!

http://www.change.org/petitions/min...h-for-patients-with-myalgic-encephalomyelitis

Fund research for patients with myalgic encephalomyelitis

Greetings,

I just signed the following petition addressed to: the Honorable Leona Aglukkaq, Minister of Health of Canada.

----------------
Fund research for patients with myalgic encephalomyelitis

The Honorable Leona Aglukkaq, health minister



- Myalgic encephalomyelitis, also known as chronic fatigue syndrome, is recognized as a disabling nervous system disease, according to the World Health Organization classification of diseases.

- The 2010 Community Health Survey calculated that over 411,000 Canadians have the disease, a staggering 23% more than in 2005.

- No medical specialty is embracing this disease, resulting in patients left to their own device, or with a general practitioner who does not have the knowledge or time to deal with patients with this complex disease. Patients are literally falling through the cracks, or going from doctor to doctor on the search for competent health care. Some have simply stopped searching and have become housebound or bedbound.

- Patients are stigmatized, largely because of the misleading and inadequate other name for the disease: chronic fatigue syndrome. This is comparable to the prejudice and ignorance patients faced in the early years of HIV/AIDS. A lot of physician think ME/CFS is a psychological or psychiatric disease, which is contrary to the large body of scientific evidence

- Canadian research funding for ME/CFS in the last 10 years equals to 6 cents per patient per year for this disease.

-Some experts in the field of ME/CFS say that this disease is just as disabling as patients with progressive multiple sclerosis, congestive heart failure or late stage AIDS.

- Recent research points to chronic immune activation, autonomic nervous system dysregulation, complex pain syndrome, viral reactivation, and possible pathogens involvement as biological abnormalities found in ME/CFS patients.

-Norwegian researchers have found that 67% of patients were significantly improved by the cancer drug Rituximab. Consequently the Norwegian government apologized to its people for neglect of ME patients.

Therefore, we patients with Myalgic Encephalomyelitis (and supporters) feel we are discriminated against, left behind, and request immediate action be taken by the Canadian government:

- Research funding at the same level as other chronic disabling neurological diseases, such as multiple sclerosis, which afflicts half as many people as ME/CFS.
- Provide financial incentives for scientists to research this disease.
- Provide incentives for physicians to study and care for patients with ME/CFS.
- Encourage clinical trials with Rituximab or other drugs that are considered hopeful from the IACFS/ME, the international organization of medical professionals specializing in ME/CFS.
-Stop wasting precious money on the psychiatric research as it relates to ME/CFS.
- Provide support for all provinces to open clinics to care for patients with ME/CFS and related complex diseases, including fibromyalgia, multiple chemical sensitivities and Lyme disease.

Sincerely,

[Your name]

And please pass it along! the goal is 5000 signature by May 12th!
 

Kati

Patient in training
Messages
5,497
Thank you guys, keep them coming! so far in less than 18 hours, 225 signatures.
 

Kati

Patient in training
Messages
5,497
Thank you! Today is my birthday, so passing the 1000 mark is extra special.
 

maryb

iherb code TAK122
Messages
3,602
Location
UK
Its good to be able to sign petitions to help ME sufferers in other countries.Hopefully it wont be long before you get to your goal of 5000.
 

RUkiddingME

Senior Member
Messages
220
Location
Canada
Hi Kati; I've signed it and sent it to my facebook friends I sure hope we get the 5000 signatures needed!!! Thank you so much!!
 

Kati

Patient in training
Messages
5,497
Thank you so much Calgarynat! I so appreciate it! By the way I am Kati Ineedrituximab on Facebook, feel free to add me