• 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.

Whitney Dafoe's 38th Birthday Fundraiser for Ronald W. Davis's research

maddietod

Senior Member
Messages
2,860
I've just donated, and my CFS brain didn't notice that the default is a charge of 15% of the donation. I saw it, but assumed I had to check something to agree.

They are very quick and friendly about changing the charge.
 

Neunistiva

Senior Member
Messages
442
It's official — thanks to your generosity, we've raised more than $1.5 million for OMF funded research! OMF can now afford the microscope! :) :bow: :balloons: :trophy:

That's great news but OMF is funding 6 research centers. I'm not sure how it works but we don't know what they've earmarked those funds for. I don't think any lab can just take money as they wish.

I mean, they knew OMF'd be getting around that amount this time of year, and still they specifically asked for the microscope. It's got to be for a good reason.

They said if you want money to go to Dr. Davis's lab specifically you've got to write a remark when donating to OMF. Or just donate where Whitney Dafoe linked at the beginning

https://www.spotfund.com/story/c0668b8a-91c3-4934-a40f-9f3dbcb8967a?SFID=FindaCureForMEcfs
 

Alvin2

The good news is patients don't die the bad news..
Messages
3,024
That's great news but OMF is funding 6 research centers. I'm not sure how it works but we don't know what they've earmarked those funds for. I don't think any lab can just take money as they wish.

I mean, they knew OMF'd be getting around that amount this time of year, and still they specifically asked for the microscope. It's got to be for a good reason.

They said if you want money to go to Dr. Davis's lab specifically you've got to write a remark when donating to OMF. Or just donate where Whitney Dafoe linked at the beginning

https://www.spotfund.com/story/c0668b8a-91c3-4934-a40f-9f3dbcb8967a?SFID=FindaCureForMEcfs
The raised the fundraising target and they got pledges of matching donations.
 
Last edited:

GlassCannonLife

Senior Member
Messages
819

I don't understand this - why does Ron need to buy his own microscope? At all of the universities I worked (3 different ones in Australia but pretty sure it's the same across all), there are just university owned microscopes (and other assets) that you can pay to use per hour..

If you really need equipment that is specialised then you have to get some grant funding. I realise Ron has applied for multiple grants (yes it's very normal to get rejected constantly and apply constantly for more), but being such a well known professor from such a well known university I'm surprised by how little access he has to equipment and funding support.

If a fluorescence microscope is the biggest hurdle currently then we're further away from a cure than we realised..
 

Neunistiva

Senior Member
Messages
442
If I remember correctly funding was cut to the lab when they switched to studying ME/CFS. Anyone who knows anything about history of mistreatment of ME/CFS won't be surprised by that.

As for why they don't use Stanford's microscopes


I am also guessing that the intense work they are doing doesn't lend well to waiting in line for a microscope or renting it per hour only when it's available.

Let's just believe Dr. Ron Davis that his lab needs the microscope, shall we?

If you can, donate here

https://www.spotfund.com/story/c0668b8a-91c3-4934-a40f-9f3dbcb8967a?SFID=FindaCureForMEcfs
 

GlassCannonLife

Senior Member
Messages
819
If I remember correctly funding was cut to the lab when they switched to studying ME/CFS. Anyone who knows anything about history of mistreatment of ME/CFS won't be surprised by that.

As for why they don't use Stanford's microscopes


I am also guessing that the intense work they are doing doesn't lend well to waiting in line for a microscope or renting it per hour only when it's available.

Let's just believe Dr. Ron Davis that his lab needs the microscope, shall we?

If you can, donate here

https://www.spotfund.com/story/c0668b8a-91c3-4934-a40f-9f3dbcb8967a?SFID=FindaCureForMEcfs

You'd normally book as many hours as you'd need in a row.. But yeah I'm not sure how it works in America.

It makes sense that they just chose a piece of equipment for people to contribute to as it is an easier goal to visualise than something like "money for general lab use".
 

EtherSpin

Senior Member
Messages
257
Location
Melbourne , Australia
I am also guessing that the intense work they are doing doesn't lend well to waiting in line for a microscope or renting it per hour only when it's available.

Let's just believe Dr. Ron Davis that his lab needs the microscope, shall we?

YES - it can be seen in any workplace that has multiple departments or faculties doing different work to each other. having your own dedicated piece of equipment is 10X more effective than loaning/borrowing/signing in to use something because you can investigate every little thought bubble you have as soon as you have it, you don't need to be economical with your lateral thinking
 

Neunistiva

Senior Member
Messages
442
I think we just had a misunderstanding - Im agreeing with you and saying there is very good reason for them to need the item, not just be able to borrow it from time to time or hire it.
thanks and have the best day possible :)
Sorry, I'm obviously completely incapable of understanding anything since I became very severe. Sorry for wasting your time, I hope I haven't upset you, my lack of understanding must have been so annoying. I'll just keep my mouth shut.
 

EtherSpin

Senior Member
Messages
257
Location
Melbourne , Australia
Sorry, I'm obviously completely incapable of understanding anything since I became very severe. Sorry for wasting your time, I hope I haven't upset you, my lack of understanding must have been so annoying. I'll just keep my mouth shut.
I do the same thing with astonishing regularity so it's nice and actually validating to see you say that it happens to you. I've had people outside the CFS community just mercilessly berate and shame me and say things like "no way your could physically be this stupid!"

It's a pleasure to make your acquaintance and definitely don't sweat it. I thought immediately we had just missed each other's meaning 😸
 

lenora

Senior Member
Messages
4,926
OK....I'm a little confused. Are we still trying to reach a monetary goal or not? On the one hand, I see that it has been reached (just over $30,000) but the closest I can find to a date is 2021.

Since we're now in 2022 are we starting another fundraiser and should we go to Spotify on Twitter in order to donate (personally, I don't want any social forums). Kindly let me know....I'd be happy to help, but there are some questions out there. I think the Davis family has all done a splendid job with respect to this matter. A response from someone would be appreciated. Thank-you. Yours, Lenora.