The Ministry for Gozo, the Banca Giuratale and the Three Hills Fountain are being illuminated in blue, green and purple on the nights of the 11th and 12th of May, to mark May 12th – International ME/CFS & FM Awareness Day – Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS), Fibromyalgia (FM) and Multiple Chemical Sensitivity (MCS).

Blue – Myalgic Encephalomyelitis (ME) or Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS) sometimes known as ME/CFS

Purple – Fibromyalgia (FM)

Green – Multiple Chemical Sensitivity (MCS) or LymeThis year, 2016, marks the 24th year for an International May the 12th Awareness Day, which originated with Tom Hennessy, the founder of RESCIND, Inc. (Repeal Existing Stereotypes about Chronic Immunological and Neurological Diseases).

Mr. Hennessy was based in the US but understood that it needed to be an International event. He designated May 12 as the International Awareness Day for the spectrum of illnesses he called Chronic Immunological and Neurological Diseases (CIND).

Mr. Hennessy said, “If a cause and cure are to be found for ME/CFS, FM, MCS and related illnesses in the near future, government and medicine must be made fully aware of their scope and impact. Despite the efforts of a number of dedicated groups and individuals, there are still vast pockets of ignorance and misunderstanding. To this day, many patients run directly into a medical establishment that, in general, knows very little about these serious threats to human health. It is therefore crucial that all those affected by the illnesses make their voices heard, especially on May 12th of each year.”May the 12th was chosen as it coincided with the birth date of Florence Nightingale, the English army nurse who inspired the founding of the International Red Cross. Florence Nightingale became chronically ill in her mid-thirties with a Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome type of illness. She was often bedridden for the last 50 years of her life. But despite suffering from such a debilitating illness, she managed to found the world’s first School of Nursing.

Mr. Hennessy included ME/CFS (also known as Chronic Fatigue and Immune Dysfunction Syndrome – CFIDS), Fibromyalgia, Multiple Chemical Sensitivity and Gulf War Syndrome under the CIND umbrella.

These illnesses, characterised by cognitive problems, chronic muscle and joint pain, extremely poor stamina, and numerous other symptoms, afflict people around the world in alarming numbers.

Please see ME/CFS & FM Alliance – Malta facebook page for local awareness.and assistance.

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