May is international ME awareness month centered around ME Awareness Day on 12th May.
The month offers a great opportunity to raise awareness of the debilitating disease which affects around 250,000 in the UK. It’s expected that around 7,500 people in Leeds have the disease.
Charities across the world celebrate the month and big day in many different ways – there’s lots to look forward to!
Leeds Millions Missing – 12th May
This year Millions Missing campaigns are being hosted online – making it the most accessible year to date!
Leeds Millions Missing campaign will go live on May 12th on both Facebook and the website. You can here more about Leeds plan here.
Leeds Millions Missing is asking people with ME across Leeds and Yorkshire to send in their ‘selfies’ to appear in the online campaign.
If you’d like to get involved, and live with ME in Yorkshire, please take a photo of yourself holding up a sign/piece of paper that says either #LeedsMillionsMissing or #MillionsMissing to be shared on the day. Please send all photos by Sunday 2nd May.
Once you have taken a photo please send it via Leeds Millions Missing Facebook page or email it to: contact@me-and-me.blog
#MEAction UK – 12th May!
#MillionsMissing has always had a great impact virtually. Once again this year, #MillionsMissing will be virtual with many different opportunities for the community to engage with each other and take action.
This is #MEAction’s 6th anniversary of #MillionsMissing, a global movement powered by #MEAction to raise awareness and fight for recognition, education and research for people living with Myalgic Encephalomyelitis (ME) (or ME/CFS).
Since 2016, #MEAction has bought the commuinity of people with ME, caregivers and allies together to raise awareness and demand action. This year is more important than ever before as millions more will develop ME after COVID-19 infection.
Action for ME – ME Awareness month
Action for ME is asking people with ME to join their #yearsinlockdown campaign by taking a photo holding up a sign to share how many years they’re been poorly for. The aim is to highlight that though lockdown is legally easing for most, many people with the disease are still forced in doors by their health.
You can learn more about Action for ME’s campaign and take part by clicking here.
Keep an eye out throughout May as more campaigns go live – watch this space!
ME and Me 