Thanks for taking the time to visit my JustGiving page.

I would like to raise some coppers for a project close to my heart, the Let's do it for M.E campaign for Invest in M.E. 

As most people know, I have had M.E now for 13 years.  Approximately 250,00 people in the UK are believed to suffer from ME: a serious neuro-immune disease for which there is currently no cure and few effective treatments.  It is a severe, complex, acquired illness with numerous symptoms related mainly to the dysfunction of the brain, gastro-intestinal, immune, endocrine and cardiac systems. One in four sufferers are severely affected, bedridden or housebound, as a result of their condition whilst 10% of sufferers here in the UK are children.

Some people are so ill they remain bedridden for years, unable to move, speak or even swallow.  Others are less severely affected but still find their lives incredibly limited by the illness.  The most typical symptom of M.E is post-exertional neuro-immune exhaustion. This means a sufferer can become severely ill after carrying out even the most basic of mental or physical tasks. 

Previous studies have suggested that 80% of all sufferers from M.E will never recover.  Whilst there is a signficant amount of scientific evidence and research into the disease and its effects, there is still no cohesive strategy for using this research to investigate effective and long-term treatments to help sufferers and improve their quality of life. 

Invest in M.E, a small M.E charity, is trying to address this by setting up a centre for biomedical research and treatment based at the University of East Anglia in Norwich, UK.  The centre will aim to translate scientific findings and evidence from research into applicable treatments for people suffering from M.e, focusing on immunology and virology.  The proposals are amongst the most advanced possible and will also provide training for future healthcare professionals. 

The Let's do it for M.E project is a patient-driven campaign raising funds for Invest in M.E's proposed treatment centre at the University of East Anglia.  Such a centre gives me hope and so I would like to raise a bit of money towards it.  Being housebound with M.E, the usual fundraising activities like marathon running, climbing mountain peaks are not possible. As I'm housebound the internet is a real life saver for me, connecting me to the outside world.  At my worse five years ago, I was unable to use the internet or watch tv.  Now I can log on daily, but i must pace it if I don't want to bring on the post exertional neuro immune exhaustion.  The challenge I've set myself is to go screen free for the weekend March 10th - March 11th, not logging on to my pc, i phone or watching tv.  I might have to take up cross stitch or even read a book...

If you would be so kind as to make a small donation, I would be so grateful.  Thank you for reading.

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