This section contains references to mentions of ME/CFS across Australian and international media outlets. If you would like to tell your own story of ME/CFS and to have it included on this website, please submit it by email.
- Newspaper articles - Australian - updated 7th September 2010
- Newspaper articles - International - updated 7th September 2010
- Television and radio reports - updated 7th September 2010
- Press releases
- Online videos, films and audio recordings - updated 7th September 2010
- Letters to the editor
Newspaper Articles - Australian
Fenech, K (2010) 'Mystery disease specialist snubbed by WA doctors', WA Today, 7th September 2010.
Fenech, K (2010) 'Theda suicidal as in-home treatment refused', WA Today, 6th September 2010.
[Unknown; The Washington Post] (2010) 'Virus link to chronic fatigue gives hope to sufferers finding a cure', Sydney Morning Herald, 25th August 2010.
Shepparton News Weekly (2010) 'Group makes a difference to lives', Shepparton News Weekly, 19th August 2010.
Rabalais, K (2010) 'Out of the shadows', The Australian, 14th August 2010.
Mills, Tammy (2010) 'Living with CFS' Shepparton News Weekly, 29th July 2010. Page 1, Page 2, Page 3.
Benter, Alyssa (2010) 'Unfair treatment of patients with a chronic illness', Portland Observer, 28th July (entry from school exercise, published in local paper).
Benson, Kate (2010) 'Court grants Lyme disease autopsy', Sydney Morning Herald, 20th July, accessed 27/7/10.
Maddocks, Tristan (2010) 'The art of healing hearts', Cranbourne Journal, 31st May 2010.
Sarah's stall at the Old Cheese Factory Crafters Market is easy to spot. A sea of red, black and white, its selection of quirky, homemade items attracts curious customers from across the market floor.
Moir, Ross (2010) 'Alyssa is plain tired of chronic fatigue', Portland Observer, 14th May 2010.
Last year Alyssa went from being a happy, energetic thirteen year old dancer to a sore, tired girl dealing with a serious illness.
Rose, Danny (2010) 'CFS link prompts blood donation review', The Age, 20th April 2010.
Australia's Red Cross Blood Service is reviewing its donation guidelines after Canada halted donations from people who have had chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS).
Fitall, Karen (2010) 'Why glandular fever doesn't exist', Herald Sun/Daily Telegraph, 18th April 2010.
WHATEVER happened to ...Chronic fatigue, Glandular Fever AND Seasonal Affective Disorder? Karen Fittall investigates the diseases that seem to have disappeared.
Pryor, Sian (2010) 'Hard to stomach', Sydney Morning Herald, 9th April 2010.
Food allergies, intolerances and malabsorption are on the rise around the world, with increasing numbers of people unable to stomach anything with gluten or dairy products or nuts or seafood or excess fructose or fructans, galactans and polyols (and if you've never heard of those last three, then half your luck).
Sonti, Chalpat (2010) 'Theda's health deteriorates as family wait', WA Today, 5th March 2010.
Theda Myint is beginning to pay the price for publicising her life-threatening illness, with her condition deteriorating every time she speaks out.
Sonti, Chalpat (2010) 'Theda's desperate fight against a chronic killer', WA Today, 2nd March 2010.
Theda Myint had the world at her feet. Bright, beautiful and vivacious, the budding investigative journalist was weeks away from starting her dream career. Now, 10 years later, she is fighting for her life.
Hefling, Kimberly (2010) 'US reconsiders Gulf War claims', WA Today, 27th February 2010.
The US Veterans Affairs Department says it will look again at the rejected claims of veterans who say their Gulf War service caused a mysterious illness, the first step toward potentially compensating them nearly two decades after the war ended.
University of Queensland (2010) 'UQ scholarshop student shows chronic fatigue is no match for persistence', UQ News, 21st February 2010.
First year UQ student, Clarissa Womack, hopes that her persistence and ability to stay focused will be an inspiration to those who have a medical condition, when she finally begins her Bachelor of Engineering/ Bachelor of Science in March.
Stark, Jill (2010) 'Inpatient program swamped by children with chronic fatigue', The Age, 7th February 2010.
Dr Lionel Lubitz, paediatrician at the Austin hospital and consultant at Australia's only adolescent CFS clinic, says the clinic treats about 30 children a year, mostly aged 13 to 16, who are so ill they have to be hospitalised, compared to 18 patients two years ago. Fifty more are seen as outpatients. An estimated 1 in 200 Australian adolescents suffer from chronic fatigue syndrome, and Dr Lubitz believes about 2500 Victorian children have the condition, many undiagnosed.
(2009) 'New findings connect diet and intestinal bacteria with healthier immune systems', Garvan Institute, 29th October.
Insoluble dietary fibre, or roughage, not only keeps you regular, say Australian scientists, it also plays a vital role in the immune system, keeping certain diseases at bay.
Courier Mail: Breakthrough made in chronic fatigue study
Posted: October 9, 2009
CHRONIC Fatigue Syndrome (CFS), a mysterious and debilitating exhaustion that is not relieved by sleep, appears to be linked to a retrovirus, researchers announced overnight in a breakthrough study.
Australian Nurses Journal: Serious Condition Misunderstood
Posted: 10th September 2009
The Australian Nurses Journal features a short interview with ME/CFS Australia (Victoria)'s Health Promotion Co-ordinator, Alison Copley, about misunderstandings surrounding ME/CFS.
Herald Sun: I'd rather have cancer, says Alex Wilson-Glab
Posted: August 19, 2009
The Melbourne Herald Sun interviews 18 year old Alex Wilson-Glab, who has severe ME/CFS and has barely been out of bed in ten years and dreams of a good night's sleep.
The Australian: Chronic Fatigue Syndrome can be beaten
Posted: 15th August 2009
Amy Clissold knows all too well that chronic fatigue syndrome has a shady reputation. The 24-year-old knows it's linked to everything from Gulf War syndrome and attention deficit disorder to depression and childhood trauma.
The Age: Pain comes with a $34 billion price tag, by Tamara McLean
Posted: 19th November 2007
Persistent pain costs Australia $34 billion a year, and only 10 per cent of sufferers are actually getting relief from their distress, a new report has found.
ABC Online: Genes linked to chronic fatigue syndrome
Posted: 5th July 2007
Research conducted by the University of New South Wales has shed new light on chronic fatigue syndrome.
Australian Doctor: A patient's story: ME/CFS
Posted: 13th September 2006
Carol is a volunteer for the ME/CFS Australia (Victoria) Information and Support line. Here she talks about the experience she and her daughter had with ME/CFS.
The Age: Chronic fatigue takes toll on teens, by Liz Gooch
Posted: December 11, 2004
Article on the Austin Hospital CFS program and its effect on young people with ME/CFS.
Newspaper Articles - International
[Unknown] (2010) 'New evidence links chronic fatigue to virus', Otago Daily Times, 30th August.
Mercieca, Nikki Abela (2010) 'When doctors cannot diagnose disorders', Times of Malta, 29th August 2010.
[Unkown; AP foreign] (2010) 'Mouse virus link to chronic fatigue is studied', Guardian.Co.Uk, 26th August.
McMurray, Jenna (2010) 'Researchers hope to prove viral cause of fatigue', Calgary Sun, 26th August.
Greensmith, J (2010) 'Letter from Dr John H. Greensmith', Swindon Advertiser, 25th August 2010.
Orpen, Joy (2010) 'Hidden enemy: ME', Sunday Independent, 22nd August, accessed 24/8/10.
Tuller, David (2010) 'Delay in release of study on chronic fatigue syndrome prompts and outcry', New York Times, 14th July, accessed 15/7/10.
Connor, Steve (2010) 'Study that 'solves' chronic fatigue syndrome blocked', The Independent, 9th July, accessed 15/7/10.
Scurr, Martin (2010) 'Ask the doctor: By the way... at last I've been convinced that ME is real', Mail Online, 7th June, accessed 1/7/10.
Sawyer, Antoaneta (2010) 'Inflammation at the root of most modern diseases', The Examiner, May 27th, accessed 5/8/10.
Frampton, Will (2010) 'Bradford on Avon pals saddle up for charity bid', The Wiltshire Times, 24th May, accessed 27/5/10.
Nguyen, Linda (2010) 'Chronic-illness group voices call for national diagnostic clinic', The Montreal Gazette (CAN), May 13th, accessed 17/5/10.
Spendiff, Sarah (2010) 'Real life: The long goodbye', The Irish Independent (UK), 8th March 2010.
Summary: Criona Wilson heard the old war song in her head, Now Is The Hour We Must Say Goodbye, and knew her daughter, Sophia, was about to die. The former midwife from Ennis, Co Clare, had been nursing her youngest through years of chronic ME, watching as the disease stole every part of her, bit by agonising bit.
[Unknown; Devon Editorial] (2010) 'Why ME sufferer Emma is learning to live again' Devon24 (UK), February 24th, accessed 28/2/10.
Summary: Emma Webb's life changed forever without warning. What happened to her could happen to you. The 35-year-old mum from Dunkeswell has spoken to the Midweek Herald in the hope of encouraging other people in her situation to come together, to form a social and support group.
Manchester Evening News (UK): Cuts doom plans for ME clinics
Posted: 18th February 2010
Health bosses have pulled the plug on two new ME clinics in Tameside and Glossop in a bid to claw back a big budget deficit.
Belfast Telegraph (IRE):A nurse, hillwaker, charity worker and keen traveller... snapshots from a life stolen by the mystery illness ME
Posted: 16th February 2010
Co Down man Horace Reid has a deal of sympathy with Kay Gilderdale, the woman who went on trial accused of the attempted murder of her daughter who was suffering from ME.
The ME Association (UK): Breaking the ME enigma - Twenty key figures sign letter in the Daily Telegraph
Posted: 6th February 2010
A joint letter appealing to the nation to start taking ME seriously appears in The Daily Telegraph today. It is signed by 20 leading figures in the ME debate – including parliamentarians, clinicians, researchers and figures from the ME national organisations and patient support groups.
The New Hampshire (US): Chemical consideration for the Human Canaries
Posted: 2nd February 2010
Letter to the editor, pleading consideration for people who have severe MCS.
The Northern Echo (UK): (Letter) ME tragedy demands action, by Sir Peter Spencer
Posted: 2nd February 2010
Letter to the editor, regarding the case of Lynn Gilderdale and the need for ME funding.
The Mail Online (UK): Lynn's lasting legacy for the victims of ME
Posted: 29th January 2010
The day she was diagnosed with ME, Lynn Gilderdale would not have felt doomed. She would not have believed it to be a death sentence. She would not even have imagined the dreadful excuse for a young life that lay ahead. She would, with tragic irony, probably have been happy. Her family would, too.
The Independent (UK): ME case study: 'She told me that she did not want to carry on'
Posted: 27th January 2010
At the age of 11, Kate Charles was a promising schoolgirl. Her aptitude for English was such that her teachers said she was ready to sit her GCSE five years early. Then, after a routine tonsil removal, a downward spiral of debilitating symptoms slowly turned this bright energetic child into a bedbound and despairing sufferer of chronic ME.
The Independent (UK): Free, woman who ended her daughter's ME misery
Posted: 26th January 2010
A mother walked free from court yesterday after being cleared of the attempted murder of her disabled daughter, in a case in which the judge personally praised the jury for its humane verdict.
The Times Online (UK): Devoted mother Kay Gilderdale should never have been prosecuted, says judge
Posted: 26th January 2010
A High Court judge has criticised the Director of Public Prosecutions for personally pursuing an attempted murder charge against a “selfless and devoted” mother who helped her acutely ill daughter fulfil her wish to die.
The Times Online (UK): Doctors, school friends thought I was faking chronic fatigue syndrome
Posted: 25th January 2010
It says a lot about the public perception of myalgic encephalomyelitis (ME) that it is a surprise to find that Nicola Warner is lively, positive and talks a lot. That’s the initial impression anyway. It’s only when you spend a little time in her company that you notice a certain stillness or perhaps sadness in her face and it becomes obvious that she is not entirely well.
The Argus (UK): ME treatment in Sussex still needs to improve
Posted: 14th December 2009
The All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) has recently published an interim report on its inquiry into the NHS services available for ME/CFS.
New York Times (US): Expert Answers on Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
Posted: November 24, 2009
Dr. Nancy G. Klimas, who serves on the board of the International Association for Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, responds to readers’ questions regarding the link between XMRV and CFS.
Chemical Sensitivity Network: German Medical Association warns: "Swine flu vaccine" unsuitable for patients suffering from environmental diseases and other chronic multi-system illnesses
Posted: 26th October, 2009
From the German Professional Association of Environmental Medicine (Deutscher Berufsverband der Uweltmediziner - DBU).
Los Angeles Times (US): Anti-viral drug found to reduce severity of mono, by Shari Roan
Posted: September 21, 2009
The so-called kissing disease is commonly treated only with rest. But in a study, young people who received an antiviral medication early in the illness became less sick.
The Daily Mail (UK): Paralysed cancer drug girl to be put on at-risk register ‘to shut her up’, by Jan Disley
Posted: September 20, 2009
A mother who is planning legal action against a pharmaceutical giant – claiming her daughter was left partially paralysed after having an anti-cancer vaccine – has been told the teenager is to be put on the social services ‘at-risk’ register.
Times Online (UK): Pamela Weston explains her assisted suicide, by John Arlidge & Sarah-Kate Templeton
Posted: September 20, 2009
After a diagnosis of ME and years of pain and suffering, Pamela Weston made the decision to end her life through assisted suicide.
The Guardian (UK): Listen to your body after swine flu, by Emine Saner
Posted: 23rd July 2009
Rushing back to work after swine flu could be dangerous. Taking your time to recover is the best way to avoid complications.
Daily Telegraph: Illness among cabin crew heightens toxic air fears, by Charles Starmer-Smith
Posted: 17th July 2009
A survey of pilots and crew has found alarmingly high levels of illnesses they have contracted since beginning work for airlines.
Cambridge News: Battling illness day at a time
Posted: 11th July 2009
Cambridge News interviews Jeff Gerrard, a previously fit twenty-seven year old successful business man who has been managing ME/CFS for nearly thirty years.
South Wales Echo: ME sufferers plead for research into their illness
Posted: 8th July 2009
South Wales Echo interview Eleanor, an ex fluatist; Sharon an aspiring Commonwealth Games gymnast; and Michelle who hasn’t been able to complete school regarding their ME/CFS.
Irish Medical Times: Belfast born doctor pushes ME research, by Dara Gantly
Posted: 19th June 2009
Interview with Dr Derek Enlander, a Belfast-born doctor who specialises in the diagnosis and treatment of Myalgic Encepalomyelitis (ME) - also known as Chronic Fatigue Syndrome - at his New York practice.
The Telegraph (UK): ME: Proof that it isn't all in the mind?, by Liz Hunt
Posted: 1st June 2009
Anna's deterioration was rapid and unrelenting. One moment the pretty, young Scandinavian woman was at the peak of youthful vitality, newly married and excited about the future. The next, that future was much diminished, her life limited to the environs of her bedroom, and dictated to by the illness that had overwhelmed her.
Phoenix Rising (US): Listen to ME: An ME/CFS patient recovers
Posted: May 2009
The next thing I expected to hear about Mike Dessin was that he was dead. His case of ME/CFS had progressed far, far beyond what most people face, and quite frankly, I shuddered to think of what he was going through. That was over a year ago. In early May I got an e-mail from him. This is what he told me...
Telegraph: Ceravix: The simple injection causing so much controversy, by Byrony Gordon
Posted: 15th March 2009
The cervical cancer jab Cervarix is currently under scrutiny after nearly 1,500 Britons have experienced adverse reactions to it.
Television and Radio Reports
Macey, J (2010) 'PM - Mouse virus found in chronic fatigue syndrome', ABC PM Program (radio), 24th August 2010. Transcript available.
Erwine, Dan (2010) 'Chronic fatigue [syndrome]: Dan Erwine looks at research into the causes of chronic fatigue syndrome being conducted in Reno by the Whittemore-Peterson Institute', KUNR FM, Nevada Newsline Program, broadcast 6/8/2010.
Chronic fatigue syndrome by the Open Medicine Institute
Posted: 21st July 2010
Chronic fatigue syndrome. Find out about this debilitating disease that affects millions.
Marg Purcell on ABC Radio 774, ME/CFS Awareness Week
Posted: 12th May 2010
Richard Stubbs talks to Marg Purcell about her progress in recovery over the last twelve months. Access the 2009 interview here, and the 2010 interview here.
Virus linked to prostate cancer and chronic fatigue syndrome
Posted: 12th April 2010
Professor Myra McClure from the Imperial College London talks about the remarkable and incredibly controversial finding of a virus linked to prostate cancer and a tantalising link to chronic fatigue syndrome.
Program helps disabled students into workforce
Posted: 4th December 2009
A national internship program is aiming to help university students with disabilities get valuable work experience with well-known businesses.
Short video on ME from NZ On Screen: Open Door Series - M. E.
Posted: 22nd September 2009
'M.E.' is a short video produced for the 'Open Door' series in New Zealand. Open Door allows groups or individuals to apply to make a documentary about an issue that involves or concerns them. To see the video, please click here. DVD is available for purchase from Morningside Productions.
Researchers claim cure for ME may not be far away - Sky News
Posted: 13th June 2009
Despite affecting up o 240,000 people in the UK, the true nature of M.E. has eluded scientists. A group's been set up to examine the condition and try to work out a prevention - there are claims that a cure may be near. Sky's Emma Birchley reports.
Marg Purcell on 774 Melbourne with Richard Stubbs
Posted: 18th May 2009
On International ME/CFS Awareness Day (12th May) 2009, author Marg Purcell talked to Richard Stubbs on 774 ABC Melbourne about her experiences with ME/CFS. To listen to the interview, click here...
Dr. Donald Lewis on '9am with David & Kim'
Posted: 15th May 2008
On the 15th May 2008 ME/CFS Australia (Victoria) member Imogen Newhouse appeared on Channel 10's morning show with Dr. Donald Lewis, talking about her experiences of ME/CFS. Details here...
'Prime time live' story on chronic fatigue syndrome (circa 1996)
Posted: 2010
Press Releases
DoctorMyhill.Co.Uk: A test for Chronic Fatigue Syndrome/ME, by Dr. Sarah Myhill
Posted: 20th January 2009
Online Videos, Films and Audio Recordings
Video: McCarrick films, 'All about ME', 1st September 2010.
Part 1: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dWp5W7kHEVo&NR=1
Part 2: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-XhCekXdTBY&NR=1
Audio: Goff, Stephen, 2010, 'XMRV: A virus that may cause prostate cancer', Sound Medicine, 18th July, accessed 4/8/10.
Video: Double D Productions, 2009, What about ME? (5.52mins, short video of 'the story of the illness')
Video: CFIDS Association of America, October 2009: Solve CFS Campaign, What Would You Do
Video: CFIDS Association of America, October 2009: Wilhemina Jenkins shares her story of the cognitive problems she experiences from having ME/CFS
