This section contains references to mentions of ME/CFS across Australian and international media outlets.
- Newspaper articles - Australian - updated 31st January 2011
- Newspaper articles - International - updated 4th February 2011
- Television and radio reports - Australian - updated 9th February 2011
- Television and radio reports - International - updated 23rd March 2011
- Online videos, films and audio recordings - updated 25th February 2011
Newspaper Articles - Australian
Dadson, Manika (2011) 'Illness proves to be no barrier for determined young acheiver' The Examiner, October 24.
Rickard, Lucy (2011) 'Awareness day Theda's last shred of hope', WA Today, May 12.
Sheridan, Ainsleigh (2011) ‘Windsor Seniors Dance Club Waltz Against Fatigue’, Stonnington Leader, April 22.
Rickard, Lucy (2011) ‘Chronic fatigue victim Theda Myint locked up at Fremantle Hospital after euthanasia attempt’, WA Today, April 20.
D'Arcy, John (2011) 'New Idea: Youth Health Q & A: Is there a medical test for chronic fatigue syndrome and what's your advice for dealing with it?', New Idea Magazine, January 31.
Arndt, Dinah (2011) 'Family reaches out to fatigue sufferers', Tasmanian Examiner, January 27.
Henderson, Jenni (2011) 'One case of Barmah Forest Virus confirmed in Swan Hill', ABC News Online Mildura - Swan Hill, January 7.
[Unknown] (2010) 'Mum backs player on rival side', Knox Leader, December 14.
[AAP] (2010) 'Top brains tackle chronic fatigue syndrome', Sydney Morning Herald, December 3.
Mantis, Toula (2010) 'In search of non-toxic housing for health's sake' YouCommNews (online), November 9th.
ME/CFS Australia (Victoria) (2010) 'Making sense of CFS: Fatigue, facts and figures', Contact [supplement to Pharmacy magazine], October-November 2010. Page 1, Page 2, Page 3.
Campbell, Jo (2010) 'Sick and tired', In My Community, Hills Gazette, October 2nd.
Twidale, Kasey (2010) 'New study links HIV-type disease to chronic fatigue syndrome', Quest Community Newspapers, September 30th.
Wallace, Louise (2010) 'Response to CFS seminar 'pitiful'', Australian Doctor, September 15th.
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.
Summary: 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.
Summary: 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.
Summary: 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.
Summary: 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.
Summary: 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.
Summary: 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.
Summary: 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.
Summary: 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.
Summary: 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.
Summary: 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.
Summary: 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.
[Unknown, AP Correspondents] (2009) 'Breakthrough made in chronic fatigue study', Courier Mail, 9th October.
Summary: 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.
Copley, Alison (2009) 'Serious Condition Misunderstood', Australian Nurses Journal, 10th September.
Summary: 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.
Pilcher, Georgie (2009) 'I'd rather have cancer, says Alex Wilson-Glab', Herald Sun, 19th August.
Summary: 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.
Sheehan, Benjamin (2009) 'Chronic Fatigue Syndrome can be beaten', The Australian, 15th August 2009.
Summary: 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.
McLean, Tamara (2007) 'Pain comes with a $34 billion price tag', The Age, 19th November.
Summary: 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.
[Unknown] (2007) 'Genes linked to chronic fatigue syndrome', ABC News Online, 5th July.
Summary: Research conducted by the University of New South Wales has shed new light on chronic fatigue syndrome.
[Unknown] (2006) 'A patient's story: ME/CFS', Australian Doctor Journal,13th September.
Summary: 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.
Gooch, Liz (2004) 'Chronic fatigue takes toll on teens', The Age, 11th December.
Summary: Article on the Austin Hospital CFS program and its effect on young people with ME/CFS.
Newspaper Articles - International
McKie, Robin (2011) 'Chronic fatigue syndrome researchers face death threats from militants', The Observer, August 21.
[Unknown] (2011) 'Cruel taunts as teen battles health condition', The Shields Gazette, August 3.
Collins, Gemma (2011) 'MRI scans show CFS link to brain changes', 6 Minutes, May 13.
Montoya, J (2011) 'Hope for chronic fatigue syndrome', Stanford Medicine Newsletter, vol. 8, Spring, May.
[Unknown] (2011) 'Group's three peaks challenge', Driffield Times, May 18.
Leonard, Wendy (2011) 'Chronic fatigue, fibromyalgia cause 'bone-crushing fatigue,' pain for many', Deseret News, May 13.
[Unknown] (2011) ‘Amy: I want people to know more about ME’, Chorley Guardian, May 9.
Gilderdale, Kay (2011) ‘How I helped my darling daughter to die’ Mail Online, April 14.
Bernhard, Toni (2011) ‘The Stigma of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome’ Psychology Today, April 10.
Rettner, Rachel (2011) ‘Chronic fatigue syndrome proves chronically mysterious’ LiveScience, April 4.
Clare, Jane (2011) ‘Wirral girl defies ME illness to set sponsored walk challenge’ Wirral News, March 22.
[Unknown] (2011) 'Sick and tired of being called lazy, chronic fatigue (sic) sufferers fight back', The Globe and Mail (CAN), March 20.
Dockser-Marcus, Amy (2011) 'The puzzle of chronic fatigue syndrome' New York Times, March 5.
Parker-Pope, Tara (2011) 'An author escapes chronic fatigue syndrome', New York Times, February 4.
Bernhard, Toni (2011) 'Learning to live a full life with chronic illness', National Public Radio, January 31.
Carswell, Patricia (2011) 'Getting back to health', The National, January 31.
Cargill, Joanne (2011) 'Parents of sick children living in fear', NewsnetScotland.com, January 20.
Bilanow, Tony (2011) 'The lingering mystery of chronic fatigue syndrome', The New York Times, January 3.
[Unknown] (2010) 'Dorset woman with severe ME 'left to rot by the NHS'', BBC News Dorset, November 25th.
Sultana, R et al (2010) 'ME patients need government support', Times of Malta (online), 3rd October.
Holder, Nelda (2010) 'Local family feels vindicated by breakthrough research', Mountain Xpress, vol. 17, no. 8, September 14th.
[Unknown] (2010) 'A closer look at chronic fatigue syndrome and mononucleosis in teens', Los Angeles Times, 9th September.
Moss, Lyndsay (2010) 'Scottish scientists 'prove' that ME exists and may be caused by virus', The Scotsman, 8th September.
Bradford, E (2010) 'Study shows 'virus link' found in children', BBC News Scotland Tayside and Central, 7th September.
[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.
[Unknown] (2010) 'Scientific trial involving children and the Lightning Process is unethical, says joint statement issued by two national ME charities', ME Agenda, 4th August.
Tuller, David (2010) 'Delay in release of study on chronic fatigue syndrome prompts and outcry', New York Times, 14th July.
Connor, Steve (2010) 'Study that 'solves' chronic fatigue syndrome blocked', The Independent, 9th July.
Scurr, Martin (2010) 'Ask the doctor: By the way... at last I've been convinced that ME is real', Mail Online, 7th June.
Sawyer, Antoaneta (2010) 'Inflammation at the root of most modern diseases', The Examiner, May 27th.
Frampton, Will (2010) 'Bradford on Avon pals saddle up for charity bid', The Wiltshire Times, 24th May.
Nguyen, Linda (2010) 'Chronic-illness group voices call for national diagnostic clinic', The Montreal Gazette (CAN), May 13th.
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.
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.
[Unknown] (2010) 'Cuts doom plan for ME clinics', Manchester Evening News, 18th February.
Summary: 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.
[Unknown] (2010) 'Constant agony of an ME sufferer, Belfast Telegraph, 18th February.
[Unknown] (2010) 'A nurse, hillwaker, charity worker and keen traveller... snapshots from a life stolen by the mystery illness ME', Belfast Telegraph, 16th February.
Summary: 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.
[Unknown] (2010) 'Breaking the ME enigma - Twenty key figures sign letter in the Daily Telegraph', ME Association, 6th February 2010.
Summary: 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.
[Unknown] (2010) 'Chemical consideration for the Human Canaries', The New Hampshire, 2nd February.
Spencer, Sir Peter (2010) 'Letter: ME tragedy demands action', The Northern Echo (UK), 2nd February.
Samuel, Martin (2010) 'Lynn's lasting legacy for the victims of ME', The Mail Online, 29th January.
Summary: 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.
[Unknown] (2010) 'ME case study: 'She told me that she did not want to carry on', The Independent (UK), 27th January.
Summary: 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.
Verkaik, Robert (2010) 'Free, woman who ended her daughter's ME misery', The Independent (UK), 26th January.
Summary: 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.
Bird, Steve (2010) 'Devoted mother Kay Gilderdale should never have been prosecuted, says judge', The Times Online (UK), 26th January.
Summary: 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.
Wark, Penny (2010) 'Doctors, school friends thought I was faking chronic fatigue syndrome' The Times Online, 25th January.
Summary: 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.
Ryan, Siobhan (2009) 'ME treatment in Sussex still needs to improve', The Argus (UK), 14th December.
Summary: The All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) has recently published an interim report on its inquiry into the NHS services available for ME/CFS.
Towell, Candice (2009) 'Expert Answers on Chronic Fatigue Syndrome', New York Times (US), 24th November.
Summary: 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.
[Unknown] (2009) 'German Medical Association warns: "Swine flu vaccine" unsuitable for patients suffering from environmental diseases and other chronic multi-system illnesses', Chemical Sensitivity Network, 26th October.
Summary: From the German Professional Association of Environmental Medicine (Deutscher Berufsverband der Uweltmediziner - DBU).
Roan, Shari (2009) 'Anti-viral drug found to reduce severity of mono', Los Angeles Times (US), 21st September.
Summary: 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.
Disley, Jan (2009) 'Paralysed cancer drug girl to be put on at-risk register ‘to shut her up’, The Daily Mail (UK), September 20, 2009
Summary: 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.
Arlidge, John &Templeton, Sarah-Kate (2009) 'Pamela Weston explains her assisted suicide, Times Online (UK), 20th September.
Summary: After a diagnosis of ME and years of pain and suffering, Pamela Weston made the decision to end her life through assisted suicide.
Saner, Emma (2009) 'Listen to your body after swine flu', The Guardian (UK), 23rd July.
Summary: Rushing back to work after swine flu could be dangerous. Taking your time to recover is the best way to avoid complications.
Starmer-Smith, Charles (2009) 'Illness among cabin crew heightens toxic air fears', Daily Telegraph (UK), 17th July.
Summary: A survey of pilots and crew has found alarmingly high levels of illnesses they have contracted since beginning work for airlines.
[Unknown] (2009) 'Battling illness day at a time', Cambridge News (UK), 11th July.
Summary: 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.
[Staff Reporter] (2009) 'ME sufferers plead for research into their illness', South Wales Echo, 8th July.
Summary: 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.
Gantly, Dara (2009) 'Belfast born doctor pushes ME research', Irish Medical Times (UK), 19th June.
Summary: 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.
Hunt, Liz (2009) 'ME: Proof that it isn't all in the mind?', The Telegraph (UK), 1st June.
Summary: 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.
Hope, Alan (2009) 'Face of Flanders - Kenny de Meirleir', Flanders Today, June.
Johnson, Cort (2009) 'Listen to ME: An ME/CFS patient recovers', Phoenix Rising, May.
Summary: 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...
Gordon, Byrony (2009) 'Ceravix: The simple injection causing so much controversy', Telegraph.Co.Uk, 15th March.
Summary: The cervical cancer jab Cervarix is currently under scrutiny after nearly 1,500 Britons have experienced adverse reactions to it.
Myhill, Sarah (2009) 'A test for Chronic Fatigue Syndrome/ME', DoctorMyhill.Co.Uk, 20th January.
Television and Radio Reports - Australian
O'Connor, Andrea (2011) 'ME/CFS - not a new syndrome', ABC Radio Northern Tasmania 'Afternoons' with Elaine Harris', 9th February.
Macey, J (2010) 'PM - Mouse virus found in chronic fatigue syndrome', ABC PM Program (radio), 24th August. 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.
[Unknown] (2010) 'Chronic fatigue syndrome', Open Medicine Institute, 21st July 2010.
Stubbs, Richard (2010) 'Interview with Marg Purcell', ABC Radio 774 Melbourne, 12th May 2010.
[Unknown] (2009) 'Program helps disabled students into workforce', 4th December.
Birchley, Emma (2009) 'Researchers claim cure for ME may not be far away', Sky News, 13th June.
Stubbs, Richard (2009) 'Interview with Marg Purcell', 774 ABC Melbourne, Richard Stubbs program, 18th May.
Lews, Donald (2008) 'Interview with Dr. Donald Lewis and Imogen Newhouse', 9am with David and Kim, 15th May.
Ahmed, Tanya (2001) 'Episode nine: chronic fatigue syndrome', Dimensions (Health), October 2.
Television and Radio Reports - International
Hooper, Malcolm (2011) Complaint Letter to BBC Radio 5 - Professor Malcolm Hooper, Phoenix Rising, ME/CFS (Chronic fatigue syndrome) Forums, 30th July.
[Unknown] (2011) 'Mother describes son's anguish with ME', BBC News (Health), March 16.
Botha, Leslie Carol (2011) 'Interview about ME/CFS with Tina Tidmore', KRFC FM Northern Colorado.
[Unknown] 'Weakened crusader', NHK World (English), 10th February.
McClure, Myra (2010) 'Virus linked to prostate cancer and chronic fatigue syndrome', Imperial College London, 12th April.
Morningside Productions (2009) 'Short video on ME from NZ On Screen: Open Door Series - ME, 22nd September.
'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.
[Unknown] (2006) 'Chronic fatigue syndrome, Prime Time Live.
Wilson, Criona (2006), Sophia's Story, www.sophiaandme.org.uk, May 2006.
Online Videos, Films and Audio Recordings
Video: King, Llewelyn (2011) “CFS panel discussion feat. Leonard Jason et al”, The White House Chronicle, April 12.
Video: Miller, Michelle (2011) 'New study on chronic fatigue syndrome', CBS Evening News, February 24.
Video: Gasparello, Linda (2010) 'Talking about chronic fatigue syndrome', White House Chronicle, October 11.
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
Video: Mantis, Toula (2010) 'In search of non-toxic housing for health's sake' YouCommNews (online), November 9th.
Audio: Goff, Stephen (2010), 'XMRV: A virus that may cause prostate cancer', Sound Medicine, 18th July.
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
