CFIDS/ME AWARENESS MONTH

and

INTERNATIONAL AWARENESS DAY

2003

BY THE GOVERNOR OF THE STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA

A PROCLAMATION

Whereas,  The National CFIDS Foundation and The CFIDS Association of America in observing May 12 as Chronic Fatigue and Immune Dysfunction Syndrome/Myalgic Encepalopathy Awareness Day; and

Whereas, Chronic fatigue and immune dysfunction syndrome (CFIDS), also known as chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) and myalgic encepalopathy overseas (ME), is a complex illness which affects many different body systems and is characterized by neurological, rheumatological and immunological problems, incapacitating fatigue and numerous other symptoms that last for many months or years and can be severely debilitating; and

Whereas, Conservative Centers for Disease Control estimates suggest that hundreds of thousands of American adults and children have CFIDS/ME; with survey results of 200 cases per 100,000 citizens and

Whereas, It is imperative that education and training of health professionals regarding CFIDS be expanded and that there be greater public awareness of this serious health problem. While there has been increased activity at the state, local and national levels, more must be done to support patients and their families; and

Whereas, Although research efforts at the Centers for Disease Control, the National Institutes of Health and other private research institutions have strengthened, the Greater Greensboro CFIDS/ME/FM/MCS Support Group recognizes that much more must be done to encourage further research so that the mission we share with The National CFIDS Foundation and The CFIDS Association of America, "to conquer CFIDS and related disorders...," can be achieved.  

NOW, THEREFORE, I, MICHAEL F. EASLEY, Governor of the State of North Carolina, do hereby proclaim May, 2003, as "CFIDS/ME Awareness Month" and May 12^th as "International Awareness Day" in North Carolina, and urge all citizens to commend its observance.

 MICHAEL F. EASLEY

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the Great Seal of the State of North Carolina at the Capitol in Raleigh this twenty-sixth  day  of March in the year of our Lord two thousand and three, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and twenty-seventh. .