Action for ME becomes an affiliate charity of Our Future Health
Our affiliate charities are sharing their expertise in the prevention, early detection and treatment of disease with Our Future Health. By joining forces, the charities are also able to shape the programme to ensure it is fit to serve the research needs of a range of health conditions and diseases.
Action for ME
Action for ME is the only charity in the UK which provides free support, information and healthcare services to people affected by Myalgic Encephalomyelitis (ME). The charity works with the ME community, campaigns for change and supports research to improve the lives and futures of people affected by the condition. Their vision is for a world without ME.
ME
ME is a chronic, fluctuating disease which causes symptoms such as fatigue, pain, post-exertional malaise (PEM) and problems with memory, thinking and sleep. It is sometimes referred to and diagnosed as Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS). The cause of ME is unknown.
Action For ME estimate that 404,000 people in the UK have ME/ CFS, but the exact number remains unknown. Further research estimates around 50% of the 1.9 million people in the UK with Long Covid are also thought to have symptoms that are very similar to ME, including post-exertional malaise, the hallmark symptom of ME. Therefore, Action for ME estimate there are up to 1.35 million people in the UK with ME or ME-like symptoms.
1 in 4 people with ME can become so severely affected by the condition that they can’t leave the house, or even their bed. According to a survey by Action For ME, 98% of people with severe ME have reduced their social contact or stopped it altogether.
Affiliate charities
Our Future Health is joining with many of the UK’s leading health research charities who are providing valuable support and expertise to help develop Our Future Health. They will make a big impact in allowing us to ultimately change the way we prevent, detect and treat diseases.
Sonya Chowdhury, Chief Executive of Action For ME, said, “Our Future Health are revolutionising the battle against disease through their extensive and innovative volunteer network across the UK. We’re delighted to be announced as an affiliate charity partner and look forward to advocating for people affected by ME whilst supporting Our Future Health achieve their aims of helping people live longer, healthier lives.”
Dr Raghib Ali, CEO and Chief Medical Officer of Our Future Health, said, “We’re really pleased to welcome Action For ME as our newest affiliate charity partner. We want our programme to benefit research into all health conditions, and with this new partnership we can ensure ME is represented. Action For ME’s expertise in supporting health research will help Our Future Health achieve our aims of helping people live longer, healthier lives.”
Read more about our partnerships.