OFFER

Local Awareness October 2006 Events a Rousing Success!

Photo Album of October 2006 CFS Awareness in Salt Lake City

OFFER hosted the "Faces of CFS", a traveling photo exhibit sponsored by the Center for Disease Control and Prevention and the CFIDS Association of America, at the SALT LAKE CITY MAIN LIBRARY from OCTOBER 4th thru 7th .

Other related OFFER coordinated awareness activities included:

On Oct. 4th Kim McCleary, President & CEO of the CFIDS Association of America, and the nation's top CFS Advocate, spoke at the monthly OFFER Education Meeting at the Salt Lake County Complex North Building Council Chambers ( 2001 South State Street). Her topic was: "Advocacy: Working to Conquer CFS". Kim related her own process in learning to appreciate the power and leverage of advocating at the government level in raising awareness for FM and CFS and in raising funding for research and public awareness efforts. While the CFIDS ASSOCIATION has done an outstanding job of raising over $2 million in private funding, their government lobbying efforts have generated more than ten times that amount for research and public awareness efforts. It has not been easy, but Kim has shown the kind of impact this approach to advocacy can have. According to Kim this approach can be very effective at the state and local level as well. She gave examples of what advocates in other states have accomplished.

On Oct. 5th and 7th two documentary films about CFS and FM were shown at the SALT LAKE CITY MAIN LIBRARY:

I REMEMBER ME (2000) is an award winning documentary film about Chronic Fatigue Syndrome. It is the first full-length documentary to explore the controversial and mysterious history of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome. Filmmaker Kim Snyder interweaves her own four-year battle with the disease with stories of others facing the same challenges: soccer star Michelle Akers and legendary Hollywood director Blake Edwards (BREAKFAST AT TIFFANY'S, THE PINK PANTHER). Kim talks to victims, their families; to physicians and researchers; asks compelling questions such as: is it one disease or several; what's the CDC doing; what's it like to have a disease that's not yet understood? This film speaks to the universal themes of loss, human perseverance and the difficulties in grappling with uncertainty.
SHOW ME WHERE IT HURTS (2006) features Patrick B. Wood, MD and Andrew J. Holman,MD both Fibromyalgia researchers, and Lynn Matallana, national FMA (Fibromyalgia Association) founder and president. The pain of Fibromyalgia is a daily reality for millions of people. This video gives a front row seat on some of the cutting edge research breakthroughs being made in the fight to conquer FMS. Hear from patients and caregivers as they reveal how real strides are being made in our understanding and treatment of this mysterious disorder.

On Oct. 7th OFFER held a CFS/FM Rally on East steps of the Salt Lake City/County Building then a "Walk-a-Block" for CFS/FMS awareness to the Salt Lake City Main Library (across the street), followed by the second viewing of the documentary films about CFS and FM. The turnout was excellent in spite of the rain. OFFER would like to thank our Master of Ceremonies, OFFER Board member Joey Foote, for hosting the rally. Our thanks go to the outstanding speakers who shared their insights with close to 200 people with CFS or FM and their advocates:

Dr. Lucinda Bateman operates the Fatigue Consultation Clinic in Salt Lake City, is the founder of OFFER and current Executive Director, and serves on the boards of the CFIDS Association of America and the IACFS (international Association of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome). Dr. Bateman updated those gathered on exciting advances in 2006 regarding CFS and FM research. Click here to view Dr. Bateman's speech.

Attorney Loren Lambert operates Arrow Legal Solutions,located in Midvale, Utah, a general practice law firm which places special emphasis on the rights of those who are disabled. Loren, who has struggled with the physical and social consequences of fibromyalgia, gave an impassioned speech encouraging those struggling with these illnesses and their advocates that we must stand up, be recognized, and advocate for just laws toward insurance industry reforms and social support systems so those with CFS and FM will not be excluded. Click here to view Loren's speech.

Lauren Allen, a 16 year old who has suffered with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome since she was 12, gave a moving speech sharing her journey as a "normal" teenager dealing with the debilitating nature of the illness. As she so eloquently proclaimed, "This illness sucks!" In a speech reflecting wisdom and maturity, Lauren called on legislators to help promote and vote for funding for CFS research, scientists to find the cause and a cure, educated doctors and nurses to provide desperately needed compassionate treatment, and her community to understand and support her. Lauren called for each of us to "Give me that hope now, and give us all this hope for future generations.". Click here to view Lauren's speech.

Erin Floyd, a young college student who has been struggling with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome for ten years, shared her personal journey with those gathered and called each of us to action, to advocate, to seek available resources in the community and to keep our spirits high as we work together to gain the awareness and support that is so richly deserved for those who suffer with these difficult and misunderstood illnesses. Erin thanked those who have been so instrumental in supporting her in her journey.

Thanks goes out to all of the volunteers who made these events possible and so successful!

A final and very special thanks goes to OFFER's current Chairman of the Board of Directors, Carol Floyd, who's vision and personal self-sacrifice made these events possible and have raised the awareness of our local community and government.