Our motto is:
Don't react to Unfairness..but ACT for change!

 Please help us help you!

The National ME/FM Action Network is a non-profit organization dependent on membership fees and donations to keep us solvent.  As you can see in the projects and accomplishment sections of this website, our projects are chosen on the basis of what will create the most impact and bring the greatest benefits to all who are ill or have been ill with fibromyalgia syndrome and myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic/fatigue syndrome.

We have many projects on the go and one of them always is to send Overviews of the Canadian Consensus Documents to as many family physicians and general practitioners as possible, as they are the first line of defence.  As timing is of the essence, the National ME/FM Action Network's latest project is to host the International IACFS/ME research and clinical conference in Ottawa from September 22nd to 25th, 2011.  More details available elsewhere on our website.

How you can help us achieve our goals:

• Become a member and receive our quarterly newsletter "Quest"
  
• Make a donation
  
• Volunteer

Donations

• Make a donation. 
  
• Designate you United Way donation to the National ME/FM Action Network - Charitable Tax Number: (BN) 89183 3642 RR0001
  
• NOTE:  You will receive a tax receipt for a charitable donation for all donations.
  
  We are most grateful for all donations, large or small - every bit adds up.

You may send us donations by

• complete the donation section of our  Membership Form
• designation your United way donation to the National ME/FM Action Network
• phone:   613-829-6667   
• fax: 613-829-8518
• mailing address: National ME/FM Action Network
                                512, 33 Banner Road
                                Nepean ON  K2H 8V7
                                Canada
  
  Volunteer 
          
  Please assist us in volunteering.   You can help us help others in many ways.  If you have expertise in medical, legal, or disability areas please let us know.   If you can assist us with any of our projects we would be most grateful.
  
  We welcome ideas and suggestions. 
  
  Just as "It takes a village to raise a child", it takes the FMS and ME/CFS communities to advance the recognition and understanding of these illnesses.  Let's work together and lighten the load!

WHAT YOU NEED FROM A SUPPORT GROUP/ORGANIZATION

When people contact us, they either have had bad experiences with a support group or they don’t think they can help them. That is because you need to establish first what you want and need from them. A support group can only do what its members have decided they want from that support. In order for you to know which one to attend, you need to ask yourself:

Am I well enough to attend one?

1. Do I wish to listen and learn;
2. Do I wish to participate in discussions?
3. What kind of discussions am I interested in?
4. Do I want to play a role and assist in its operation?
5. Is there support available for those who are bedbound or housebound?
6. What is the focus of the group?
7. When I attend a group, do I feel better when I leave?

Once you are straight in your mind about what you want from a group or organization, you will be in a better position to enjoy the group and the friendships it offers.

If you are a housebound or bedbound person, you can have a telephone network for support or email contact. There is also a chat and video group for those who are ill with ME/CFS and FMS and related illnesses. Very often people have gone through the same things you are going through and have some helpful advice as to how they dealt with their problems and what solutions they came to.

There are other people who are well enough to meet for a social get together, be it lunch or dinner etc. It doesn’t matter how often you can do that but will give you an outing and be around people who understand you. Don’t worry that if on the last moment, you are unable to attend. Remember that they know that can happen and the next time it could be one of them who had to bow out.

If none of the support available is not what you need, and you feel well enough to have some get togethers and start a support group, you can advertise in your local health food store, pharmacy or even grocery store. Any place where people meet. It need not be a structured group with rules and regulations. What is important is that you give each other support and a reprieve from every day challenges.

COMFORT IS KNOWING YOU ARE NOT ALONE