Thousands unite across UK for #MillionsMissing

THOUSANDS TO UNITE ACROSS THE UK FOR

THE #MILLIONSMISSING

*Global day to raise awareness for ME (Myalgic Encephalomyelitis) health equality*

Demonstrations taking place across the country, including:

*BBC BROADCASTING HOUSE, London W1A 1AA, 2pm, 12 May, 2018*

*GUILDHALL SQUARE, Southampton, 12:00pm, 12 May, 2018*

*ST PETER’S SQUARE, Manchester, 11am, 12 May 2018*

*QUEEN SQUARE, Bristol 12-3pm, 12 May 2018*

*THE MOUND, Edinburgh, 12pm, 12 May 21018*

Full list here. http://millionsmissing.meaction.net/

On May 12, 2018 hundreds of thousands of people worldwide will demonstrate for #MillionsMissing, a global day spearheaded by #MEAction to highlight the plight of ME sufferers, and a moment to call on health officials and governments to end the inequality of funding and research into this debilitating illness.

The day will see the lining up of ‘empty’ shoes and footwear of ME sufferers from across the whole of the UK, footwear that has been unused and made redundant by this debilitating illness. A truly powerful and symbolic display of how ME is ruining lives for millions of people in the UK and worldwide.

Awareness of ME is one thing, but raising the injustice and inequality of funding is also key…

“This is about more than just a disease. This has become a social justice issue. There simply must be more research funding and appropriate medical education in order to stop this epidemic,” Jennifer Brea, co-founder of #MEAction, and director of the award-winning documentary, Unrest.

From 2006-2015 ME had £4 per patient per year spent on research funding,
a small percentage of which had a biomedical focus.
In comparison MS patients had £80 per patient per year.
Funding for ME must reflect the impact and severity of this disease.

It is estimated that there are over 250,000 people in the UK suffering from Myalgic Encephalomyelitis (ME), (also known as Chronic Fatigue Syndrome or ME/CFS), many of whom are children and all of whom do not have the ability to stand up and speak out for themselves – these are just some of the #MissingMillions worldwide, which will be given a voice on May 12th.

Claire Tripp, mother of 16-year-old ME sufferer Emma, commented: “Research into ME is so under-funded, which means finding cures and treating this silent and unseen illness is based on limited information and out of date, and often incorrect, medical opinion. #MillionsMissing is a chance for those impacted by ME to stand together and show that this is a real illness, and it does need to be supported in a much better way. Government and health professionals can’t keep ignoring the issue.

About Myalgic Encephalomyelitis (ME):

Myalgic Encephalomyelitis (ME), (also known as Chronic Fatigue Syndrome or ME/CFS), is a systemic neuroimmune disease characterized by post-exertional malaise (a severe worsening of symptoms after even minimal exertion). It causes dysregulation of both the immune system and the nervous system. The effects of ME are devastating enough to leave 25% of patients housebound or bedbound and an estimated 75% unable to work.

About #MillionsMissing:

#MillionsMissing is being spearheaded by #MEAction, an international network of patients and allies empowering each other to fight for health equality for Myalgic Encephalomyelitis.

Learn more here: http://millionsmissing.org

FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT MYALGIC ENCEPHALOMYELITIS: http://millionsmissing.org/learn/

For more information, to arrange an interview or to attend the event please contact:

London: Denise Spreag on denise@meaction.net

Southampton: Claire Tripp on walkervii@gmail.com

Bristol: Cher Tippets on millionsmissingbristol@gmail.com

Manchester: Becky Hewson becky@millionsmissing.co.uk 07888 701 021

Scotland: Janet Sylvester janetsylvester6@hotmail.com