ME/CFS Awareness Week 2024 – Emerge Australia

ME/CFS Awareness Week
Sunday 12 May – Sunday 19 May 2024

Welcome to the 2024 ME/CFS Awareness Week, from 12 to 19 May!

We’re excited to invite you to participate in a series of we need to talk about ME/CFS initiatives raising awareness and support for the ME/CFS community. This year we continue our theme Don’t Push. Stop. Rest. Pace with a particular focus on the need to STOP.

On Tuesday, 14 May, CEO Anne Wilson was joined by experts to talk about ME/CFS, share insights and information and respond to questions from the community. Read the wrap-up of the event here.

On Sunday, 19 May, mark your calendar for Blue Sunday! We encourage you to gather your friends and family online or in person with your favourite tea to talk more about ME/CFS and together raise awareness and funds in support of Emerge Australia’s vital programs. Let’s come together to make a difference!

Don’t forget to check out our poster gallery when it’s announced at the beginning of awareness week, and share your message or image. Your contribution can make a meaningful impact and help spread the word.

Make sure you share resources on your socials – together we can make a difference.
Stay tuned for more updates and opportunities to get involved in supporting progress in ME/CFS research, diagnosis and management.

Let’s unite our voices through ME/CFS Awareness Week to make a positive impact!

We Need to Talk About Living With ME/CFS - Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/ Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

Don’t Push. STOP. Rest. Pace

Online Symposium with Emerge Australia

ME/CFS Awareness Week - 2pm Tuesday 14 May 2024

01 HOST

Anne Wilson

Chief Executive Officer, Emerge Australia

Anne is an accomplished NFP CEO with a former focus in respiratory and renal health, and a track record engaging stakeholders and building capacity across advocacy, education, research and service delivery.

Anne’s current focus is dedicated to empowering Australians impacted by ME/CFS and long COVID. A graduate of the Stanford University Graduate School of Business NFP Leadership Program, Anne’s qualifications span degrees in Human Services and Adolescent Health.

In 2008, Anne was recognised as the NFP Network Association CEO of the Year, and currently is Director and Secretary/Treasurer of the International Kidney Cancer Coalition.

02 Introducing

Dr Mark Donohoe

GP President ACNEM, Founder, Director, Mosman Integrative Medicine

Close to 40 years in practice, specialising in chronic fatigue syndrome, environmental and occupational toxicology, and sensory sensitivities including multiple chemical sensitivity.

Practices with his wife, Fiona, at Mosman Integrative Medicine in Sydney, focusing on causes of illnesses and diseases with an underlying philosophy that health in all its forms is the best prevention of disease, and that most disease is best managed by clean air, clean food, clean water and a commitment to a diet and lifestyle that is health enhancing.

03 Introducing

Professor David Putrino

Director of Rehabilitation Innovation Icahn School of Medicine Mount Sinai

David trained as a physiotherapist before completing a PhD in Neuroscience. He is currently a Professor in the Department of Rehabilitation and Human Performance at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai in New York City and is the Nash Family Director of the Cohen Center for Recovery from Complex Chronic Illness.

Since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, David has been recognised globally as a leading expert in the assessment, treatment and underlying pathophysiology of long COVID. His team has managed the care of over 3000 people with long COVID and published multiple peer-reviewed scientific papers on the topic.

In 2019, he was named “Global Australian of the Year” for his contributions to healthcare.

04 Introducing

Dr Steven Sommer

Former GP living with complex illness including ME/CFS

Dr Steven Sommer lives in Geelong Victoria with his partner and carer Tori. Steven graduated from medical school in 1984 and became a GP in 1991. He began teaching stress management in the early 90s while practicing and lecturing at Monash University’s Department of General Practice.

Recognising the need amongst his patients and medical students, he began teaching them meditation techniques to manage their stress. Soon he found himself presenting widely and he was appointed president of the Whole Health Institute of Australasia. A major health crisis in 1996 led to him relinquishing all his roles until 2007 when he returned to general practice and teaching at Deakin University Medical School. Further health crises in 2011, left him unable to continue as a practitioner.

Since, Steven has been sharing his ideas and insights through writing, and in podcast, with his uplifting story – from doctor to patient to doctor again – while living with ME/CFS.

Blue Sunday Resources

Gather your friends and family for Blue Sunday 19 May 2024 – a refreshing blend with a purpose. Help to raise awareness and funds for Emerge Australia’s critical services.

Community Fundraising – Help us to raise much needed funds for Emerge Australia’s vital services for people impacted by ME/CFS. Access the Community Fundraising Handbook.

Find all the details about hosting your own Blue Sunday event or how to support Blue Sunday directly here.