Ed Yong is a celebrated science journalist who cares deeply about accurate, nuanced, and empathetic reporting; clear and vivid storytelling; and social equality. His coverage of ME/CFS and Long COVID for The Atlantic has been groundbreaking. Yong’s work has contributed to a changing public perception of these illnesses, moving us toward a public health agenda that recognizes the serious nature and commonalities of infection-associated chronic conditions, and supports advances in research and clinical care. 

Mr. Yong will share how he came to the subject of ME/CFS and Long COVID and what has motivated him to dig so deeply and tenaciously into them. He will share his thoughts on what is yet to be explored about ME/CFS from a journalistic perspective, and how science journalism contributes to changing perceptions.

Registration information to follow.
This event will be virtual, and attendance will be free for MassME members.

You can learn more about our 40 year history by watching the recording of our kickoff event.

Young Adult Support Group for those with ME/CFS, FM, Lyme, Long COVID, and Chronic Illness - Fall Session

This drop-in Virtual Support Group is interactive and provides a safe space for patients to share stories and experiences, ask questions, and offer one another support.

In an effort to streamline the registration process, we are offering one registration for the entire Fall Session.  Once registered, you are welcome to attend as many meetings as you like.

What age is considered Young Adult?
Anyone over the age of 18 who self-identifies as a young adult, either through age or via the life challenges typically experienced by this population. Relevant topics of this group are challenges with college/higher education, starting a career, housing challenges, dating and/or starting a family, and social challenges.

The videos, slides, and other resources from past events are available on the Sunday Conversations Page.       

As part of Mass@ME40 celebration we will be presenting a series of stories and documents from the history of our remarkable organization.

This month, a brief history of the MassME ‘Lending Library.’

The Lending Library: Delivering Hope

MassME began in the early 1980s as a network of support groups – people meeting in person to share information, experiences, and advice about life with ME/CFS.* Information in the early years was scarce and hard to find, and people passed from hand to hand the few books, videos, and pamphlets that were available. Some of the support groups pooled resources to purchase and accumulate materials that they could then make available to group members.

To read the full article click here.

Support the Stop the Wait Act

By ending the 5-month waiting period for individuals to receive Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) benefits, this Act will provide much-needed health and financial support for those with disabilities like ME/CFS and Long COVID. Send a message to your Representative here.

Support the SSI Savings Penalty Elimination Act

The SSI Act will -- for the first time in 30 years -- raise the amount of assets Supplemental Security Income recipients can save, without jeopardizing their vital SSI benefits. To support this important bill, send a message to your Representative here.

The Power of Community: IACCPAC National Webinar

The Infection-Associated Chronic Conditions Patient Advocacy Coalition (IACCPAC) is an initiative led by Solve ME/CFS, The Long COVID Alliance, Dysautonomia International, COVID-19 Longhauler Advocacy Project, and the Patient-Led Research Collaborative. Over the last months, this coalition has brought together patient advocacy organizations (including MassME) in two workshops to discuss common objectives and identify community needs that would benefit from collaboration across organizations.

In this upcoming webinar, the IACCPAC will present the findings from these workshop sessions and identify a roadmap for future strategic collaboration. This kind of collaborative effort across infection-associated chronic illnesses can strengthen our voices in advocacy and help drive innovative research.

Please join the webinar on October 24, at 12:00 pm - 1:30 pm ET

Register here.

BOSTON POTS WALK & 5K

Dysautonomia International's Massachusetts Support Group is holding a Boston POTS Walk & 5K in Medford, Massachusetts on Saturday, September 30th, 2023. Guests can run, walk, wheelchair roll, or come out to show their support for the cause with no exercise required.

Registration and details can be found here.

Share with Your Healthcare Provider!

A new Long COVID and Post-Viral Syndromes medical education course (ECHO) will start on October 5, 2023. These live sessions are for healthcare providers to learn more about assessment and management of cases involving Long COVID, ME/CFS and related comorbidities.

Attendees can earn CME credits. Learn more here. 

Videos of previous sessions are also posted.

Print out this flyer and give it to your healthcare provider.

Fibromyalgia Study

Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital is looking for Fibromyalgia patients to participate in a clinical study.

Click here for the flyer with full details.

Patients, caregivers, advocates: join the MassME Board! 

You can help lead our Association and make a difference in the lives of thousands of people in Massachusetts and beyond. Board service is rewarding—you learn from and bond with others as you contribute to the organization’s mission. We seek a diverse board of people with passion and a broad range of professional and personal experiences.  Curious? Click here for more information.

Would you like to be featured in a Spotlight?

We feature physicians, researchers, patients, caregivers, and those who help people who live with ME/CFS and FM.

If you would like to share your story, please contact us. We would love to hear from you!