Today is the 23rd anniversary of May 12th International Awareness Day for Chronic Immunological and Neurological Diseases (CIND). This awareness day was founded in 1992 by the late Thomas Hennessy Jr. The diseases included in CIND include Myalgic Encephalomyelitis (ME) Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS), Fibromyalgia (FM), Gulf War Syndrome (GWS), Lyme and Multiple Chemical Sensitivity (MCS).

We are on a mission to bring awareness around the world for this community of people living with these illnesses. May 12th International Awareness Day is a chance for the millions of people devastated by these diseases to be seen and heard! It’s estimated that 25% are severely impaired. These illnesses are real; the people are real; and they need help NOW!

There is a long list of activities planned for this day and throughout the month of May. They range from very small to large complex events. Everyone one of them will help to make this the best May 12th yet. We especially look forward to seeing landmarks and private homes Light Up the Night with our colours – blue, green and purple. It is truly a sight to behold.

We also look forward to reading all the blogs that are participating in the #May12BlogBomb event being coordinated by Sally Burch. Our submission today has extra meaning to us as it is also the launch of the May12th Blog. Our website has been refurbished and expanded to include this blog. We hope it will be another tool to help us get the word out.

We believe with awareness, will come action! Our community is desperately in need of treatment facilities and funding is required to support research and our scientists.  A successful May 12th will bring many rewards for years to come. These activities will not only benefit us today, but they will be an investment in our future.

We sincerely hope that everyone will do something today. We ask that you tell one person about May 12th and ask that person to tell one other person. If everyone can do this simple task, there will be a wave of awareness across the globe. Raising awareness will give us credibility in our quest for treatment and a cure and hope for a better tomorrow.  Our future depends on it.

To quote Helen Keller – “Alone we can do so little; together we can do so much.”