MRC announces ME/CFS research projects worth £1.6m

M.E. Associations breaks the news embargoed until today

This sounds like great news, if it is funding for biomedical research.

I'm not really sure what to think, yet. Any ideas on the people behind the various projects?

There doesn't seem to be an immediate drive to separate Myalgic Encephalomyelitis and its causes from "Chronic Fatigue Syndrome" with its flabby umbrella of symptoms muddying the waters. M.E./CFS is still referred to as "the illness". Frustratingly, CFS is referred to first, i.e. CFS/ME many times in the press release. Is this going to be more smoke and mirrors?

I sincerely pray it won't just be more money down the drain, like the PACE trials.

Much to be cautiously hopeful about for 2012.

State Funding Promise for M.E. Research - Pinch Me, Am I Dreaming?

Professor Stephen Holgate who has been instrumental in moving the MRC towards backing funding for biomedical research into M.E. The Independent calls him "a government advisor, but not afraid to speak his mind"

Backing for M.E. Research reported today

Pinch me, am I dreaming?


That's the response of so many of us in the M.E. patient community to today's amazing news via PublicService.co.uk


So many false dawns. So much disappointment and abandonment in the past. Over the summer, in the media, so many groundless attacks on those with M.E.


Today, this wonderful news.


Alongside other patient-backed independent charity initiatives like Invest in ME this news that the Medical Research Council is looking into the possibility of funding and support for a blood bank and bio-medical research is truly the most wonderful thing I've read in all the time I've been ill.


I can't add much more today. The link above speaks for itself.


I'm just so thankful. A new hero to me, reading this, is Professor Stephen Holgate. This is why:


"The first attack on their approach came in the Chief Medical Officer's report of 2002 and we asked for a new strategy. Nothing much happened until Professor Stephen Holgate set up an MRC expert group which produced a list of biomedical research priorities and now we have funding to take this forward." 

Bless Professor Holgate! Somebody influential with the Government and Medical Research Council who actually understands M.E. 
Doing exactly what we all trust medical professionals to do. Listening. Opening his mind. Learning from others. Wanting things to be better for patients. Making things happen if they are not happening already. Being compassionate. Being proactive on his patients' behalf.

If I had the strength, I would be partying tonight! 

Stephen Holgate Professor of Immunopharmacology at the University of Southampton

More about Professor Stephen Holgate on University of Southampton website 

Prof Holgate named among Britain's Top Air Pollution & Green  Scientists in The Independent