- Administrator
NETWORK-PARLIAMENTARY BREAKFAST
- Administrator
NATIONAL ME/FM ACTION NETWORK HOSTING BREAKFAST INFORMATION SESSION FOR MPs AND SENATORS
To celebrate “May 12th*” the National ME/FM Action Network is hosting a breakfast information session for MPs and Senators. This event, possible through the collaboration of MPs Dr. Carolyn Bennett and Dr. Hedy Fry, will take place on May 8 at 7:30am in the Parliamentary Dining Room. In keeping with the mandate of the Network, we will be raising awareness about ME/CFS and fibromyalgia.
We are honoured that leading ME/CFS and Gulf War syndromes researcher Dr. Gordon Broderick, from the University of Alberta, will be speaking, as will patient, Lisa Schneiderman, and Network president, Margaret Parlor. Dr. Broderick’s research is modeling these complex diseases in a way that is: improving understanding about the mechanisms involved; pointing to biomarkers; and, narrowing the search for promising treatments. In addition to hearing about Dr. Broderick’s research, MPs and Senators will have a chance to understand that ME/CFS and fibromyalgia are real medical issues and they will learn about some of the challenges (and needs) facing our communities (lack of research, difficulty getting disability, treatment).
All MPs and Senators have received invitations. However, they are very busy and they are invited to lots of similar events. We need your help so that they understand how important this issue is to you. Can you please contact your MP to remind them about this session? Mention that you're one of their constituents and that it is important to you that they or one of their staff members attend.
If possible, please also contact some Senators from your home province or on the Standing Senate Committee on Social Affairs, Science and Technology ** with the same request. If you are able, please ask others you know to do the same. This will go a long way toward increasing attendance, helping us spread our message and bringing about positive change.
You can find your MP and Senators' contact information at http://www.parl.gc.ca/Default.aspx?Language=E.
A sample note that you can modify is attached to this email, as are copies of the invitations (English and French) that were sent out to MPs and Senators. A copy of the invitation is posted at www.mefmaction.com and is included in Quest #94 (which you will soon be receiving).
English Invitation
Thank you.
*International ME/CFS, Fibromyalgia and Multiple Chemical Sensitivity Awareness Day
** The email addresses of the Senators on the Standing Senate Committee on Social Affairs, Science and Technology can be found at the end of this email.
Dear Honourable (Insert MP or Senators name),
[For MPs - I am one of your constituents and there is a matter, which is very important to me, that I would like to bring to your attention.]
[For Senators - There is a matter, which is very important to me, that I would like to bring to your attention.]
The National ME/FM Action Network is hosting a breakfast information session for MPs and Senators to raise awareness for myalgic encephalomyeltis (ME)/chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) and fibromyalgia on May 8, 2013. ME/CFS and fibromyalgia are neuroendocrine immune diseases that affect an estimated 756 000 Canadians. Like other illnesses at the early stages of knowledge, there is a lack of awareness, medical care, and research into the etiology and treatment of these often lifelong and disabling diseases.
It would mean a great deal to me if you or one of your staff members could attend the event and learn more about these serious medical conditions. (Optional: Insert personal information i.e., I have ME and have been struggling with the condition for x years. More research is needed OR My daughter has fibromyalgia and I have witnessed the difficulties she has with lack of understanding about her condition.)
A copy of the invitation that you received from the National ME/FM Action Network is attached to this email.
Thank you,
Sign your name.
** The following is a list of the email addresses of the Senators on the Standing Senate Committee on Social Affairs, Science and Technology by province:
Alberta: Claudette Tardif “
British Columbia: Yonah Martin “
Nova Scotia: Kelvin Ogilvie “
Ontario: Nicole Eaton “
Quebec (In Quebec, Senators represent a riding rather than the whole province): Judith Seidman “
Saskatchewan: Lillian Eva Dyck “