Help make a difference. Because people with ME/CFS matter.

A tsunami of post-viral disease is about to hit Australia.

People with ME/CFS are already drowning.

Australia must prepare now for the forthcoming economic, health and social impacts of Long COVID. Because people living with ME/CFS matter.

Over 250,000 Australians already live with ME/CFS, a debilitating post-viral disease that leaves many unable to work, housebound or bedbound, and costs our economy over $14BN a year.

A Deakin University study suggests up to 325,000 more may develop Long COVID, described by health experts as ‘strikingly similar’ to ME/CFS in its symptoms, pathology and devastating impact ...

A tsunami of post-viral disease is about to hit Australia.

People with ME/CFS are already drowning.

Australia must prepare now for the forthcoming economic, health and social impacts of Long COVID. Because people living with ME/CFS matter.

Over 250,000 Australians already live with ME/CFS, a debilitating post-viral disease that leaves many unable to work, housebound or bedbound, and costs our economy over $14BN a year.

A Deakin University study suggests up to 325,000 more may develop Long COVID, described by health experts as ‘strikingly similar’ to ME/CFS in its symptoms, pathology and devastating impact on people’s lives. That’s almost 600,000 Australians who could soon be living with post-viral diseases.

Our health system has long struggled to diagnose, manage and create health pathways for those with ME/CFS. We are nowhere near prepared for the number of Australians with post-viral disease to more than double in just a few months, and nowhere near ready for the impact it will have on our health services, workforce and the economy.

Read the State of the Nation: Because people with ME/CFS matter

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Email your MP to share the State of the Nation report

1,280 emails sent

Now is the time to write your local Federal member of parliament (MP) and Senator to find out what they are going to do for people with ME/CFS. Emerge Australia's State of the Nation report emphasises that "people with ME/CFS matter". The report highlights the level of investment required to make real change for people living with ME/CFS and post-viral disease such as Long COVID.

Your voice needs to be heard. Please send this letter about the State of the Nation report to your local MP and Senator, and encourage with your network of family, friends and other important people in your life to do likewise. With your help and the power of your voice, we will influence Government to act. Because the time to act on behalf of people with ME/CFS is now and your voice matters.

Find your local rep

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Subject:

Re:  Election 2022 – Because people with ME/CFS matter

As Election 2022 draws near I am writing to seek your support and that of your party for Australia’s 250,000 people living with myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS).

I live with/I am a friend/family member/carer of a person with this complex, devastating and disabling condition. Many people with ME/CFS are robbed of their ability to work, study, maintain relationships, pursue hobbies or even get out of bed.

ME/CFS and Long COVID are both post-viral diseases, and there is growing evidence of striking similarities between the two. The next government will need to manage the increasing numbers of people who suffer from ME/CFS, Long COVID and post-viral diseases.

As your constituent I am asking you to commit to the following actions ahead of the upcoming federal election:

•	Educate doctors about ME/CFS its diagnosis and management 
•	Increase funding for support services for patients and families
•	Allocate funds for development of Clinical Guidelines
•	Invest in biomedical research into causes and treatments for ME/CFS and Long COVID.
•	Improve access to the NDIS and remove barriers for people with ME/CFS who are currently excluded from economic and social participation due to our disabilities.

Further information about ME/CFS, its links to Long COVID, and the burden of these diseases on the Australian economy and people like me can be found in Emerge Australia’s recently published report ‘State of the Nation: Because people with ME/CFS matter’ - www.emerge.org.au/stateofthenation

You can watch an explainer video here: https://vimeo.com/701449429

I look forward to hearing from you on this issue that is critical to 250,000 people with ME/CFS and to me and my family.

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