While ME awareness day does not garner the attention that other illness do, patients and advocates are working hard to bring light to the issues. EmpowerHer summarizes the inspiring actions and events that took place this year:

• Monuments were lit up around the world including Peace Bridge in the United States, and Langevan Bridge, Niagara Falls, CN tower, and many city halls across Canada.

• On May 16, the Tour de Force Broadway benefit show will gave a portion of ticket sales to the National ME/FM Action Network in Canada.

• Paetzold Lecture Theatre in Vancouver, BC will have  Dr. Daniel Peterson and Staci Stevens speak about ME/CFS on May 24.

• In Australia, the Do Something for ME project is raising awareness and money for Emerge Australia, an organization that advocates for, and educates the public about ME/CFS.

• In the UK, an international Walk for ME was organized for ME Awareness week.  From May 11-17, friends and family of ME sufferers participated in a sponsored run, swim or walk.

• Afternoon tea was served in the Summer Parlour at Ingatestone Hall, in the county of Essex in England on May 11.  Lord Petre, Lord Lieutenant of Essex, spoke.

• In Ireland, at Bewleys’ Hotel in Newlands Cross, and at Leinster House coffee was served with guest speakers on May 12.

• The Irish ME/CFS Association sponsored two talks by Dr. Abhijit Chaudhuri from the UK as ME Awareness Month activities in May. The first talk will be on May 30 at the Connacht Hotel in Galway City.  The second will be on May 31 at the Carlton Hotel Dublin Airport in County Dublin.

• Italy’s AISF ONLUS (the Italian Association For Fibro and CFS) put on an event in Verona on May 10.
• Germany and Japan had May 12 Thunderclaps.

• In Sweden, everyone was encouraged to wear something blue on May 12.

What did you do for May 12th? What do you want to see happen next year?