About
#MEAction Maryland is chaired by three advocates living with ME – Bridget Collins, Melinda Lipscomb, and Whitney Fox.
Lipscomb and Fox founded the Maryland State Chapter in August 2020 with the goal of creating and growing a Maryland coalition of people with ME, caregivers, and allies to organize actions, develop outreach and foster community. Our chapter includes members throughout the state, encompassing people of varying severity and disability levels, caregivers, family members, and healthy allies. We are advocating for awareness, recognition, care, and support for Myalgic Encephalomyelitis, Long Covid, and associated chronic conditions
As the COVID pandemic continues, we welcome and embrace those living with Long Covid. We offer support and advocate for those living with long-term effects following acute infection. We welcome new and experienced advocates and those who are undiagnosed or self-diagnosed.
Our WINS
September 2023 – ME Advocates delivered copies of the book The Puzzle Solver, by Tracie White and Ronald Davis, PhD to Senate offices on the Hill, launching the #HelpMESenator campaign
September 2023 – Advocates met with Maryland Department of Health to collaborate and educate Maryland residents and healthcare providers about ME, Long Covid and infection-associated chronic conditions.
July 2023 – Gwynn Dujardin PhD, Medical & Community Education Lead, featured in Ed Yong’s Atlantic piece: Fatigue Can Shatter a Person
May 2023 – Volunteered with #MillionsMissing demonstration at the Washington Monument. We are keeping each and every #PillowStory safe.
October 2021 – #MEAction Maryland presented to Johns Hopkins Neurology Honors Students “The Science & Lived Experience of Myalgic Encephalomyelitis & Long Covid.”
April 2023 & August 2023 – WYPR interviewed co-founders Melinda Lipscomb & Whitney Fox about the connection between ME & Long Covid and our advocacy work for an episode of On The Record. The episode re-aired in August 2023.
September 2022 – Joined #MEAction’s protest at the White House
June 2023 – Hosted our third-annual Blue Sunday fundraiser and awareness event
May 2022 – Hosted our second-annual Blue Sunday fundraiser and awareness event, featuring Jean Meltzer, author of The Matzah Ball. Meltzer lives with ME and The Matzah Ball features a protagonist living with ME.
May 2022 – Launched Read ME: The Well-Read, Poorly-Rested Book Club, which meets quarterl. Follow our book club on IG @ReadMEActionMD
April 2023, April 2022, April 2021 – Participated and led congressional advocacy meetings with Solve ME Advocacy Week
May 2022 – Governor Larry Hogan lit the Maryland Government House Blue in honor of ME Awareness Day
Launched monthly support meetings
Joined the Long Covid Alliance
Submitted and received State and County Proclamations for ME Awareness Day May 12
Collaborated with the Progressive Maryland Health Justice Taskforce to pass bi-partisan bills for medical debt protection and funding Health Equity Resource Communities (HERCs).
Allied with CovidSafeMD to advocate for safety in healthcare settings
UPCOMING EVENTS
Monthly Advocacy Meeting – We meet the first Tuesday of each month at 7PM ET via Zoom
Meeting ID: 873 5278 6001
Passcode 370819
+1 301-715-8592
Monthly Support Meetings – Third Tuesday of each month at 4pm via Zoom
Meeting ID: 856 7112 8361
Passcode: 056159
Dial in: +1301 715 8592
iCal and Google Calendar for #MEAction Maryland Chapter
Contact
Interested in more information? Fill out our Maryland Chapter Interest Form here.
Join us on social media: Join our Facebook group, follow us on Twitter/X and Instagram @MEActMaryland or visit our LinkTree