The 6th Invest in ME

International ME/CFS Conference 2011

CONFERENCE REVIEW 

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From Invest in ME

The 6th International ME/CFS Conference 2011 took place on 20th May 2011 in Westminster, London and was attended by presenters and delegates from 20 countries and four continents.

To the presenters we extend our grateful thanks for the biomedical research being performed. 
We would like to thank the presenters and delegates for attending the conference and contributing to another day showing the progress being achieved by biomedical research. Many travelled from afar and the conference was a success because of all of our supporters.

The conferences are meant to provide a platform for high quality biomedical research into ME and only the most blinkered of observers could have failed to see the potential to progress in treatment of this disease if more funding were directed to such research. It also continued to show the promise and real hope of treatments for this illness based on science and proper investigations. We hope that everyone left not only with an enhanced knowledge gained from the conference but also with renewed hope for development of more treatments for myalgic encephalomyelitis.

The breadth of knowledge, science and experience regarding ME, as discussed and presented at the conference, is not only impressive but also exciting. 

This year the conference concentrated on the case for clinical trials and left no one in doubt about the serious consequences of this illness.

The conference for 2011 demonstrated the possibilities for clinical trials and showed again the urgent need for more funding for biomedical research and the sure progress being made by those committed professionals with a clear strategy for scientific advancement. 

Invest in ME will produce a DVD of the conference containing the complete presentations at the conference plus interviews and plenary session, with any profits from sales going directly to biomedical research activities. Our web site contains details of how to order - click here.  

We hope that the many contacts which were established at the conference will continue and we hope to remain in contact with as many of you as possible.

Invest in ME organised six events during the conference days - including a visit to parliament with some of the presenters to meet MPs at a special All Party Parliamentary Group meeting. Our "Corridor Conference" - Researchers Meeting was also instrumental in progressing new contacts and ideas.

The Science, Politics and ME pre-conference presentation will be available on the conference DVD.

The researchers showed the clear evidence of the organic basis of this disease and possible causes.

Invest in ME invited a number of researchers, politicians, media persons and healthcare staff to come to the conference at our expense in order to improve understanding and distribution of correct information about ME.

Our attempts to bring in establishment organisations to listen to the foremost research on ME were less successful.

Our Journal of IiME, together with the conference section, is available on our web site. If anyone has difficulties in obtaining it then please email info@investinme.org.

The conference for 2011 showed the urgent need for more funding for biomedical research and the sure progress being made by those committed professionals with a clear strategy for scientific advancement. 

So what's next?

For Invest in ME there are some new ideas we shall be working on in the next months. We will be continuing our efforts to fund more biomedical research and attempting to establish our proposal for a biomedical research and examination facility in Norfolk - something which uses the NHS and existing facilities as a basis for provision of research, examinations and treatments for all patients.

We shall also be working with our colleagues in the European ME Alliance which has now grown to be eleven countries in Europe.


During the conference weekend the EMEA held its AGM and we shall be continuing to work together on initiatives which will benefit patients in Europe and beyond.

We look forward to developments in treatments being progressed and hope that our continued lobbying will make the relevant authorities aware that only good science will prevail.

We firmly believe the dedication of researchers and patient groups will soon provide real progress for people with ME and their families.

Invest in ME published its Journal of IiME [click here] at the conference and abstracts of the conference presenters' presentations are included therein. 

Please use the links above to branch to different aspects of the conference.

We value and appreciate all the comments and feedback which we received and we shall use these to attempt to improve the conference for 2011.

Please follow developments in our newsletters - which are free for everyone.

Invest in ME would like to thank the Irish ME Trust for helping us in sponsoring a speaker at the conference.

 

 

 

We would also like to express our thanks for all of the support we received - both before and after the conference - from our supporters.

Conference Report

More detail on the conference weekend events from IiME are available here.

A Conference Report has been prepared by Rosamund Vallings of the Associated New Zealand ME Society - click here.

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Last Updated: 06/08/2011