I've been actively involved with the Irish ME/CFS Association since 1996*.
As it's #SmallCharityWeek, I thought I would highlight some of our work over those years:
- arranged over 400 local and national media interviews raising awareness and understanding;
- raised nearly €300,000 for much-needed research;
- dealt with thousands of enquiries of various sorts;
- sent out around 100 newsletters to members and some nonmembers;
- put people with the illness and their loved ones in touch with others through our telephone contact lists;
- sent out hundreds of e-bulletins to our members;
- tweeted and retweeted many messages on Twitter;
- organised dozens of talks with Irish and international doctors and researchers;
- organised dozens of screenings and other meetings;
- sent information bundles including posters to all Irish libraries, citizen's information centres, youth information centres, student support services in 3rd level colleges multiple times plus also information bundles to some secondary schools;
- sent around 7000 information bundles to Irish doctors
as well as other activities.
Apart from having someone do paid secretarial work in 1996, all this work was done by volunteers, almost exclusively people with the illness and their loved ones.
Like many other small charities, we don't have a high profile. But like many other small charities, I think we've made a difference
* I did a little at the end of 1995