Emerge Australia, the national organisation providing support, information and advocacy for people with Myalgic Encephalomyelitis (ME) / Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS), has received $370,000 in Federal funding to support its work.
It is the largest Federal funding that has been committed to a support organisation working in the ME/CFS space.
CEO of Emerge Australia, Dr Heidi Nicholl, welcomed the funding, saying it was a significant recognition of the serious impact of the condition, and the work needed to combat ME/CFS.
"We are delighted the Federal Department of Health is supporting our work with a funding commitment towards specific programs.
"The funding will help Emerge Australia make a difference in the lives of many ME/CFS sufferers," Dr Nicholl said.
The Federal funding will be directed towards the following specific programs:
Myalgic Encephalomyelitis, also known as Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS) is a severe, complex, acquired illness. Symptoms can include issues with brain function, the gut, the immune, endocrine and cardiac systems.
It is estimated to affect 1% of the population, or approximately 240,000 Australians.
The condition is not well understood in the general community or in clinical professions. Finding appropriate treatment and management tools is often very difficult.
The condition can have an extreme impact on a person and can limit their capacity to lead an independent, healthy and fulfilling life. Good management can help with some of the effects of the condition particularly in more mild/moderate cases, but there is no doubt that this condition changes the lives of those affected.
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