Myself and my husband (and our pup) will be hiking to Jerusalem from our home, finishing at the Western Wall (24.8km).

At the age of 14 years old, I had a virus that didn't go away, leading to Chronic Fatigue Syndrome. It took over a year to receive diagnosis and during that time my symptoms and pain from the illness were dismissed and doubted by medical staff as they struggled to fully understand the gravity of the illness and its effects on those suffering with it. Finally, upon clinical diagnosis, I was faced with negativity as doctors showed me a bleak future by telling me that this was an illness with zero chance of full recovery. Now I am young, healthy, and energetic, living the active lifestyle I was told would never happen. Recovery took me years, but it would have been a much smoother one if ME/CFS was an illness with more research, awareness, and understanding. I was constantly shocked at the lack of knowledge and understanding I was faced with, and I promised myself that if I ever got my health back it would be used to fight for those suffering like I did. Those ill with ME/CFS need the medical research and education so that they can be treated adequately and given the support and treatment they need to overcome the illness, which is achievable. This would lead to quicker diagnosis, more awareness of available treatments, and for doctors to be educated on the illness so that patients can receive support and validation which is sorely lacking yet so important. 

Join this campaign to give back and to raise much needed awareness of ME/CFS that affects so many people who may not receive the support from those around them from lack of understanding on the topic. Awareness is vital and can be the difference from failure to recovery. No-one should have to live with their symptoms and face the road to recovery alone and in silence. Any donation, large or small, will make a difference and be hugely appreciated.

Thank you!

Miriam and Mendy

Jennifer BreaME Research UK believes that only biomedical research can find the causes of ME/CFS, improve diagnosis and treatment, and, ultimately, arrive at a cure. That’s why research is our focus. We've awarded 53 grants since 2000 and invested over £1.7million. But research is expensive and becoming more so every day. That’s the challenge we face, and that’s why we need your help.