I have officially lived with ME for nearly 10 years now, and probably longer in a milder form, and therefore this is a cause very close to my heart.

Action for ME were instrumental in making Decode ME (a ground breaking genetics research study involving 15 thousand + participants) happen. I felt very privileged to be able to be involved in this study and contribute my DNA to it. The preliminary results, released in August 2025, revealed 8 areas of genetic difference in people with ME and highlighted the paths that further research should take. The charity are now working towards funding that further research to drill down into specifics and move us closer to finding biomarkers and consequent treatments.

This is why I would love to try and raise some money to support Action for ME this year. If you are able to help that would be amazing!!

More info on Decode ME can be found here:

https://institute-genetics-cancer.ed.ac.uk/decodeme

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Blue Sunday Background:

Blue Sunday has become a staple in the ME community’s calendar. It has a more lighthearted and celebratory feel than World ME Day, and having a gap between the two allows for pacing and recovery time for some of those who may wish to participate in both.

Some members of the community raffle off their blue themed crafts and donate the proceeds, others hold bake sales at work or school. Most spend the day as they always do, unwell in bed, only this time the community has united online to share photos of their cup of tea. Blue Sunday has given so many people the opportunity to rediscover their sense of self beyond the illness, with Anna asking them to input their skills, to make the day a real group endeavour, and turn social media into a sea of blue, and cake and tea pots!

For most, Blue Sunday is a welcome break from the heavy-duty awareness raising we are so often united by', says Anna. 'We deserve nice things too!'