Baby Deer Bakery

Happiest Blue Sunday!

How are you joining in today? Thank you for celebrating with us and making this day so special.

If you haven't set your plans yet, a few options for you:
Treat yourself to tea and cake (or any treat you fancy)

Wear something blue

Share your celebration or follow along with others

Enjoy the Blue Sunday Concert
https://youtu.be/6iRbQNX07zY?si=4MEiIYfVx4ua8a6D

Join Zoom Tea Party at 1pm EST
https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/1Gx24nNBRHSuCB4ArBBsNA #/registration

Donate to your favorite ME Charity/Non-Profit
https://the-slow-lane.com/donation-pages/

And if you're not familiar with ME, please take a moment to learn a bit about it.

Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS) is a debilitating neuroimmune condition affecting every system of the body. The hallmark symptom, Post Exertional Malaise (PEM) is a severe and often dangerous increase in symptoms that occurs after even minimal exertion (physical, mental, sensory, emotional etc). Things we take for granted when healthy- answering an email, riding in a car, taking a shower, or listening to music- all can cause PEM lasting hours, days, or weeks.

- ME/CFS is estimated to affect at least 9 million Americans (3 million pre-pandemic)
- Up to 50% of Long Covid cases meet the diagnostic criteria for ME/CFS
- 75% of people with ME/CFS are unable to work, even part time; 25% of people with ME/CFS are entirely bedbound
- 80-90% of ME/CFS cases are undiagnosed.
- There are only 19 ME/CFS specialists in the entire country. Most doctors have never even heard of ME/CFS.
- There are no FDA approved treatments and there is no cure.
- Only 5% of patients experience remission or recovery (even temporarily), the other 95% will be sick for the rest of their lives.
- Commensurate to disease burden, ME/CFS research is underfunded by an estimated $458m/year

Our second charity for both Blue Sunday and our Cookie/Scone Clubs is

The Solve ME/CFS Initiative (Solve M.E.) is a non-profit organization that serves as a catalyst for critical research into diagnostics, treatments, and cures for myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS), Long Covid and other infection-associated chronic conditions and illnesses (IACCIs).

Solve ME’s grants act as a catalyst for critical research into diagnostics, treatments, and cures for ME/CFS, Long Covid and related conditions. In addition, their annual Advocacy Week empowers patients, scientists, and allies to share their stories with Congress- last year almost 200 meetings were held. This year's campaign has lead to state and federal level meetings discussing the inclusion of ME/CFS and IACCIs on licensing exams so that patients and their families will have increased access to safe, knowledgeable healthcare.