Saturday, 12 May 2012
Saturday, May 12 marks the 20th anniversary of Awareness Day, and this is how it started …
In 1992, Tom Hennessy, founder of an organization called RESCIND, Inc. (Repeal Existing Stereotypes about Chronic Immunological and Neurological Diseases), spearheaded the designation of May 12 as Awareness Day for fibromyalgia, myalgic encephalomyelitis / chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS), and other illnesses.
And now May 12 is observed around the world - embracing those with ME/CFS/FM as well as multiple chemical sensitivities, Gulf War syndrome, Lyme disease, and more.
Tom Hennessy chose May 12 as Awareness Day because it is the birthday of Florence Nightingale – the “mother of modern nursing.”
Florence was a brilliant thinker, philanthropist and doer who revolutionized medical care in 1854, when she traveled with a team of 37 nurses trained in hygienic practices to save the lives of countless British soldiers in Turkey during the Crimean War.
It was during that punishing campaign that the most famous nurse in history first fell ill with a disease resembling ME/CFS/FM that was later dubbed Nightingale Syndrome.
Known as the “Lady with the Lamp” because she worked night and day to tend the wounded and ill, Florence Nightingale is indeed a brilliant hero for us to honor on May 12, and every day.
Reblogged from heathersday
Fibromyalgia Awareness Day
Sponsored by the National Fibromyalgia & Chronic Pain Association (NFMCPA), Fibromyalgia Awareness Day (Saturday, May 12th) is an annual event dedicated to raising awareness of this complex chronic pain disorder. Fibromyalgia (FM) affects an estimated 10 million people in the US, 75-90 percent of whom are women—but it can also occur in men and children.
The 2012 theme for Fibromyalgia Awareness Day is “Make Fibromyalgia Visible.” There are several ways you can help do this:
Read more >>> Fibromyalgia Awareness Day Is This Saturday
Sunday, 6 May 2012
Printfriendly
