ME/CFS Month or Day Recognition Templates

Sample Email/Letter Template requesting ME/CFS Awareness Month or Day recognition

• Anything in [] needs to be replaced.  Green brackets are for Executive Office (Governor/President/Territorial Leader/Local Executive/Supporting Agency Office) OR for Legislative Office (Federal, State, or Territory Legislators)

• https://www.commoncause.org/find-your-representative/ <- can help your find your federal representatives

• https://www.usa.gov/state-local-governments <- can help you find state/territory executive/legislators

Dear [State or Territory (or Local)] Assembly Committee on Health Staff Member,

I am a [State or Territory (or Local)]   resident with [your connection to Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS)]. [share any ME/CFS impact]

[IF CONTACTING AN EXECUTIVE OFFICE OPTION: I would appreciate your help with arranging a 2026 proclamation recognizing]

[IF CONTACTING A LEGISLATIVE OFFICE OPTION: I would appreciate your help with introducing or co-sponsoring a legislative resolution to officially recognize these dates]

[FOR AK/CA RESIDENTS CONTACTING A STATE LEGISLATIVE OFFICE ONLY  OPTION: Since our state already has permanent recognition, I am asking for assistance in [requesting an official floor recognition / asking the state health agency to share awareness materials [/FOR CA RESIDENTS ONLY:  upgrading our permanent resolution to a statute]] to recognize]

May [year] as ME/CFS Awareness Month and May 12, [year] as International ME/CFS Awareness Day in the [State or Territory (or Local)]

If there are additional actions I should take, or if this request would be better directed through a different office, I would greatly appreciate your direction.

The rising prevalence of post-viral and infection-associated chronic illnesses makes this recognition especially timely. Thousands of [State or Territory (or Local)] residents with ME/CFS are effectively “missing” from their families, communities, and the workforce due to this serious, multi-system disease. Many are undiagnosed or face years-long delays in diagnosis due to limited clinician education.

I respectfully ask for your help in one or more of the following ways, as appropriate:

• Advising on the process for a [year] [EXECUTIVE OFFICE OPTION: Executive Proclamation / LEGISLATIVE OFFICE OPTION: Legislative Resolution];

• Supporting a recognition request through the [Governor’s/President's/Territorial Leader's/Local Executive's Office / appropriate Legislative Committee];

A formal proclamation would provide meaningful validation for [State or Territory (or Local)]  residents who are homebound or bedbound and would demonstrate [State or Territory (or Local)]’s leadership in addressing serious, often invisible chronic illnesses.

[Optional: For your convenience, I have included draft proclamation language below, should it be helpful.] 

I look forward to your response by [accessible contact options you have provided: email/letter/phone].

Thank you for your time and consideration.

[Your name/Signature]

Sample Phone Scripts requesting ME/CFS Awareness Month or Day recognition

• Anything in [] needs to be replaced.  Green brackets are for Executive Office (Governor/President/Territorial Leader/Local Executive/Supporting Agency Office) OR for Legislative Office (Federal, State, or Territory Legislators)

• https://www.commoncause.org/find-your-representative/ <- can help your find your federal representatives

• https://www.usa.gov/state-local-governments <- can help you find state/territory executive/legislators

Hi, my name is [Your Name]. 

I [have ME/CFS / I care for someone with ME/CFS / I advocate for people with ME/CFS]. Thank you for your time.

I am asking for your support to recognize ME/CFS Awareness Month (May) and International ME/CFS Awareness Day (May 12).
[If speaking to an executive office: “I am requesting a proclamation.”]
[If speaking to a legislative office: “I am requesting a resolution.”]

ME/CFS is a serious, multi-system disease affecting 2–5% of the population.
Many patients are homebound or bedbound and experience post-exertional malaise, cognitive problems, and severe functional limitations.

Recognition matters because:

• It validates the experiences of patients who are often invisible to public health systems.

• It raises awareness among doctors and the public, which can lead to earlier diagnosis and better care.

• It encourages research and policy support for this disabling disease.
  
  

I would greatly appreciate your guidance on the next steps / the staff member who can help move this forward.
[Optional: “I can provide draft language for the [EXECUTIVE OFFICE OPTION: Proclamation / LEGISLATIVE OFFICE OPTION: Resolution], if helpful.”]

Thank you for your time and support for people with ME/CFS.

Draft Template for ME/CFS Awareness Month or Day Resolution/Proclamation

Anything in [] needs to be replaced.  Green brackets are for Executive Office (Governor/President/Territorial Leader/Local Executive/Supporting Agency Office) OR for Legislative Office (Federal, State, or Territory Legislators)

Proposed [year] [EXECUTIVE OFFICE OPTION: Proclamation / LEGISLATIVE OFFICE OPTION: Resolution] Language

• WHEREAS, Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS) is a serious, long-term, multi-systemic disease characterized by profound functional impairment and post-exertional malaise; and

• WHEREAS, an estimated 2-5% of the population are affected, many of whom remain undiagnosed or misdiagnosed due to limited medical education and awareness; and

• WHEREAS, individuals with severe ME/CFS are often homebound or bedbound and face significant barriers to healthcare access, employment, and civic participation; and

• WHEREAS, May 12, [year], marks the [number years since 1992]th annual International ME/CFS Awareness Day, recognized globally to honor the “Millions Missing” from their communities;

• NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT [EXECUTIVE OFFICE OPTION: PROCLAIMED / LEGISLATIVE OFFICE OPTION: RESOLVED], that May [year] is designated as ME/CFS Awareness Month and May 12, [year], as International ME/CFS Awareness Day in [State or Territory (or Local)] .