Dr. Alain Moreau, who directs OMF's Collaborative Research Center in Montreal, and his team have published new findings that may help explain why exertion triggers post-exertional malaise (PEM) in people with ME/CFS. The research centers on irisin, a protein released by muscles during exercise, and its relationship with thrombospondin-1 (TSP-1), a protein involved in immune response and wound healing. Comparing 92 people with ME/CFS to 44 sedentary healthy controls, the team

If you live with ME, Long COVID, or another energy-limiting illness, you know the particular exhaustion of explaining your condition to a stranger, again and again, just to get through a day that already takes everything you have. Travel can make this worse: lineups, unfamiliar staff, no time to rest between steps. The Hidden Disabilities Sunflower Program offers a small but meaningful way to skip that explanation. The Sunflower is a discreet lanyard, pin, or sticker that sig

For many people living with ME and Long COVID, one of the hardest parts of the illness isn’t a symptom you can point to on a chart. It’s the silence of a world that has stopped including you, where contact fades, and life can become something you watch from a distance. These illnesses can shrink a person’s world. Post-exertional malaise, profound fatigue, and unpredictable energy strip away work, friendships, family gatherings, hobbies, and community. What’s left for many is

A joint analysis by Risklayer and the ME Research Foundation, updated in April 2026, has put a price tag on what patients, caregivers, and advocates have long known: these are serious, debilitating conditions with massive consequences not just for individuals, but for all of society. What the Report Found The report, which covers the six-year period from 2020 to 2025, concludes that Long COVID and ME cost German society €318.8 billion over six years. In 2025 alone, the combin

If you're living with ME, Long COVID, or fibromyalgia, you may be entitled to significant financial support through the Disability Tax Credit (DTC), a federal program that many people with these conditions don't know they qualify for, or don't know how to access. This post walks you through what the DTC is, who it's for, how to apply, and how to have a productive conversation with your healthcare practitioner so they can support your application effectively. What Is the Disab

Spearheaded by the United Way BC (UWBC), in partnership with health authorities, this relatively new program links patients to non-clinical services to improve health and reduce isolation. Designed for those 60+, social prescribing is now offered in the majority of British Columbia's 89 local health areas. As the ME|FM Society of BC receives requests for information about meal assistance, we are thankful to note that the program includes food security programs (Good Food Box

Most people have never heard of myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome. Fewer still understand how many lives it quietly consumes. A closer look at the numbers reveals a disease burden that is not just significant, it is extraordinary. What Is Prevalence, and Why Does It Matter? When researchers talk about disease burden, one of the most fundamental questions they ask is: how many people does this affect? Prevalence is the measure of how many people are currently

For many Canadians living with a disability, the path to financial support is anything but straightforward. Complex forms, confusing eligibility rules, and mountains of paperwork can turn what should be a lifeline into an exhausting ordeal. Inclusion Canada is working to change that one appointment at a time. The Problem with Applying for Disability Benefits Canada offers several significant financial programs for people with disabilities: the Disability Tax Credit (DTC), the