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The True Cost of Long COVID and ME
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
info519251
May 123 min read
The Disability Tax Credit: What People with ME, Long COVID, and Fibromyalgia Need to Know
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
info519251
May 114 min read
In need of meals and other support? Learn about Social Prescribing, a rapidly expanding service in all BC health regions.
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
ME|FM Society of BC
May 111 min read
One in Twenty-Nine: The Staggering Reach of ME/CFS
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
info519251
Apr 283 min read
Your Donation Just Got Three Times More Powerful
This May, your support for the ME/CFS community goes further than ever. From May 1 to June 1, 2026, Opera Mariposa and the ME | FM Society of BC are running a triple-match fundraising campaign — meaning every dollar you donate is matched to deliver three times the impact. Here's how it works: generous sponsors have committed to tripling every donation received, up to a total of $3,000 in contributions. If we hit that goal, the Society receives $9,000 in total, a $6,000 boost
info519251
Apr 271 min read
Navigating the Maze: How the Barrier-Free Benefits Program Is Changing Lives
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
info519251
Apr 123 min read
Long COVID: Why Clarity Matters More Than Ever
Recently, our Society was involved in reviewing a Long COVID research protocol. There were several concerns. But one stood out. The study largely treated Long COVID as a single illness, with a single protocol design for all participants, implicitly assuming that all Long COVID patients have similar symptoms, risks, and responses to treatment. That assumption is the problem. Because what we call “Long COVID” is not one condition. It is a catch-all term for a few very different
ME|FM Society of BC
Mar 263 min read
Solve M.E. Research Announcement
Two upcoming research projects, Effect of Semaglutide on ME/CFS Symptoms and Discovery of Target Antigens for Dysfunctional T Cells in ME/CFS and Long COVID , bring hope for improved diagnosis and targeted treatments. Read more about these projects here .
ME|FM Society of BC
Mar 31 min read
Science Is Finally Validating Your Reality
The information below was initially shared on January 9, 2026. In November, researchers at the University of East Anglia announced a blood test that diagnoses ME/CFS with 96% accuracy . Let that sink in! For years, many of you have been told your illness is "all in your head." This test proves what you already knew: ME/CFS has a clear biological signature. It's measurable. It's real. "For the first time, we have a simple blood test that can reliably identify ME/CFS — potent
ME|FM Society of BC
Mar 21 min read
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