Emerge Australia

Emerge Australia efforts include peer support groups, Health Promotion activities, awareness and fundraising activities, advocacy, seminars and a dedicated Member information service. They produce a quarterly Emerge Journal.

"We are determined to strengthen the national response to ME/CFS and welcome and encourage all State and Territory organisations, communities and individuals to join with us as we move forward with hope, vigour and a commitment to lead."

The current CEO of Emerge Australia is Anne Wilson.

Aims

From Emerge Australian website:

Mission - To support, provide information and advocacy for people associated with Myalgic Encephalomyelitis (ME)/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS).

Vision - Universal awareness and acknowledgement of ME/CFS as a medical condition.

Values - To serve the best interests of people affected by ME/CFS with integrity, compassion and empathy.

Funding

In July 2018, Emerge Australia received $370,000 in Federal Department of Health funding to support its work.

History

The 'ME Society' was formed in 1980 in Victoria, and included patients from Tasmania, South Australia and Western Australia. The New South Wales and ACT societies formed independently, at the same time. The society's quarterly information brochure, 'Emerge', began in 1980. In 2014, the society was renamed from 'ME/CFS Australia (Victoria)' to 'Emerge Australia'.

Chief Executive Officer 2015-2016 Amanda Kelly

Chief Executive Officer 2016 - Leisl Jackson (acting)

Chief Executive Officer 2016-2017 - Elizabeth Logan

Chief Executive Officer 2017-2018 - John Jeffries

Chief Executive Officer 2019 - 2020 - Heidi Nicholl

Chief Executive Officer 2021 - Anne Wilson

Advocacy actions

• 2016: An open letter is sent to Queen Mary University of London, and the Information Commissioner's Office in the UK, asking for the release of the PACE trial data.

Talks and interviews

• Vimeo channel - Emerge seminars
• 24 Sept 2013 "ME Phillips Radio Interview 2013"
• 20 May 2014, "ME/CFS 774 ABC Radio 2014 Richard Stubbs and Nicole Phillips"
• 27 May 2014, "ME Part 1 Byron Bay Lighthouse FM MAY 2014"
• 27 May 2014, "ME Part 2 Byron Bay Lighthouse FM MAY 2014"
• 23 Feb 2016, The Wire Radio in Australia covers the dismal research spending into ME and interviews patient Sasha Nimmo, former Senator Scott Ludlam and Sally Missing, President of Emerge Australia

• 2 Sep 2019, Living with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome: Dr Heidi Nicholl, former Emerge CEO along with Researcher Professor Paul Fisher interviewed by Philip Clark on Nightlife

Online presence

• FaceBook
• Give Now (donations)
• Linked In
• Twitter
• Website

See also

• Australia
• Australian ME/CFS Biobank

Learn more

• Emerge Australia website

myalgic encephalomyelitis (M.E.) - A disease often marked by neurological symptoms, but fatigue is sometimes a symptom as well. Some diagnostic criteria distinguish it from chronic fatigue syndrome, while other diagnostic criteria consider it to be a synonym for chronic fatigue syndrome. A defining characteristic of ME is post-exertional malaise (PEM), or post-exertional neuroimmune exhaustion (PENE), which is a notable exacerbation of symptoms brought on by small exertions. PEM can last for days or weeks. Symptoms can include cognitive impairments, muscle pain (myalgia), trouble remaining upright (orthostatic intolerance), sleep abnormalities, and gastro-intestinal impairments, among others. An estimated 25% of those suffering from ME are housebound or bedbound. The World Health Organization (WHO) classifies ME as a neurological disease.

See myalgic encephalomyelitis.

See chronic fatigue syndrome.