For some while we have been
thinking that we need to try to attract more funding which we can direct toward
biomedical research - research which can be performed without the constraints or
influence of a powerful psychosocial lobby which still influences MRC policy.
Donations which we receive are
used to support the international conferences, educational dvd production,
production of books and guidelines and postage costs related to these etc.
Education is a major part of
biomedical research. Students need to attend conferences such as ours,
healthcare professionals need to have the latest research presented to them
regarding ME and researchers themselves need to meet, network and establish
working relationships with each other. Researchers must also begin sharing data
and working in co-operation.
We want to continue to fund
education and provide the platform for the biomedical research conferences. We
also wish to try to support other areas of biomedical research - by funding
biomedical research staff, providing educational opportunities and in assisting
with equipment and other costs of researchers performing purely biomedical
research into ME.
So IiME has set up a fund for
these activities. We have no illusions we will be a major force in supplying
funding for biomedical research. But we are committed to trying and hope other
ME charities will do the same.
We began this by allocating 20
tickets to the international conference 2009 on 29th May to medical or healthcare
students in order that they may come and listen to the latest information on
management, treatments, diagnosis and the latest advances in research into ME.
In the UK medical students receive little education regarding ME and it seems
often to be influenced by biased or outdated information. We hope to change
this.
