ME/CFS Support (Auckland) Incorported

 

Around 6,000 Aucklanders suffer from ME/CFS. That's the greatest number of any city in New Zealand. It's around 1/3 of all the sufferers in the country.

 

What we do

Our purpose

 

To improve the well-being of individuals suffering from Myalgic Encephalomyelitis (also known as Chronic Fatigue Syndrome) and/or Fibromyalgia in the Auckland region.

 

 

Objectives

 

To provide information and advisory services and support for residents principally of the Auckland region suffering from Myalgic Encephalomyelitis (also known as Chronic Fatigue Syndrome) and/or Fibromyalgia together with their caregivers and families/whanau.

 

To advance the well-being and support of such persons.

 

To promote an awareness and understanding of these illnesses

 

 

2020 goals

750 

members & volunteers

3

field

workers

$100k

funding p.a.

10

support groups

History

 

In 2013, the coordinators of the West Auckland, East Auckland and North Shore support groups recognised the need to bring Auckland wide support to those with ME/CFS.

 

Yvonne Bristow, Wendy Matthews and Anton Reinauer met and discussed the need for field workers. There were none in Auckland, despite Auckland having an estimated 6,000 sufferers, many of whom are severely disabled, and most facing difficulty accessing information, help, a diagnosis and recognition of the severity of the illness. 

 

In 2014, John Kelliher (who was previously Secretary and Manager for Bay of Plenty ME/CFS Support) was relocating to Auckland and offered his help in setting up the society.

 

ME Auckland had its inaugural meeting on 31st August 2013. It became an incorporated society on 6th September 2013 and a registered charity on 19th February 2014 (Charity No. CC50218).

 

In April 2016 ME Auckland contracted its first field worker, Bronwyn-Leigh McInroy, to help in schools.