The science of ME/CFS and FM are at a tipping point. The Bateman Horne Center (BHC) is squarely targeted on bringing these diseases to the mainstream and progress is accelerating. Our powerful combination of an active and specialized medical center of excellence with an innovative research program allows us to most effectively focus on the discovery of biomarkers and it is biomarkers that will improve diagnosis and treatment and put us on a pathway to a cure.

We are engaged in a robust body of research targeting biomarkers. In order to achieve this goal, we need a Research Ready Army of well-defined patients eager to participate. In the past six months more than 100 patients, family members and friends have enrolled in our biomarker research, setting an unprecedented pace of recruitment.

Our Research Ready Army helps drive the discovery of biomarkers by participating in a comprehensive clinical evaluation, answering questions and providing blood samples.  This valuable and secure data is in turn shared with top scientists – each working on different potential biomarkers – moving us forward on multiple discovery fronts:

Current biomarker studies include:

• Identifying infectious agents associated with ME/CFS together with renowned virus-hunter W. Ian Lipkin, MD & Mady Hornig, MD of
  Columbia University
• Finding genetic determinants of decreased natural killer cell function by studying families with ME/CFS together with Drs. Dorothy Hudig & Isabel Barao, University of Nevada, Reno
• Validating potential ME/CFS diagnostic cytokine patterns with Drs. Michael Houghton & Abdolamir Landi, University of Alberta
• Applying comprehensive immunogenomics to identify immune signatures to use as predictive biomarkers with Dr. Derya Unutmaz, the Jackson Laboratory of Genomic Medicine

In addition to this important biomarker research, BHC is also collaborating as a key partner on a number of grants that have been awarded or submitted to the National Institutes of Health including one for FM and four for ME/CFS.  Our patient army is participating in four Fibromyalgia clinical trials including one for young FM patients. And our Ōura ring sleep study is underway, to find the physiological abnormalities to help explain why sleep is unrefreshing, pain is widespread, concentration is impaired and energy stores are depleted.

While this incredible body of research is important and exciting, we feel an urgent need to do more. The science of ME/CFS and FM is at a tipping point. BHC must increase its capacity to see patients and grow our Research Ready Army.  Too many are unable to be seen and can’t be enrolled in the research because we have reached physical and personnel capacity. Medical assistants and research associates are doubled up in offices with no room for expansion. There is no more room for the equipment needed to expand our research program.

How can you play a part? Everyone has something to contribute:

• Engage in the research –  Join our Research Ready Army.
• Join BHC as a monthly donor, providing the consistent support needed to maintain progress.
• Become a one-time donor, understanding that every gift of any size matters; whether it is $5 or 500 shares of stock, you are investing in progress.
• Be an ambassador, activist or change-maker:
  • Follow us on social media and frequently share our information with your circles. BHC is on Facebook, Pinterest, Instagram, Twitter and YouTube
  • Subscribe to our e-news, the Empower Update, and forward it to family and friends who may be interested
  • Lift your voice and tell your story – through the BHC Patient Voice, as an active member of #MEAction, or through your own blog and social media channels
  • Sock it to ME/CFS and FM – along with Dr. Bateman, vow to wear wild and wacky socks until biomarkers are found. At your niece’s wedding, your son’s graduation, to work, to the park, to your next Dr. appointment – wear the craziest socks you can find. When people comment, tell them why you are wearing them. Take pictures and share on social media with the hashtag #SockItToMECFSandFM. Send your picture to us and we’ll add it to our gallery.

Join our army of ME/CFS and FM change-makers! Together we can see a world where ME/CFS and FM are readily diagnosed, effectively treated and widely met with empathy and understanding.

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Our goal is a total commitment of $300,000 by June. We have a pressing need is to recruit monthly donors that will provide ongoing, sustaining revenue in order to maintain and expand this critical work. Every gift, of any size, is an investment that will bring a great return in progress.