Rainbow at shoreline

The Massachusetts ME/CFS & FM Association, a 501(c)3 founded in 1985, exists to meet the needs of patients with ME (Myalgic Encephalomyelitis), CFS (Chronic Fatigue Syndrome) or FM (Fibromyalgia), their families and loved ones. The Massachusetts ME/CFS & FM Association works to educate health-care providers and the general public regarding these severely-disabling physical illnesses. We also support patients and their families and advocate for more effective treatment and research.

The American Association of Blood Banking (AABB), on June 18, 2010, issued a Bulletin to its member blood collectors requesting that ME/CFS patients be actively discouraged from donating blood because of the "risk of transmission of XMRV" (Xenotropic Murine-Related Virus). In October, 2009 the journal Science published a study which presented evidence of an association of XMRV with ME/CFS. In making this recommendation, the AABB is concerned about the safety of the U.S. blood supply.  

[2015 editiorial note: Even though it was disproven in 2012 that ME/CFS patients are infected with XMRV, it is prudent to refrain from donating blood or tissue due to the high probability of being carriers of other infectitious agents. See p. 30 of ME/CFS: A Primer for Practicing Clinicians.]

Notice about names

The Massachusetts ME/CFS & FM Association would like to clarify the use of the various acronyms for Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS), Chronic Fatigue & Immune Dysfunction Syndrome (CFIDS) and  Myalgic Encephalomyelitis (ME) on this site. When we generate our own articles on the illness, we will refer to it as ME/CFS, the term now generally used in the United States. When we are reporting on someone else’s report, we will use the term they use. The National Institutes of Health (NIH) and other federal agencies, including the CDC, are currently using ME/CFS. 

Massachusetts ME/CFS & FM Association changed its name in July, 2018, to reflect this consensus.