Research Appreciation Day 2026
On 5th July, we marked Research Appreciation Day 2026, celebrating the hard work of health researchers and scientists worldwide.
This year, the organisers of Research Appreciation Day highlight that “All breakthroughs in healthcare are made thanks to the work of researchers.” Therefore, we are proud to spotlight the vital ME/CFS studies currently funded by ME Research UK and express our gratitude to all the researchers involved.
We also asked researchers – Prof. Dr. Lode Godderis, Dr Sarah Annesley, and Professor Chris Ponting – about their experiences of collaboration within ME Research UK-funded research and related activities.
Furthermore, we highlighted the continued impact of the Researcher Circle, launched last year, which provides ongoing support for PhD-level students and early-career researchers working on projects funded by the charity.
Steps forward for our researchers
The team at Griffith University is on a roll at the moment, having recently published more findings arising from their brain imaging research funded by ME Research UK over the past few years.
This time they have turned their attention to the glymphatic system, which is responsible for clearing waste products from the brain.
Dr Kiran Thapaliya’s paper in Frontiers of Neuroscience reports that people with ME/CFS had dysfunction of the glymphatic system, which was associated with greater severity of symptoms, including sleep dysfunction and cognitive impairment.
Big Give Christmas Challenge 2026 – Help us – Become a Pledger Today
Only one month before the Pledge phase of The Big Give 2026 ends. Pledges are the bedrock of our once-a year online fundraising drive. Thanks to our supporters, we are at more than 75% of our goal!
Learn more and pledge to invest in ME research today
Fundraisers – Thank you!
At ME Research UK we are blessed with so many incredible fundraisers. This month we are highlighting the incredible story of Dr Rebecca Williams Dinsdale – a prize-winning triple graduate, and a person with lived experience of severe ME. She explains in depth the reasons why being involved in fundraising has played such an important role in her life.
“…After a decade of raising small amounts with help from family and fitter friends, my husband Kevin and I had an ethical wedding. At the time I was very unwell, so we held an afternoon church service with a request for no gifts – only donations to ME research. The joy of raising thousands of pounds made up for any lack of material goods.”
“Thank you to all those who work and support this wonderful organisation. We need, respect and admire every effort ME Research UK makes on our behalf. …”
Fundraising looks different for everyone. At ME Research UK, there is no “right” way to make a difference, and no contribution is too small. This is why we are exploring new fundraising opportunities, and we want to hear your views.
Thank you so much to our new fundraisers this month, and to everyone who has supported the charity. We welcome Naomi Harvey, Katrina and Mark, and Donald Jack. Read their stories.
Research needs scientists, but it also needs a community. Every project we fund is made possible by supporters who share one belief: that people with ME/CFS deserve answers. Join our community of change.
Articles
ME/CFS and “chronic overlapping pain conditions”
Many people with ME/CFS also live with other illnesses, such as fibromyalgia, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), chronic migraine, endometriosis, or painful temporomandibular disorders. A recent review explored the evidence surrounding “Chronic overlapping pain conditions” (COPCs) – “ overlapping pain conditions that frequently co-occur and may involve partially overlapping mechanisms.”
Other topics explored in July include ME/CFS and general anaesthesia and pacing by heart rate monitoring.
Help us make the breakthrough
We know that, as a subscriber to our newsletter and someone who is interested in our work, you join us in the belief that only robust scientific research is the key to understanding ME/CFS.
Donations from our valued supporters are vital if we are to continue our work to inform, influence and invest in ME/CFS research globally.
