Europe is gearing up for its third #MillionsMissing Day of Action set for May 12th, which is the international day of awareness for Myalgic Encephalomyelitis (ME).

Organizers from #MillionsMissing groups across Europe are working together to share ideas and prepare for their awareness events in Norway, Belgium, Germany, the Netherlands, France, Denmark, Iceland, Spain, Sweden, the Isle of Man and the U.K.

The #MillionsMissing rallies in Europe will focus on public awareness for ME, education in the medical community on ME, and more money for biomedical research. The organizers plan to present solutions for addressing these issues to their governments.

#MEAction is not coordinating a #MillionsMissing global Day of Action but, instead, will focus its staff time on supporting congressional advocacy in Washington, D.C. in May in partnership with SolveCFS. However, we encourage cities everywhere to participate in the #MillionsMissing Day of Action on May 12th along with Europe, and we will make our resources (posters, fact sheets, talking points etc.) available to anyone interested in organizing a #MillionsMissing rally or protest in your city.

#MillionsMissing began when one activist wanted to organize a protest in Washington D.C. in May 2016, and approached #MEAction about using our platform to connect with the community. Eleven cities across the globe joined that May protest, wishing to make a stand for their lives against negligent governments. #MillionsMissing grew exponentially that fall when 25 cities in 14 countries organized protests and rallies once again to demand their governments stop the neglect, and to raise awareness for ME. People with ME also joined the rallies from their homes – setting out empty shoes and sharing photos of them online – and the #millionsmissing hashtag trended on social media.

#Millionsmissing represents the millions of ME patients around the world missing from their careers, schools, social lives and families due to the debilitating symptoms of the disease. At the same time, millions of dollars are missing from research funding that ME should be receiving based on its disease burden. And, millions of doctors are missing out on proper training to diagnose and help patients manage this illness.

This video showcases the first #MillionsMissing Day of Action in May 2016.

Learn more about the #MillionsMissing movement.

If you are interested in hosting a #MillionsMissing protest or rally in your city on May 12th, and would like to connect with the European organizers, please email [email protected].

Also, if you would like access to the #MillionsMissing materials that already exist (posters, fact sheets, talking points, photos, videos etc.), please email [email protected]. Check out photos from the previous #MillionsMissing on our website beneath “Media Resources.”