Education & Advocacy Meeting:

Ongoing:
2 nd Tuesday of each month
1:00-2:30 PM
The Peter M. Wege Health & Learning Center
(Wege North Building at St. Mary’s Hospital),
300 Lafayette Ave. SE, Grand Rapids, MI 49503
Conference Room #11 (subject to change)

Share & Care Meeting:

Ongoing:
4th Thursday of each month (Jan-Oct)
7:00-9:00 PM
St. Mary’s Healthcare Southwest
2373 64th Street
Byron Center, MI 49315

For additional information, contact

Lori Chapo-Kroger, RN
231.360.6830 c
616.805.4135 f
cfssolutionswm@gmail.com
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/cfsswolutionswm Dedicated to improving
quality of life
well-being
caliber of care
for people with
Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
(ME/CFS)
CFS Solutions of West Michigan is a 501c3 tax-exempt non-profit organization.

CFS Solutions of West Michigan is an upbeat support, educational,
and advocacy group dedicated to improving the quality of life, well-
being, and caliber of care for people with Myalgic Encephalomyelitis,
otherwise known as Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS).
ME/CFS is a chronic, life-altering, debilitating, and sometimes-fatal
illness that affects more than a million Americans, with more than
eight thousand lives devastated in West Michigan alone. More than
1,500 of these live on disability income, resulting in an area-wide
loss of productivity estimated at $161.6 million annually. And yet, it
remains an elusive and often misunderstood illness with no known
cause or cure.
With an area-wide shortage of skilled healthcare providers compe-
tent in the diagnosis and treatment of ME/CFS patients, up to 80%
of those stricken with the illness remain undiagnosed and untreat-
ed, and yet early diagnosis and treatment is key to creating better
outcomes and reducing levels of disability.
CFS Solutions of West Michigan’s goal is to provide all ME/CFS
patients with the same access to health care and research funding
as patients with other prevalent diseases. We seek to improve treat-
ments and services by educating and empowering patients, care-
givers, and healthcare providers, and we work to fill the gaps where
the current healthcare system is failing.
We are in the process of trying to locate and cultivate competent,
interested, and compassionate doctors who would be willing to learn
about and treat ME/CFS patients in each West Michigan community
in hopes of creating a network of qualified healthcare professionals
dedicated to meeting the needs of this underserved population.
CFS Solutions of West Michigan focuses its efforts on three areas:
Support
 roviding emotional support and encouragement for patients and
P
caregivers, both individually and through our bi-monthly meetings
Delivering
 direct support and assistance with activities of daily living
including help with transportation, meals, referrals to caregivers &
services, etc.
 ffering open-format “share and care” discussion/support group
O
meetings for people with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and their
families and friends
Education
 osting monthly community-based classes and workshops on a variety
H
of topics of interest to people with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and their
caregivers
Distributing
 Healthcare Provider and Patient Information Packets
containing the latest in research findings, treatment options, and
additional resources
Utilizing social networking technology to maintain an Internet-based

informational presence and provide links to additional sources of
ME/CFS expertise
Performing
 community outreach by serving as an area-wide infor-
mational resource for the newly diagnosed and those in need of solid
answers and direction about the disorder
Nurturing
 positive relationships with area media outlets by providing
regular informational updates, public service announcements, and
video spots for the benefit of patients and the community
Advocacy
 dvocating on behalf of patients at the local, state and national levels
A
to raise awareness of ME/CFS, to facilitate improved treatment and
service options, and to affect change in health and public policy
 etworking with the top researchers and clinicians in the ME/CFS
N
field by attending national meetings and workshops to keep pace with
the latest in research-based knowledge
Serving as a liaison between patients and physicians