When I was diagnosed with CFS eleven years ago, I researched where to turn for hope and help, and I found the CFIDS Association of America to be one of the most important places to turn to (the nonprofit Phoenix Rising is another). I had quickly realized that awareness of ME/CFS in the medical community is low and that ME/CFS research is hugely underfunded - and that until reasonable funding is directed towards biomedical research, I will remain severely ill and isolated from life. I needed to turn to people and organizations who could make things change. We need a dedicated and tireless effort to foster biomedical research, and right now it's up to us patients and our nonprofits. Without actors in the field like the CAA and Phoenix Rising I don't know where I'd be.