International May 12th Awareness Day

The main illnesses involved in International May 12th Awareness Day are ME/CFS, fibromyalgia, multiple chemical sensitivity, and Gulf War syndrome. Other Chronic Immunological and Neurological Diseases also recognized by the event include Addison's, Alzheimer's, autism, celiac, chronic myofascial pain, Crohn's, epilepsy, irritable bowel disease (IBD), Lou Gehrig's (ALS), lupus, Lyme disease, mold/biotoxin illness, multiple sclerosis (MS), orthostatic intolerance (OI), Parkinson's, postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (POTS), reflex sympathetic dystrophy syndrome (RSD), and ulcerative colitis. == Events ==

International May 12th Awareness Day is observed by dying hair blue or dressing up in blue. Since 2016, the #MillionsMissing protests for ME/CFS have taken place every May, with the main event held on May 12. Film screenings are usually held for films about ME/CFS, including Voices from the Shadows, Forgotten Plague, or Unrest. Public landmarks are lit up in color for International May 12th Awareness Day, typically using blue for ME and purple for fibromyalgia. ==History==

In 2006 a British charity created Severe ME Awareness Day on August 8 as a day of remembrance and understanding for those who died from or with ME. August 8 was chosen because it is the birthday of Sophia Mirza, who was believed to be the first British person to have chronic fatigue syndrome listed as a cause of death. ==Related observances==

• 5/1 – 5/31: Myalgic Encephalomyelitis Awareness Month • 5/1 – 5/31: Fibromyalgia Awareness Month • 5/1 - 5/31: Multiple Chemical Sensitivity Awareness Month • Week of May 12: Myalgic Encephalomyelitis Awareness Week • 8/8: Severe ME Awareness Day ==References==