If you wish to continue receiving the newsletter, you must contact Carol by June 1 (see last page). If a star appears after your name on the mailing label, you have already been "renewed". The newsletter is still free, though donations are welcome. Since our mailing list is over 800 and we now have to pay our own postage, this was considered a necessary move.

The CFIDS Association of America, the largest national CFIDS organization in the country, named our group the best "all around" support group for CFS in the nation!

Steve Jacobs, publisher of the Northeast section of the Ft. Worth Star-Telegram, attended our January meeting. He wrote an excellent article about CFS and our support group. It appeared in the January 26, 2001 edition of the Northeast section of the Ft. Worth Star-Telegram.

Many of our members are chemically sensitive to a multitude of products. Out of consideration for others, please do not wear perfume, cologne, or clothes that have been exposed to smoke or other chemicals to the meeting. Please mention this to any family or friends that may be coming with you. Your thoughtfulness will be greatly appreciated.

A consensus panel convened on March 20 by the CDC (Centers for Disease Control) and the CFIDS Association of America announced that stress by itself does not appear to cause CFS. It can exacerbate it if it is already present, but viral and/or bacterial infections were named as possible triggers.

May 12th is Awareness Day for CFS/FM. If you would like to place brochures in your local library, request a proclamation from your city council, or work for two to three hours at one of three hospital displays, contact Carol. Most importantly, packets on how to write your congressional representatives are also available. Call or email Carol to receive these materials.

We are now listed as a cause! You can shop online at www.igive.com to raise money for our support group. IGive has over 200 merchants listed on this that site donate to the cause you designate.

You'll find sites featuring:

• heath
• books
• clothing
• lawn and garden
• groceries/gourmet
• toys
• automotive
• computers/software
• pets
• electronics
• office supplies
• music/video 

If you click on a merchant link from within iGive.com and purchase some item from that merchant, a percentage of your purchase is donated to your designated cause. Merchants include Amazon.com, eToys, Barnes and Noble, WalMart, JC Penney, Spiegel, and immunesupport.com formerly the CFIDS Buyer's Club!

Check out IGive, list "CFS/FM Support Group of DFW" as your cause, shop away and let the merchants donate to our group!

Many thanks to the amazing women at Emmanuel Presbyterian Church. They continue to willingly take care of the folding, stapling, and labeling of this newsletter. We are very grateful for all your hard work on our behalf.

Many thanks also to Harris Methodist HEB Hospital. They allow us to continue using their facilities to print this newsletter. Your support is greatly appreciated. Without you all this publication would not be possible.

Published quarterly, the DFW Lighthouse strives to inform its members and the public about a variety of topics related to chronic Fatigue Syndrome and Fibromyalgia and provide information on advocacy issues. The CFS/FM Support Group of DFW does not endorse particular products or services, and the ideas expressed the in the DFW Lighthouse are strictly those of the authors or the quoted individuals. The CFS/FM Support Group of DFW, and the DFW Lighthouse assume no liability for any medical treatment or other activity undertaken by readers. For any medical advice, consult your health-care provider.