March is International Women’s Month. In recognition of the influence that women have had on public policy, social progress and the quality of life, NexStar Media Group launched the “Remarkable Women” nationwide initiative. MEadvocacy made TV news in Eastern North Carolina when, Colleen Steckel, one of our advisory committee members was interviewed by WNCT multimedia journalist Katie Augustine as a local nominee for “Remarkable Women”. 

The video of the interview quickly spread through social media with over 5,200 video views since originally airing on Feb 11, 2020. Colleen is one of four women nominees from her local area. On March 6, one of these women will be selected to go to New York to attend The Mel Robbins Show where the winner of the Nexstar Woman of the Year will be announced.  

We are grateful that Colleen’s husband, David, nominated her which led to an interview in their home. 

This is a unique opportunity for myalgic encephalomyelitis (ME) to be seen by a wider audience and bring much-needed recognition to ME as a distinct disease.

MEadvocacy’s “Resources” page, which contains valuable information on ME, was mentioned in the interview, as well as the ME International Consensus Primer for Clinical Practitioners.

NOTE:  Those in the EU can view the video uploaded by WNCT to their Facebook page or by visiting MEadvocacy.org’s Facebook page.

WHAT YOU CAN DO:

• Sign the #PwME4ICC petition asking the US Dept of Health and Human Services (HHS) to adopt the International Consensus Criteria to help bring about the change Colleen is recommending.
• Comment on the post at WNCT-TV
• Comment on Colleen’s post on the Remarkable Women 2020 Facebook page
• Share MEadvocacy.org blogs widely to help educate about the reality of ME