<div>To my family, friends, and colleagues,
</div>
<div><br />
</div>
<div>I'd like to thank each of you for your partnership and support over the years! I smile as I think about the problems we solved and all the great things we've done together.
</div>
<div><br />
</div>
<div>But on a personal note, behind my scenes, there is still one HUGE unsolved challenge - my wife <strong>Marcie's 30+ years of suffering.</strong>
</div>
<div><br />
</div>
<div>In the early 1990s, Marcie got infected by the flu virus.... and never recovered. Termed Myalgic Encephalomyelitis (ME), or chronic fatigue syndrome, this largely ignored disease has led to Marcie being robbed of so much of her quality of life for decades now. Chronic pain, lack of energy, poor sleep, concentration issues,... <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qBriPTFOtmY&amp;list=PLohlgFAIWwgii1TzPcgzqrvxKJQYhFb4l&amp;index=3" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">symptoms</a> you and I and your loved ones cannot possibly imagine have been Marcie's constant battle, every minute of every day for 32 years and counting now.
</div>
<div><br />
</div>
<div>Sadly, our healthcare system has been unable to make a difference for the millions of ME patients like Marcie for so long now. Especially watching what many of you have done to help so many patients with other diseases during those same decades.
</div>
<div><br />
</div>
<div>And now, the situation is dramatically worsening as the world increasingly confronts the lingering, unresolved chronic impacts following the billions of acute Covid-19 virus infections. Commonly referred to as Long Covid, <a href="https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/covid19/pulse/long-covid.htm" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">dozens of millions</a> (in the US alone) are getting ill just like Marcie did decades ago. The economic costs are massive already - estimated to be in the $<a href="https://scholar.harvard.edu/files/cutler/files/long_covid_update_7-22.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Trillions</a>, with as many as <a href="https://www.brookings.edu/research/new-data-shows-long-covid-is-keeping-as-many-as-4-million-people-out-of-work/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">4 million</a> out of work as a result. CNBC refers to Long Covid as the '<a href="https://www.cnbc.com/2022/11/30/why-long-covid-could-be-the-next-public-health-disaster.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">next public health disaster rivaling the Great Recession</a>.'
</div>
<div><br />
</div>
<div>We can avoid this outcome!
</div>
<div><br />
</div>
<div>Let's put our collective will and smarts together to shorten the plight for these newly ill and to finally deliver relief to the millions who've suffered from post-viral infectious diseases for years like Marcie.
</div>
<div><br />
</div>
<div>It will take a growing, relentless focus to marshal societal awareness, government engagement, and scientific innovation to Solve the challenge. That's precisely what the Solve ME Initiative has been working to do. And we've been doing so for over 35 years, longer than any other patient-led advocacy organization in the space.
</div>
<div><br />
</div>
<div>In retirement, I am throwing myself at this cause. Join me to help make a difference:
</div>
<ul>
<li>Write me (<a href="https://jnicols.com" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">[email redacted]</a>) to get involved
</li>
<li>Donate to this year-end GoFundMe campaign
</li>
<li>Contribute directly to <a href="https://secure.solvecfs.org/site/Donation2;jsessionid=00000000.app30121a?df_id=1400&amp;1400.donation=form1&amp;mfc_pref=T&amp;NONCE_TOKEN=D48BDE1EA76B646DBB4CB65CB3FE7206" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Solve ME</a>
</li>
</ul>
<div><br />
</div>
<div>I'd love to share with you all the terrific work and successes of Solve ME and Solve Long Covid over my eight years of involvement. As Board Chair, I can assure you that any donation, big or small, that you may graciously make will be super appreciated and used impactfully and efficiently.
</div>
<div><br />
</div>
<div>Thank you!
</div>
<div><strong><em>John</em></strong>
</div>
<div><br />
</div>
<div><br />
</div>
<div><br />
</div>
<div>More information about <a href="https://solvecfs.org/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><em>Solve ME</em></a><em> </em>
</div>
<div><br />
</div>
<div>More details about Solve<a href="https://solvecfs.org/solve-long-covid/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><em> Long Covid</em></a>
</div>

James Anderson

TR Baruch

Aaron Lizee

Kristin Nicols

Anonymous

Dwight Raff

Anke Krebber

Asli Aras

Michael Aldridge

Howard Goldstein

Lois Golterman

Rodrigo Pinto

Gregory Hughes

Bernard J Kelley

Annemarie Nicols-Grinenko

Dipnath Baidyaroy

Help the MILLIONS Afflicted by ME and Long Covid

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Help the MILLIONS Afflicted by ME and Long Covid

Still $14,345 to go. Help us build momentum.