Every year, on May 12th, join the millions of people who participate on this day by holding various events to raise awareness for fibromyalgia, an invisible and debilitating chronic condition.

The date is commemorated annually as International Fibromyalgia Awareness Day, International Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS) Day, and Multiple Chemical Sensitivity (MCS). It is also shared by Canada Health Day and International Nurses’ Day.

There exists in this world several conditions that are notable not just for the pain and suffering they cause to the patient and their loved ones but also for the fact that to the outside world, everything seems okay. These are referred to as “invisible diseases,” and together they affect 235 million people worldwide. Your neighbor, the person using a handicapped tag but with no visible impairment, your child’s teacher: all of these people may be suffering without scars.  – paindoctor.com

Since 1992, May 12 has been designated as International Fibromyalgia Awareness Day. Across the country and around the world, fibromyalgia patients and their families, friends and caregivers are devoting time during May to raise funds and build awareness of this chronic disease.

A complete list of the diseases addressed on this day, also know as International Awareness Day for Chronic Immunological and Neurological Diseases (CIND), include Fibromyalgia (FM), Myalgic Encephalomyelitis (ME), Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS), Gulf War Syndrome/Illness (GWS/GWI), and Multiple Chemical Sensitivity (MCS).