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2025 Annual Meeting Overlooked: Less Studied Pathologies across ME/CFS, Long COVID, and Related Illnesses |
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Guest Speaker: Beth Pollack, Research Scientist, |
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Beth Pollack discussed aspects of ME/CFS, Long COVID, and co-occurring conditions that profoundly impact patients yet remain under-researched and frequently overlooked. She provided an overview of the current research landscape and findings, shared insights from emerging research at MIT, and highlighted new collaborative projects with her colleagues that are advancing our understanding of these topics.
Focus areas included common comorbid conditions; hypermobility and connective tissue damage; spinal pathologies; environmental sensitivities; reproductive conditions, and more. Her talk synthesized what is currently known, identified critical gaps in understanding, and illuminated the next steps and opportunities for more comprehensive research that can inform clinical care.
Beth Pollack is a Research Scientist in the Department of Biological Engineering in the Tal Research Group at MIT, where she leads research on ME/CFS and the overlaps among infection-associated chronic illnesses. Her work focuses on understudied pathologies that significantly impact patients, with the goal of accelerating knowledge, clinical research, and treatments. She is currently a collaborator on four clinical studies on infection-associated chronic illnesses, and also serves on two NIH RECOVER working groups focused on Long COVID therapeutics and clinical trial design.
Beth was chair of the NIH ME/CFS Research Roadmap subgroup on Less Studied Pathologies, was previously a senior researcher at Harvard, and in 2024 was named a United States Leader by the Obama Foundation. Committed to increasing understanding and awareness of chronic illness, she has been interviewed by The New York Times, The Atlantic, The Guardian, NPR, and other publications. |
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Please fill out our post-event survey |
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Sunday Conversations "A Community Conversation about the Disability Process” Sunday, November 16, 2025, 4 p.m. Eastern Time |
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We will review the Disability Assistance resources on our website and break into small groups to discuss what has worked, barriers you have run into, and try to answer questions you may have. Whether you are still working and seeking accommodations, negotiating the disability application process, or have questions about your disability benefits, we hope you will find the discussion helpful.
The discussions will not be recorded.
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Previously recorded presentations, slides, and other resources from past events are available on the main Sunday Conversations Page. |
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Help us plan for 2026! The Sunday Conversations team welcomes new members. Let us know if you are interested or have any questions. We'll follow up with more information. |
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Wellness Workshop |
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Each session features a different theme or activity followed by reflection, processing, and sharing.
*Due to professional guidelines, you must be a MA resident to attend.
The group meets monthly on Zoom, Tuesdays from 2:00pm - 3:30pm ET.
Registration is ongoing, join at any time.
December 9 January 13 |
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New England Meet Up Group
This group is for our younger Gen Z and Millennials to gather together and support each other.
*Due to professional guidelines, you must be a resident of MA, ME, NH, VT, RI, or CT to attend.
The group meets monthly on Zoom, Thursdays from 2:00pm - 3:30pm ET.
New members are always welcome!
November 18 December 16 January 27 |
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Podcast by Amy Mooney, OT, on Improving Quality of Life |
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One of our Sunday Conversations presenters, Amy Mooney, Occupational Therapist, has a new podcast on improving quality of life by focusing on energy management and attention to stressors. Listen here.
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Short Caregivers Resource Guide from NPR |
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National Public Radio (NPR) has published a short caregivers guide with advice and stories from people who have been there. The last section on more resources has useful links to organizations that can help.
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Dysautonomia International Meetup in Massachusetts |
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Dysautonomia International's Massachusetts Support Group invites patients and caregivers to an in-person meetup on November 18 athe the Northhamton Forbes Library. Full details here.
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Massachusetts ME/CFS & FM Association is a 501c3 non-profit registered in the state of Massachusetts. |
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Massachusetts ME/CFS & FM AssociationPO Box 690305Quincy, MA 02269
617-471-5559 contact@MassMECFS.org |
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© ::Massachusetts ME/CFS & FM Association::. All Rights Reserved |
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https://massme.monkeypod.io/mailcoach/webview/campaign/ebf218fb-1d4b-4136-b747-54efd1df1d4a ::unsubscribeLink:: |