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Solve ME/CFS Initiative

From MEpedia, a crowd-sourced encyclopedia of ME and CFS science and history
(Redirected from CAA)
Source: Solve ME/CFS Initiative solvecfs.org

Making breakthroughs possible!

The Solve ME/CFS Initiative ("Solve M.E.") is a not-for-profit organization in the United States started in 1987 by Marc Iverson, aimed at ending ME/CFS (myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome). Originally the organization was named the CFIDS Association of America, but changed its name in 2014.[1] Vice President of Advocacy and Engagement Emily Taylor was named as Solve M.E. President and CEO on April 8, 2024[2]. She was preceded by Kristin Jacobson (October 2023-April 2024)[3], Oved Amitay (2020-2023)[4] and Carol Head (2013-2019).[5] Chair of the Board of Directors is John Nicols.[6]

Solve M.E. serves as a catalyst for critical research into diagnostics, treatments, and cures for ME/CFS, Long Covid and other infection associated chronic conditions and illnesses (IACCIs).

History[edit | edit source]

Kim McCleary served as the CEO of Chronic Fatigue and Immune Dysfunction Syndrome Association of America (or CFIDS) Association of America for 22 years, from 1991 until June 2013. During that time the Association was instrumental in developing a policy ruling for the Social Security Administration (SSA) that recognized ME/CFS as a disabling condition; fought to create the Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Advisory Committee (CFSAC), the ME/CFS advisory committee to the Health and Human Services Department (HHS); exposed the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) misappropriation of millions of dollars designated by Congress for ME/CFS research; and led fundraising and public awareness campaigns for ME/CFS. At this time, the organization has decided to focus on advancing research, both in the private and governmental sectors.[7]

Mission[edit | edit source]

Solve M.E.’s mission is to make ME/CFS, Long Covid, and other IACCIs widely understood, diagnosable, and treatable.[8] Solve's work with the scientific, medical, and pharmaceutical communities, advocacy with government agencies, and alliances with patient groups around the world are laying the foundation for breakthroughs that can improve the lives of millions who suffer these diseases.

DecodeME[edit | edit source]

In December 2020, Solve M.E. announced that they had joined the DecodeME project, a UK-based research initiative involving DNA analysis of ME/CFS patient saliva.[9]

You + ME Registry[edit | edit source]

In July 2020, Solve M.E. opened the You + ME Registry and Biobank[10] — an online clinical study committed to identifying a cure for ME/CFS, Long Covid and other IACCIs. The registry is a fundamental strategic initiative aiming to create the world’s largest longitudinal ME/CFS database and make it available to researchers around the world. We incorporated Long Covid — which shares many similarities with ME/CFS — so that understanding one can illuminate the other.

Designed for and by patients, the registry community is made up of people with ME/CFS, people with Long Covid, and control volunteers, collectively providing the research community with critical insight into the lived experience and genetics. 

In September 2023, You + ME transitioned to Solve's new patient-centered real-world data platform, Solve Together.

Solve Together[edit | edit source]

In September 2023, Solve M.E. launched its new patient-centered real-world data platform Solve Together. Solve Together builds upon the work of the You + ME Registry to further our understanding of ME/CFS, Long Covid, and other IACCIs. The valuable data contributed to You + ME continues to be used by researchers.

Solve Together brings extensive advantages to the patient community and researchers. It integrates multiple data sources designed to speed up the discovery of treatments and cures, make data accessible to researchers, and expedite the identification of diagnostic and therapeutic targets. Patients can create reports for their doctors, sync health-tracking wearables, and discern their distinct symptom and health trends.

Solve Together also enables Solve to connect researchers with individuals interested in participating in clinical research studies.

Any U.S. adult can join Solve Together, whether they have ME/CFS, Long Covid, other IACCIs, or none of these conditions (serving as “control” participants).

Joining is free, voluntary, and participants can opt out anytime.

In April 2025, the Solve Together platform began a collaboration with the Brain Inflammation Collaborative (BIC), ChronicleBio, the Complex Disorders Alliance, and CareEvolution to collate patient data and research.

Solve Together 2025 Collaboration[edit | edit source]

In April 2025, Solve M.E. launched a powerful new collaboration[11] to advance research on ME/CFS, Long Covid, and other IACCIs. The collaboration unites the data and research of Solve M.E., the Brain Inflammation Collaborative (BIC), ChronicleBio, the Complex Disorders Alliance, and CareEvolution.

Long COVID Alliance[edit | edit source]

Solve M.E. announced that they had co-founded the Long COVID Alliance in February 2021 to "transform our understanding of “long haul” diseases, including ME/CFS, Long Covid, and other post-infectious chronic diseases." [12] The alliance is a network of patient-advocates, scientists, disease experts, and drug developers who have joined together to leverage collective knowledge and resources to educate policy makers and accelerate research to transform our understanding of post-viral diseases. 

The Solve Long Covid Initiative

Research Advisory Council[edit | edit source]

The Research Advisory Council is a volunteer advisory group made up of ME/CFS experts in medicine and research that guide the research efforts of Solve M.E. Members include: Anthony Komaroff, MD; Susan Levine, MD; Maureen Hanson, Ph.D.; Rochelle Joslyn, Ph.D.; Sheila Stewart, PhD; Daan Archer, MBA; Peter Rowe, MD; Lucinda Bateman, MD; John Nicols, Eng., MBA, and Morgan Fairchild, Advocate.

Ramsay Grant Program[edit | edit source]

Shortcuts:
  • Ramsay Award
  • Ramsay Grant

Solve M.E. operates a seed grant program for early-stage researchers[13] (not to be confused with ME Association's Ramsay Research Fund). The Ramsay Research Grant Program is the largest source of private, peer-reviewed, research grants in the field of ME/CFS and one of the only avenues researchers have to obtain funding for pilot studies. The Ramsay Program has had huge success in attracting new researchers to the ME/CFS and Long Covid fields and ensuring they stay engaged, while also facilitating applications for larger grants based on promising pilot data.

Since its launch in 2016, Solve M.E. has invested $833,000 in Ramsay Grants, which in turn helped researchers receive over $7,000,000 in additional research funding — a 9X return on the investment. 

Catalyst Investigator Awards[edit | edit source]

Solve M.E. launched the Catalyst Investigator Awards on May 12, 2025 on World ME Day. Whereas the Ramsay Awards are intended to launch pilot programs at the beginning stages of research, the Catalyst Investigator Awards are intended to wrap up the end stages of research by filling gaps and expediting results. The inaugural Catalyst Investigator Award was awarded to Dr. Akiko Iwasaki at Yale University for her study, “Probing Functional Autoantibodies in Patients with ME/CFS.” The second award was announced on June 17, 2025, to Simmaron Research to complete their clinical trial for ME/CFS using low-dose Rapamycin.

Funding[edit | edit source]

100% of their funding comes from individuals — patients and their loved ones.[14]

Charity Navigator[edit | edit source]

Solve M.E. received four out of four stars and 90.23 out of 100 points from Charity Navigator, America's largest independent charity evaluator.[15]

Public awareness campaign[edit | edit source]

Solve ME/CFS Initiative Times Square Public Awareness Ad By SolveCFS (Sep 1, 2016)

Public Service Announcement[edit | edit source]

In August 2022, Solve M.E. launched the first-of-its-kind national TV and Radio Public Service Announcement (PSA) campaign about Long Covid entitled “How Long?”. The goal of the campaign was to broaden awareness of Long Covid, ME/CFS and other IACCIs, create empathy for those who suffer their devastating impact, and highlight the need for research to adequately help patients. The campaign featured :60, :30 and :15 TV and radio ads in English and in Spanish.

Solve created the campaign in collaboration with the Entertainment Industry Foundation (EIF), a unique non-profit that leverages the powerful voice of the entertainment industry to develop and enhance programs on the local, national and global level that facilitate positive social change. The EIF has been instrumental in developing and promoting many important healthcare initiatives, such as Stand Up to Cancer.

Through this partnership, the campaign was supported by nearly $60 million in donated airtime with an estimated audience of nearly 1 billion.

In October 2022, the PSA was followed by a satellite media tour to raise awareness about Long Covid, ME/CFS, and other IACCIs. ME/CFS and Long Covid medical expert, and Solve Research Advisor Council member, Dr. Peter Rowe and Solve board member, health equity expert, and Long Covid patient, Cynthia Adinig, conducted 27 media interviews with nationally affiliated TV and radio news programs in a single day, discussing the desperate need for treatments and cures. Their interviews received over 400 national airings, reaching an estimated audience of 7 million (TV, radio, online).

In each interview, Dr. Rowe explained the complexities of diagnosing and treating Long Covid, emphasizing that it’s not a “new” problem, but just the latest in a long line of infection associated chronic conditions and illnesses (IACCIs), such as ME/CFS. Dr. Rowe told journalists that we must connect the dots and link Long Covid to other IACCIs like ME/CFS in order to apply learnings from prior research. He emphasized the real need to include ME/CFS and other IACCI patients in all studies of Long Covid.

Newsletters[edit | edit source]

The Solve M.E. Chronicle newsletter is released bi-annualy. Archives for past issues are available online.

Solve M.E. also puts out a newsletter with updates via email alerting the community of new webinars, research, and advocacy.

Resources[edit | edit source]

Resources for People with ME/CFS & Caregivers

  • As someone living with and managing ME/CFS, we know you have questions. We've compiled resources and links to information about some of our most commonly asked questions. 

Resources for Medical Providers

  • Because it is not yet fully understood, there is no cure for ME/CFS, nor are there any FDA-approved drugs or treatments. However, there are interventions and symptom-reduction strategies that you can use to significantly improve patients’ quality of life. Providing compassionate and effective care for patients with ME/CFS can be challenging, like many other multisystemic chronic conditions. Patients and their providers must be partners with open lines of communication in order to effectively manage this illness. Visit our website for education on ME/CFS based on current research.

Solve M.E. Webinars

  • Solve M.E. provides a free webinar series to educate patients, researchers, and healthcare providers, as well as to raise awareness of ME/CFS, Long Covid, and other IACCs among scientists, political leaders, and the general public. All webinars are recorded and posted on our website and YouTube channel following the presentation so that you can access the content at your convenience.

Ways to Get Involved[edit | edit source]

Solve M.E. is making breakthroughs that can improve the lives of millions who suffer from ME/CFS, Long Covid, and other infection associated chronic conditions and illnesses (IACCIs). Here are some ways you can join our fight.

  • Join the Solve Together platform which is a collection of patient-reported data and biological samples from people living with ME/CFS, people with Long Covid, and control volunteers. A large, rich dataset gathered over time from thousands of people will drive discovery towards potential treatments and cures.
  • Take Action! Join Our Current Advocacy Efforts: Our online action tools make it easy to learn about the most current advocacy action items, connect with your elected officials, and share your story with your members of Congress.
  • Share Your Story: Humans of M.E. was launched to help increase awareness of — and ultimately research funding for — the millions of people whose lives have been stolen by ME/CFS and Long Covid.
  • Apply for a Ramsay Research Grant: Are you a researcher? Through the Ramsay Research Grant program, Solve M.E. invests in research studies in ME/CFS or Long Covid with a particular emphasis on engaging young investigators and researchers new to the field. Learn more and apply for a Ramsay Grant.
  • Sign Up for Our Webinar Series: Solve M.E. provides a free webinar series to educate patients, researchers, and healthcare providers about ME/CFS, Long Covid and other post-infection diseases.
  • Subscribe to our Newsletter: Stay up-to-date on the most recent information and expertise related to ME/CFS, Long Covid, and other IACCIs, as well as programs and developments at Solve M.E.
  • Donate Today: Solve M.E. relies on the generous support of patients, family members, and friends to sustain our important work. When you support us, you stand united with thousands of like-minded people who understand the devastation of these diseases.

Contact information[edit | edit source]

Solve ME/CFS Initiative
350 N Glendale Avenue Suite B #368 Glendale, CA 91206 Phone: 704-364-0016 [1]]
SolveCFS@SolveCFS.org

Online presence[edit | edit source]

Learn more[edit | edit source]

References[edit | edit source]

  1. "Same Mission | New Name - Solve ME/CFS Initiative". Solve ME/CFS Initiative. Retrieved August 16, 2018.
  2. "Solve M.E. Announces Emily Taylor as New President and CEO and Publication of New White Paper Calling for NIH to Restructure Funding for ME/CFS, Long Covid, and other IACCIs". www.prnewswire.com. Retrieved June 30, 2025.
  3. "Solve Appoints Kristin Jacobson as President and Chief Executive Officer". www.prnewswire.com. Retrieved June 30, 2025.
  4. M.E, Solve. "Solve M.E. Announces Oved Amitay as President and Chief Executive Officer". prnewswire.com. Retrieved October 15, 2020.
  5. "Solve ME/CFS Initiative Staff". Solve ME/CFS Initiative. Retrieved October 10, 2019.
  6. "Board of Directors". Solve ME/CFS Initiative. Retrieved October 15, 2020.
  7. "CFIDS Association Announces New Name – Solve ME/CFS Initiative" (PDF). solvecfs.org. Solve ME/CFS Initiative. May 30, 2014. PDF.
  8. "About Us - Solve ME/CFS Initiative". Solve ME/CFS Initiative. Retrieved August 16, 2018.
  9. "You + ME has joined the world's biggest study of ME/CFS". Solve ME/CFS Initiative. December 17, 2020. Retrieved November 14, 2021.
  10. "You + ME Registry". Solve ME/CFS Initiative. Retrieved August 16, 2018.
  11. "Solve M.E., Brain Inflammation Collaborative (BIC), ChronicleBio, Complex Disorders Alliance, and CareEvolution Launch Groundbreaking Partnership to Accelerate Research on ME/CFS, Long Covid, and IACCIs". www.prnewswire.com. Retrieved June 30, 2025.
  12. "Long Covid Alliance (LCA)". Solve ME/CFS Initiative. February 25, 2021. Retrieved November 14, 2021.
  13. "Ramsay Grant Program". Solve ME/CFS Initiative. Retrieved February 18, 2020.
  14. "Funding ME/CFS Research - Solve ME/CFS Initiative". Solve ME/CFS Initiative. Retrieved August 16, 2018.
  15. "Charity Navigator - Rating for Solve ME/CFS Initiative". Charity Navigator. Retrieved August 16, 2018.