From what I could tell from the thread on PR - they've gotten 9,000 of the 12,000 needed. They're very close....
--Link here to plain-format version of the text below (in case the underlining, italics, or all-capitals make it hard for you to read).
(Read the entire project); (Original in Spanish) --Please excuse the grammar mistakes in the translation. A better one will be uploaded soon--
SUMMARY:
1- IrsiCaixa, an internationally-recognized institute for AIDS research, published in 2013 a study in which they found alterations in subsets of both T and NK cells. Specifically they identified eight molecules associated to poor immune system function, that could be used for diagnosis (source).
--For further information, read the article: "Spanish HIV Experts Give Aid to ME/CFS" (by Joel (Snowathlete on PR), April 20013)
2- They expanded this preliminary study, with the project called "Comparison of biomarkers in EM/SFC", for which a crowdfunding of 29.000 € was launched and achieved last year. (Link to the thread)
The preliminary results obtained from this second comparative study (from 193 participants and 20 healthy controls), showed specific immunological abnormalities in EM/CFS patients, and identified two subgroups of patients, according to different combinations of NKCD57 and NK NKP46 cells. These subsets could be explained by reactivation of herpes viruses (page 4), according to the authors. They also found other interesting abnormalities worth studying further.
3- NEXT STEP: To get this published! HOW? The researcher team wants to A) Double blind the study, B) Increase the number of the sample (1 healthy control per each 2 patients), C) Use the more accurate Canadian Consensus Criteria for diagnosis and D) Add new markers to be measured in the study, such as the % ofPerforin in NK and CD8 T cells ,and a much more in depth study of the B lymphocytes family, among others.
HOW MUCH DO THEY NEED?: Just 12.000 €! ($13,000 or £8,700) (broken down in the official brochure of the project).
WHO HAS MADE THIS PROJECT POSSIBLE?: The patients, who else!: Both the own patients (who paid for their own tests to make possible the project "Comparison of biomarkers in EM/SFC"), and ASSSEM (A National Spanish non-profit NGO, composed mainly by health professionals, dedicated to ME/CFS, FM and MQS)-- ASSSEM was and is the promoter of the previous and the current campaign-- they are the ones who got IrsiCaixa interested in us, and involved in this promising project, in the first place!
HOW TO COLLABORATE?
1. SHARE on social network, POST on other on-line ME/CFS platforms, PUBLISH the campaign on you blog, etc, etc. HELP TO SPREAD THE WORD!!!!
2. DONATE:
(Examples of currency conversions: $5=€4.6; $10=€9.2; $50 = €46.1, $100 =€92.2)
--as of 3-7-2015
2.1- PAYPAL or Credit card:
Go to the website of ASSSEM, and click the yellow "Donar" button on the right, which appears about half way down the page when it first loads
2.2 -Wire transference:
IBAN: ES0901828732100201553888
SWIFT/BIC: BBVAESMMXXX
Bank: BBVA;
Beneficiary: ASSSEM,
Concept: “Objetivo 12.000”
CAMPAING DEADLINE: March the 27th, 2015
More information on: www.asssem.org
- PERSONAL INPUT: As some of you know, I am an ME/CFS Spanish patient, administrator and owner of the national Spanish ME/CFS research forum, and also a 3rd year medical student. I have no relationship with ASSSEM or IrsiCaixa, other than individual supporter as a patient. I do believe WE ALL, the ME/CFS community, deserve that the data this team has found, sees the light. We got the attention of one of the most internationally known and recognized research team on AIDS, and they did perform a preliminary study which shed very useful results, that could be used as possible biomarkers, might as well open the field to further exploration of the immune aberrations in ME/CFS, and perhaps, lead to new therapies.
If these preliminary results are confirmed in the new study they are willing to carry out, we will have a PUBLISHED DOUBLE BLIND CROSS-SECTIONAL STUDY, with a BIG SAMPLE, probably in an important international journal.
AND WE ARE JUST LESS THAN 9.000 € AWAY at this moment from making this real! So...
HELP in anyway you can!
