07 281 1481 or 0800 224 787 or Text 022 658 0251 [email protected]

Supporters of CCIS

Meet our Speakers

These are professionals who support ME/CFS at not only a worldwide level, but nationally and locally for our members too. They bring their expertise to the table to share with the team and also at times, come and speak directly with our members. Thank you for your support.
Dr Ros Vallings

MNZM, MB BS, MRCS LRCP, Dip Clin Hyp, BA, is one of the leading authorities on Chronic Fatigue Syndrome in New Zealand.

  • Run a medical practice in Auckland since 1966, and this has become specialised over the past 35 years, with most patients suffering from Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS/ME) and related conditions. 
  • A member of the International Association for CFS/ME (IACFS).
  • Reviewed the overseas guidelines for diagnosis and management of CFS/ME for the NZ Guidelines Group, with a view to providing a set of NZ guidelines.
  • Co-author of the IACFS/ME physicians’ primer, and participated in the international group producing the Canadian and International consensus definitions for CFS/ME.
  • Currently involved with an international group writing a Paediatric Primer for Physicians.

Awards

2008 Membership of the NZ Order of Merit for services to CFS/ME in the Queen’s New Year’s Honours.

2016 Nelson Gantz Outstanding Clinician Award IACFS/ME, Florida

2019 finalists for the Senior New Zealander of the Year 

Publications

2021 Chronic Fatigue Syndrome M.E. Symptoms, Diagnosis, Management

A fully revised edition of this internationally acclaimed book provides a timely review of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, the impact of COVID-19, and the latest research into treatments.
First published in 2012, now fully revised and updated.

2015 Managing ME CFS A Guide For Young People

2021 The Pocket Guide To Chronic Fatigue Syndrome/ME Key Facts And Tips For Improved Health

Dr Sarah Dalziel

​ME ChB 1994 Auckland; FRNZCGP 2007

Dr Sarah Dalziel is a General Practitioner at the Te Ngae Medical Centre, Rotorua.  With a special interest in Chronic Fatigue Syndrome.

Sarah grew up in Auckland and trained at Auckland Medical School and first moved to Rotorua as a Junior Doctor at Rotorua hospital. I have been a part time GP at Te Ngae Medical Centre since 2001. I enjoy all aspects of family health care and I have a particular interest in Women’s health care. I also work at Waiariki Polytech as a visiting Doctor. I enjoy working at Te Ngae Medical Centre as we are a friendly team, with similar philosophies of providing high quality medical care for our patients. It is a pleasure to work within the same community in which I live and play.

Emeritus Professor Warren Tate
CNZM FNZIC FRSNZ MA-PIMBN

Emeritus Professor Warren Tate is a New Zealand biochemist and Professor of Biochemistry at the University of Otago, New Zealand. Emeritus Prof Warren Tate, though officially retired, is continuing his molecular-level research into Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome at the university. His daughter Katherine was diagnosed with ME/CFS in the early 1990s.

  • He is a Fellow of the Royal Society of New Zealand and of the New Zealand Institute of Chemistry.
  • He has been a Fellow of the Alexander von Humboldt Foundation of Germany
  • He is an International Research Scholar of the Howard Hughes Medical Institute of the United States.

Awards

1992, received an International Research Scholar award from the Howard Hughes Medical Institute of the United States — one of only two New Zealanders to receive the award

2010, awarded New Zealand’s premier science and technology honour, the Rutherford Medal by the Royal Society of New Zealand, the country’s top science honour

2011, made a Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit for his services to science

2018, awarded the Marsden Medal by the New Zealand Association of Scientists

Papers

2018, A compromised paraventricular nucleus within a dysfunctional hypothalamus: A novel neuroinflammatory paradigm for ME/CFS

2019, Changes in the transcriptome of circulating immune cells of a New Zealand cohort with Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS)

2019, Current Research Provides Insight into the Biological Basis and Diagnostic Potential for Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS)

2020, A SWATH-MS analysis of Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome peripheral blood mononuclear cell proteomes reveals mitochondrial dysfunction

Justine Laidlaw - Nutritionist

I’m Justine Laidlaw, Life Coach and Holistic Cancer Coach based in the beautiful Bay of Plenty in New Zealand. I love life, make the most of opportunities and I am certainly not afraid of change. I coach to help change lives as mine was changed drastically in 2013. I run inspiring workshops as a certified “Radical Remission” Teacher from Dr Kelly’s Turners incredible research on cancer patients who have survived a terminal diagnosis. Join me as I continue to promote a healthy lifestyle, balanced nutrition, spiritual knowledge and a safe community to share ideas and positive thoughts and where I inspire others towards optimising their wellness journey of healing and living fully.

Meet our Supporters

This group believe in what we do.  They may have written content, provide funding for NZ research, belong to CCIS as members, or provide a legacy.  We are grateful for their commitment.
ANZMES
  • To promote research into the study of ME/CFS and to liaise internationally and keep abreast of current research.
  • To raise awareness of ME/CFS by educating health professionals in Medical Schools
Kira Follas

Kira Follas – Counsellor (P.G.Dip.Couns, MNZAC) ​Full Member of NZAC,- Professional Association for Counsellors in New Zealand In collaboration between Kira Follas and Tina Richards, CCI Support were involved in the creation of the Towards Wellness Programme, specifically designed for people diagnosed with these Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS/ME), Fibromyalgia (FM) and Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome (POTS). With the ever-increasing members that  CCI Support support, it became evident that creating a programme to help navigate the ME/CFS/FM/POTS journey was a necessary ‘next step’ for our community.  Kira has move on to doing her counselling role fulltime through Tauranga Counselling Services, she is however is still supportive of CCI Support providing the staff with regular Clinical Supervision.

The members of CCI Support
Without our members, we would not have a service to provide. It is an honour and a privilege to walk alongside our clients on their journey towards wellness.  We ask our members to contribute to CCIS in a small way financially, it shows their commitment to the cause and value us as an organisation.  With a membership that is pro-active and engaged in the support services we provide, we show our funders and the community that CCIS is a integral part of support for not only the members, but their whanau/families, local health professionals and the community.  
The Legacy of Nicola Evans
Nicola battled bravely with ME throughout the later years of her life and was cruelly taken by cancer at only 53 years of age. Cards of her paintings are available for sale, with all proceeds going to Complex Chronic Illness Support. This is Nicola’s legacy to us all.  You can contact us directly to order these.

Learn more about Nicola’s legacy here

Meet our Funding Partners

These are the companies, community trusts, gaming trusts and sponsors who financially contribute to the running of CCIS. They make what we do possible. Without this team behind us, we would be unable to even open the doors and we are very grateful for their support.

The trustees noted that we funded Complex Chronic Illness Support for the first time last year, and they were happy to do so again this year.

We have become increasingly aware of the number and range of organisations that are providing psychosocial support for people living with life long and/or life limiting health conditions or impairments, and it seems that the level of government funding to support this mahi; if there is any; is generally inadequate. Often people accessing these services are also facing financial challenges – perhaps because their condition affects employment opportunities – so cannot always pay for support themselves. This of course creates issues of inequity, and reducing that where we can with some funding, support is a priority for us.

 There was also some conversation at the table about the potential impact of long Covid on your workload – I suspect that by this time next year CCI will be supporting quite a few more than the current 142 clients you currently work with in the Waikato region.

Raewyn Kirkman

Chief Executive , D V Bryant Trust

Meet our Sponsors

These companies support us with either financial contributions, products or discounts.  Thank you!!

Meet the businesses that directly support our members

These companies support our members with products or discounts.  We are grateful.

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