We are honored to share Tina’s story with you today — a story of loss, perseverance, and the kind of quiet hope that keeps so many in this community going.
“I lived a very full and active life—until ME/CFS entered it. Before becoming ill, I played tennis, backpacked throughout the Grand Canyon, ran long-distance mountain races, and enjoyed a busy life with my husband and our four children. When ME/CFS hit, all of that came to a sudden stop.
I developed overwhelming fatigue, brain fog, painful burning and crawling nerve sensations, and a constant feeling of being unwell. I saw many doctors, including specialists at the Mayo Clinic, but no one could tell me what was wrong. For a long time, I felt lost and without answers—an experience so many in this community know all too well.
After more than 20 years of living with this illness, I’m grateful to say that I can now function at a higher level than I once could. I still live with daily symptoms, but recently I was able to hike again—something I never would have expected. I share this to offer gentle hope that change is possible, even when it comes slowly and in ways that are unique to each person.
I chose to become a Hope Builder for Open Medicine Foundation (OMF) because I trust their science, their leadership, and their unwavering commitment to ending ME/CFS. This disease takes so much from so many, and OMF is working every day to change that reality. Monthly giving allows this critical research to continue steadily and sustainably—and it is one meaningful way we can help, even on the hardest days.
My heart is with everyone living with ME/CFS. I hold hope that answers and effective treatments are coming—and I am profoundly thankful to OMF and to every supporter helping move this work forward.”
With hope,
~ Tina Caskey, age 67, Hope Builder
We are honored to share Tina’s story with you today — a story of loss, perseverance, and the kind of quiet hope that keeps so many in this community going.
“I lived a very full and active life—until ME/CFS entered it. Before becoming ill, I played tennis, backpacked throughout the Grand Canyon, ran long-distance mountain races, and enjoyed a busy life with my husband and our four children. When ME/CFS hit, all of that came to a sudden stop.
I developed overwhelming fatigue, brain fog, painful burning and crawling nerve sensations, and a constant feeling of being unwell. I saw many doctors, including specialists at the Mayo Clinic, but no one could tell me what was wrong. For a long time, I felt lost and without answers—an experience so many in this community know all too well.
After more than 20 years of living with this illness, I’m grateful to say that I can now function at a higher level than I once could. I still live with daily symptoms, but recently I was able to hike again—something I never would have expected. I share this to offer gentle hope that change is possible, even when it comes slowly and in ways that are unique to each person.
I chose to become a Hope Builder for Open Medicine Foundation (OMF) because I trust their science, their leadership, and their unwavering commitment to ending ME/CFS. This disease takes so much from so many, and OMF is working every day to change that reality. Monthly giving allows this critical research to continue steadily and sustainably—and it is one meaningful way we can help, even on the hardest days.
My heart is with everyone living with ME/CFS. I hold hope that answers and effective treatments are coming—and I am profoundly thankful to OMF and to every supporter helping move this work forward.”
With hope,
~ Tina Caskey, age 67, Hope Builder
Tina is one of the Hope Builders — monthly donors whose collective support helps keep OMF’s research moving forward. This March, we’re welcoming 30 new Hope Builders. Will you join us?
No contribution is too small. Every monthly gift — at any level — helps ensure this work never stops.
Donate your appreciated stock directly to OMF and you can receive an immediate income-tax deduction for the fair market value of the securities on the date of transfer (even if you originally paid much less for them).