One year ago, we founded Empty Stands. It all started with a small chat between a few members with the vision of hanging up posters in stadiums. We could never have imagined what it would become within just one year.
At the same time, we want to take this opportunity to say thank you!
To the ME/CFS Research Foundation for the initial cooperation on matchday campaigns, to the clubs for the joint initiatives, and to the fan scenes and groups that have supported us. Thanks to all of you, we’ve already been able to reach many people and raise awareness about ME/CFS. Awareness Matchdays in Meppen, Bremen, Kaiserslautern, Babelsberg, Karlsruhe, and Osnabrück, as well as banners from numerous other fan scenes on the topic of ME/CFS (St. Pauli, Wolfsburg, Darmstadt, First Vienna, Wiener SC, RW Essen, and many more) mean a lot to us.
During the summer break, we also founded the Donation League. You can still sign up here. Besides, we’re currently producing a solidarity shirt. The earnings from both projects will be donated to the biomedical research of ME/CFS. Therefore, a big thank you to everyone who supports our projects. Every donation makes a difference!
But we also want to thank everyone who lent us an open ear. Whether journalists, friends and family, or fans at our campaigns. Just as we appreciate the support from the community and the work of our members. We’re also always grateful for the support from non-affected individuals who, with their contributions and/or contacts, provide important backing for our initiative. Every share, every mention, every conversation moves us forward.
At the same time, the situation for people affected by ME/CFS is unfortunately still very precarious. The awareness we’ve created for ME/CFS and the research funding we’ve generated are a success, but we need substantially more of both so that life no longer passes us by, but we can actively participate again. Therefore, we hope that many more clubs and fan groups will stand in solidarity with us to advocate for better care structures and biomedical research, and thereby raise their voices for over 650,000 affected people in Germany.
If you have contacts or information about clubs, fan scenes, media, or supporters, please get in touch with us.
Further campaigns and projects are already in the planning stages. We would be delighted if you continue to support us on our journey.
