OUR STORY

Welcome to the WE&ME Foundation. The WE&ME Foundation (formerly the TEMPI Foundation) was founded in 2020 by the Ströck family and is based in Vienna, Austria, where the family is known for its “Ströck” bakeries, which have been delighting customers with their baked goods for generations. The Ströck family’s journey has been profoundly shaped by the impact of ME/CFS, which has defined the nature and purpose of the WE&ME Foundation with unwavering determination. Two brothers, Christoph and Philipp Ströck, both of whom are affected by ME/CFS, lead the foundation’s mission. Christoph, the younger brother, was diagnosed in 2016 after years of illness, and his condition worsened due to misconceptions about ME/CFS. In 2018, Philipp, the older brother, was also diagnosed. The family learned firsthand that there are very few doctors who are knowledgeable about the diagnosis and treatment of ME/CFS. Over the years, the Ströck family became aware of the extent of the shortcomings in social security and support for the millions of ME/CFS patients.

The ongoing shortage of qualified professionals in this field has left patients to fend for themselves when it comes to diagnosis and the necessary support—a situation that often leads to an irreversible deterioration in their health. In many cases, they are unable to return to work, which leads to a lack of social support. The situation in which patients and their families find themselves—on top of the reality of this cruel disease—is completely unacceptable. Originally self-funded, the foundation is now working to raise funds for research and raise awareness of the disease in order to improve the situation for patients and their families. The Ströck family and the dedicated WE&ME team are committed to funding groundbreaking research that unravels the complexity of ME/CFS and brings us closer to effective treatments and a cure. We hope that our tireless commitment is reflected in every initiative we undertake to alleviate the burdens associated with ME/CFS. Join us on this journey to make a tangible difference in the lives of those affected by ME/CFS. Together, we can make progress and bring about positive change.