Kiel, August 1, 2018. Schleswig-Holstein's Minister-President Daniel Günther presented Bettina Frank with the Order of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany, First Class, awarded Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier, guests. In his laudatory speech, Minister-President Günther praised Ms. Frank's outstanding social and civic contributions.

Since the late 1990s, Bettina Frank has been organizing and moderating the nationwide headache forum Headbook, run by the Kiel Pain Clinic, on a voluntary basis. Headbook has become the largest self-help group for migraines and headaches in Europe. She is particularly committed to improving the diagnosis and treatment of migraine and headache disorders. Many years ago, she recognized the potential of digital media for self-help, further developed it, and used it for targeted information and education. She pioneered this new form of self-help in Germany and is now also active internationally. The social networks she created are visited by more than 30,000 people daily. Despite suffering from migraines herself, Bettina Frank is on call around the clock and, through Headbook and the migraine community on Facebook, has also initiated self-help groups where nearly 13,000 people exchange information daily.

Her central aim is to bring together sufferers, doctors, therapists, and national and international pain centers. She strives to sustainably improve healthcare and make new knowledge, treatment concepts, and research findings in the field of migraine and headache disorders readily available. She has dedicated her life to providing active support through self-help, offering guidance, and facilitating effective treatment and aftercare. In doing so, Bettina Frank significantly reduces the suffering, pain, and, in particular, the social isolation of many sufferers.

She is a sufferer herself, having experienced complex chronic migraines since childhood, a condition that continues to define her life. Based on her own experiences, Bettina Frank recognized early on the difficulties and shortcomings in the care of neurological pain disorders, particularly migraines and headaches. With her outstanding dedication, she sets an impressive example of how, despite severe disabilities and limitations caused by her own illness, it is possible to provide lasting help to others. Bettina Frank maintains a strong public presence and is available day and night. She is always reachable for those seeking help, whether on vacation, weekends, or in the middle of the night. She offers comfort, provides helpful advice via app, email, telephone, or in person, and acts as a beacon of light in dark times for those affected.

With the social network "Headbook," she has been tirelessly raising awareness since 2009, informing those affected and strengthening their self-reliance. Based on her knowledge and wealth of experience, Bettina Frank provides guidance on effective treatment paths and ongoing emotional support. She not only maintains contact with leading national and international pain centers but also dedicates considerable energy to aftercare and facilitating exchanges for those affected, addressing their everyday problems and concerns. Furthermore, she answers questions, facilitates connections, and moderates networking among those affected.

Her commitment sets an outstanding example of how digital media can be used proactively, regardless of location, to improve healthcare. Patients no longer feel helpless, but can take an active role in their care using a migraine app. In doing so, they also provide important information for treating physicians, who can build upon this information and respond specifically to the patient's problems.

Bettina Frank's commitment has a cross-border impact. She has established contacts in Austria and Switzerland and has since developed a global network for self-help activities, something unimaginable a decade ago. To this day, she organizes nationwide meetings for patients, lectures with scientific contributions, and symposia, and she arranges for national and international speakers. She works tirelessly as a volunteer editor for self-help literature, information brochures, and online portals to promote self-help work in a sustainable way.

The Order of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany (Federal Cross of Merit) is awarded to German and foreign women and men for political, economic, social, and intellectual achievements, as well as for all special services to the Federal Republic of Germany, including services in the social, charitable, and humanitarian fields. These are services that are generally rendered over a long period with considerable dedication and at the expense of personal interests.

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