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Last week, my family and I participated in the NEDA walk- Kansas City.  This is the first time we were able to walk due to our summer schedule, but not the first time we’ve donated.

A few years ago, a beloved and wonderful young woman lost her life to an eating disorder.  Her name – Emily (Em).  At the time, there were limited places that were offering significant treatment in the Kansas City area.  So, her family looked outside of our area.  Two of the best ones around 4 years ago were:

Timberline in Lemont, Illinois

Remuda Ranch in Wickenburg, Arizona

Now, there are numerous clinics and facilities all over the country, and Kansas City now has numerous options for those struggling with an eating disorder.  Much is to be learned about eating disorders, and so what follows is a bit of information to better inform.

Eating Disorders are often referred to as “ED”

What is NEDA?

NEDA is the National Eating Disorder Association.

“NEDA was formed in 2001, when Eating Disorders Awareness & Prevention (EDAP) joined forces with the American Anorexia Bulimia Association (AABA) – merging the largest and longest standing eating disorders prevention and advocacy organizations in the world. The merger was the most recent in a series of alliances that has also included the National Eating Disorder Organization (NEDO) and the Anorexia Nervosa & Related Disorders (ANRED).”

Why is the there a walk?

Money needs to be raised for the diagnosis, treatment and cure for of all aspects of ED.  NEDA raises around $4,000,000 a year.  Compared to numerous other illnesses and diseases, this is a rather small sum.  There are a few other groups out there raising money as well, but little research or study is actually being done to better understand ED.  The Federal Government provides around $30 million as well.  More needs to be done.

Around 300 people gathered this year at Berkley Riverfront Park.  There were many supporters there, in prayer and helping make the walk possible.  Here is the link to the walk site.  We raised $30,000!  As we walked, numerous signs shared the staggering and sad statistics.

Eating Disorders by the Numbers

Millions of people suffer from ED (possibly over 30 million)

ED Is Not Choice, It’s an Illness

10 Million Men Suffer from ED

ED is way underfunded.

Since “Anna’s” Law was introduced in May of this year, 384 people have died from ED.

Anorexia kills 12x more girls age 15-24 than ALL other causes of death combined!

A Bill Becomes Law

In no small effort from the friends and families of those affected by ED, Governor Jay Nixon and the Missouri State Legislature passed a bill to help those struggling with ED.  Essentially, the bill forces insurance companies to cover all aspects of ED.

Read about it HERE

 How Can We Help?

Pray! Pray! Pray!  Pray for those suffering with an ED.  Pray for the family and friends of those suffering.  Remember, we are not alone if we stand together.

Donate!  Give money to help those with an ED.

Pay Attention!  ED’s are not always diagnosed.  Why?  When your arm is broken, you go to the doctor and they “fix” it.  But when you have a mental disorder, some believe you can just fix it by willing yourself to change.  That is not a helpful approach.  The stigma needs to end.

“According to a number of experts, as well a study published in the American Journal of Psychiatry, eating disorders might be the most deadly of all mental illnesses, with an estimated 10% to 20% of individuals diagnosed with anorexia nervosa dying prematurely as a direct result of the disorder or its complications.” National Post 2/5/15

ED’s are deadly.  The more we can talk about it, the more lives can be saved.  We need to share information, treatment options and do everything we can to help those who suffer.

Go in peace and go with God.