Originally started in 1987 by professionals in the eating disorders field, NEDA's (National Eating Disorders Association) NEDAwareness Week has grown to become the largest eating disorders outreach effort in the country, taking place each February during the last week of the month. 2009's official Awareness Week is set to take place
February 22-28,and ED advocates from all over are gearing up to do their part. Many large scale events are scheduled in major cities across the country, but this is also a great opportunity for you to organize your own Awareness Week event. You can register online via the NEDA website, and in doing so, gain access to wonderful resources pertinent to this year's theme and the overall mission of the week. And of course,the battle against eating disorders continues every minute of every day, so whatever you can do to help --educate,prevent,work for better treatment alternatives and accessibility,etc--whenever you can do it, is every bit as important as anything accomplished during this special week.
As far as those larger events go, I've listed a few of them below and will continue to post information about these events as more details become available. If you have any events scheduled in your area that you would like me to post, please shoot me an email and I'll do what I can to spread the word. And if you would like to be involved but aren't aware of any events in your area, click the link below to find NEDA events near you.
http://www.nationaleatingdisorders.org/p.asp?WebPage_ID=550
2009 Eating Disorders Awareness Week Events
New York City
Thursday, February 26,2009 7:00pm "Turning the Lens on Eating Disorders"
Pace University, Lecture Hall West, 1 Pace Plaza 2nd Floor, NYC
From the press release:
"Mix,mingle,and join NEDA at the movies as we screen two films that explore the impact of eating disorders, followed by a Panel Discussion led by Eating Disorder expert, Sondra Kronberg MS,RD,CDN and featuring Arol Jahns and Stephanie Schweitzer, writer/producers of ' Swept'
and Carla Precht, co-producer/co-director of 'Beauty Mark'
."
I will be there helping out and supporting my friend, Stephanie, and would love to have you join us. There is a suggested donation of $20,with all donations to benefit NEDA. I'll be emailing the official invite to many of you soon, but if I don't have your email and you'd like to attend, you can RSVP (by February 25th) to:
nyfilm@myneda.org
Hope to see you there!
Washington DC
Wednesday, February 25,2009 10:00am
Press Conference introducing the FREED Act
the house side of the Capitol Building, Room HC-8
Join Congressman Patrick Kennedy, as he introduces the Federal Response to Eliminate Eating Disorders (FREED) Act. Visit the
Eating Disorders Coalition for Research,Policy,and Action website for details and registration.
http://www.eatingdisorderscoalition.org
Seattle, WA
Saturday, February 21st,2009 Seattle NEDA Walk
Check-in registration: 10:30 am
Walk: 11:00 am - 1:00 pm
Seattle Downtown YMCA 909 4th Ave. Seattle,WA
Thursday, February 26th,2009 NEDA Silent Art Auction
6:00-9:00 pm See Sound Lounge 115 Blanchard St. Seattle,WA
For more info on both events,click the link below:
http://www.nationaleatingdisorders.org/programs-events/nedawareness-week-auction.php
I hope that each of you will be able to find some way to participate, even if it's simply offering support to someone who might be suffering. Please stay tuned for updates regarding Awareness week...as well as some exciting new posts about beauty coming very soon!
