For Immediate Release
February 23, 2007
National Eating Disorders Association Urges ‘Be Comfortable In Your Genes’
20th Annual National Eating Disorders Awareness Week, Feb. 25 – March 3
Clear Channel Radio to Launch Nation’s First National Eating Disorders PSA Campaign
SEATTLE — Feb. 23, 2007 — The National Eating Disorders Association (NEDA) is sponsoring its 20th annual National Eating Disorders Awareness Week (NEDAW) in cities across the nation Feb. 25-March 3.
NEDAW is the nation’s largest eating disorders outreach effort. During NEDAW, activists across the country partner with NEDA to bring awareness to the seriousness of eating disorders and urge people to Be Comfortable In Your Genes. Wear Jeans That Fit the REAL You. The theme for NEDAW highlights the fact that body size and shape are strongly influenced by biological factors and calls attention to the new discoveries surrounding the role of genetics in the development of eating disorders.
The Clear Channel Radio/NEDA PSA campaign announced in October will now go national during NEDAW. The campaign features top Hollywood celebrities, some of whom have themselves battled an eating disorder. Recording PSAs on behalf of NEDA were entertainer and humanitarian Paula Abdul (American Idol); actress and singer Scarlett Pomers (Reba); award-winning, multi-platinum country music star Sara Evans (Dancing With the Stars), who nearly lost her best friend to an eating disorder; chart-topping, multi-platinum songstress Wynonna Judd; and Emme, model, TV host, author, lecturer and clothing designer, who has long promoted healthy body image.
The PSA campaign is intended to raise public awareness about eating disorders and how to get help if a listener believes that they, or a friend, may have a problem. Seventeen individual spots will play in rotation and additional spots may be recorded later. Clear Channel Radio is making the PSAs available to its radio stations for airing across the country. Clear Channel Radio serves local communities across the U.S. with more than 110 million listeners choosing Clear Channel Radio programming each week.
In major markets around the nation, NEDA coordinators and supporters are hosting NEDAW events, including:
- Seattle — The Seattle City Council officially proclaims Feb. 25 – March 3 National Eating Disorders Awareness Week during its Monday, Feb. 26 meeting, 2 p.m., at City Hall.
- New York City — NEDA Laugh?, a diverse lineup of top comics spreading laughter in support of NEDAW, Thursday, March 1, 8 p.m., at Stand Up NY comedy club. Comics who have appeared on Saturday Night Live, The Tonight Show, The Late Show, Comedy Central, HBO, Showtime and tour worldwide, including host Stacey Prussman. Silent Auction. Proceeds to benefit NEDA.
- Chicago — Inaugural Wedding Gala benefit, Saturday, March 3, 6:30-10:30 p.m., Civic Opera House. Giving away a “Dream Wedding” valued at more than $35,000 and a special honeymoon package. Event will bring together more than 75 wedding professionals, products and services. Hors d’oeuvres, champagne and live entertainment. Proceeds from a silent auction to benefit NEDA.
- Memphis — The 5th annual 5K Celebrate EveryBODY Fun Run/Walk, Saturday, Feb. 24, 9 a.m., at Shelby Farms Visitor Center. Benefiting NEDA and the Eating Disorders Coalition of Tennessee (EDCT), the race is a celebration of the diversity of shapes and sizes of the human “race.”
- Boston — Panel of Recovery seminar, hosted by Multi-Service Eating Disorders Association (MEDA), at Emmanuel College, Thursday, March 1, 7-9 p.m. Recovered individuals and their families will share personal stories and answer questions.
- Long Island — NEDA-Long Island sponsors annual public conference on eating disorders, Saturday, March 3, 9:30 a.m. - 1 p.m., Omni Building, Uniondale, N.Y. Experts will address “Understanding Eating Disorders,” “The Beauty Myth: Challenging the Messages About Food, Weight & Body Image,” “Not All Genes/Jeans are Made Alike” and “Recovering From an Eating Disorder: What Works.”
- St. Louis — NEDAW benefit and reception, Sunday, Feb. 25, 4-6 p.m. Topic is current research and cutting-edge treatments of eating disorders. Proceeds will benefit The Dahlia Partnership, a local, non-profit supporting awareness and treatment.
- Miami — Allison Kreiger, 2006 Miss Florida, long-time NEDA supporter and a NEDAW coordinator, will speak about her battle with an eating disorder at “Uniquely U,” a full-day, self-esteem building program sponsored by the Girl Scouts of Broward County. The event is Saturday, March 3, 10 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
For additional information about these events & to find others in your area:
www.NationalEatingDisorders.org
Commented Lynn Grefe, CEO of NEDA. “NEDA activists across the country are reaching out during NEDA’s 20th annual National Eating Disorders Awareness Week to increase public awareness of these potentially life-threatening illnesses. We want people to know that help is available and recovery is possible.”
Did you know...
- The peak onset of eating disorders occurs during puberty and the late teen/early adult years, but symptoms can occur as young as kindergarten.
- As many as 10 million females and 1 million males in the U.S. are battling eating disorders such as anorexia and bulimia, while millions more suffer from binge eating disorder.
- Eating disorders affect people from all walks of life, including young children, middle-aged women, men and individuals of all races and ethnicities.
- According to the National Institute of Mental Health, eating disorders are serious illnesses with a biological basis modified and influenced by emotional and cultural factors. They are not lifestyle choices.
- Anorexia has the highest mortality rate of any mental illness.
The National Eating Disorders Association (NEDA), headquartered in Seattle, Wash., is a not-for-profit organization advocating prevention, treatment and research funding for eating disorders; expanding public education and awareness; promoting access to quality treatment for those affected; and providing support for their loved ones. Since the inception of its Helpline in 1999, NEDA has referred more than 50,000 people to treatment and tallies more than 40 million hits annually on its Web site. For more information on eating disorders visit www.NationalEatingDisorders.org
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For treatment referrals, visit www.NationalEatingDisorders.org.
Or contact NEDA’s live Helpline: 800-931-2237
Monday - Friday: 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. (PST)
Contacts:
Greenleaf & Associates – 323-660-5800
Vicki Greenleaf – vgleaf@pacbell.net
Karen Brundage – karenbru@pacbell.net
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