For Immediate Release
November 20, 2006
National Eating Disorders Association Hosts "Connect for the Cause" Awards Benefit
Paula Zahn & Clear Channel Radio to be Honored American Idol’s Katharine McPhee Performing
NEW YORK CITY — Nov. 20, 2006 — The National Eating Disorders Association (NEDA) will hold its annual leadership benefit, themed “Connect for the Cause,” Wednesday, Nov. 29, at the Essex House in New York City. The reception begins at 6:30 p.m. and dinner at 7:30 p.m.
This year’s benefit will honor CNN’s Paula Zahn and Clear Channel Radio for their commitment to philanthropy and their responsible and praiseworthy efforts to raise public awareness of eating disorders. Accepting the award on behalf of Clear Channel is Joel Delmonico, vice president and market manager for Clear Channel Radio, Syracuse.
Also being honored are Douglas Bunnell, Ph.D., clinical director of the Renfrew Center of Connecticut, past NEDA board chair and current board treasurer, for “Excellence in Treatment”; and Nell Lanman, a college student, who will receive the Young Advocate award for her work in raising awareness of eating disorders among students and educators.
American Idol’s Katharine McPhee, who recently publicly revealed her own struggle with an eating disorder, will perform and speak about her experience. Diana Williams, WABC-TV news anchor and a NEDA board member will emcee. Co-chairs of the event are Williams, Deborah Belfatto, Phoebe & Edmund Megna and Dorothy & John Sprague.
Zahn has frequently covered the subject of eating disorders on her CNN news program, Paula Zahn NOW. In October, Clear Channel Radio, in partnership with NEDA, announced a high-profile, national PSA campaign about eating disorders. Seventeen individual spots will play in rotation into mid 2007 and additional spots may be recorded later. Clear Channel Radio, with more than 110 million listeners, is making the PSAs available to its radio stations for airing across the country.
Recording PSAs for Clear Channel on behalf of NEDA were Paula Abdul (American Idol); Scarlett Pomers (Reba); country music star Sara Evans (Dancing With the Stars); multi-platinum songstress Wynonna Judd; and Emme, model, TV host, author, lecturer and plus-sized clothing designer
Commented Lynn Grefe, CEO of NEDA, “It is NEDA’s privilege to honor Paula Zahn for her responsible, comprehensive and compassionate coverage of eating disorders. She is a true role model to both women and journalists of both genders. It is also our privilege to have an opportunity to publicly express our gratitude to Clear Channel Radio. The company’s record of public service is exemplary and heart-felt. I want to specifically thank Joel Delmonico who helped conceptualize and spearhead this PSA campaign, working tirelessly to make it happen.”
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.
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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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