On October 4th, 2015, the National Eating Disorders Association (NEDA), held their 7th annual New York, NY NEDA walk, at Foley Square from 10am to 12:30pm. The NEDA walk mission is "to raise awareness about the dangers surrounding eating disorders and the need for early intervention and treatment by participating in a NEDA Walk." With a goal of fundraising $150,000, NEDA has currently raised $128,325.30. Donations will be put towards things such as critical programs and services like the National Toll-Free Helpline (800-931-2237), National Eating Disorders Awareness Week, an annual conference for families and professionals, as well as Toolkits for parents and educators. Each participating walker is encouraged to set a fundraising goal and have their friends and family sponsor them to help NEDA achieve their ultimate goal.
The walk was sponsored by Aerie, who has recently redesigned their brand and mission to help support body positivity within young girls with a no photoshop ad campaign. Aerie model, Iskra Lawrence, was the emcee of the event. "While we were hanging around I got to meet the Aerie model that was there, Iskra Lawrence, who is probably the kindest and most beautiful person I've ever seen in my life, she was just completely wonderful," said one NEDA walk participant, Ana Friedman. When asked if she would participate again, Friedman responded with "Oh god yeah, I'd love to." Ana Friedman also surpassed her fundraising goal of $100.00 and was able to reach $150.00. She plans on raising even more money next year.
The featured guest speaker of the walk, as if Iskra wasn't enough, was Jenn Friedman, who shared her own struggles through music and metaphors. Her book Eating Disorders on the Wire: Music and Metaphor as Pathways to Recovery, discusses her battle through metaphor and each chapter has a corresponding song on her album "On the Wire." Jenn has performed at a number of NEDA events, such as the Philadelphia NEDA walk, various treatment centers, and colleges, as well as delivering a keynote speech at the Delaware Valley, just to name a few.
Since 2009, when the first NEDA walk took place, there have been over 65 walks across the nation that take place each year, and they have raised over $3 million dollars.
Donations to the NEDA Walk can be made here.
If you or someone you know is suffering from an eating disorder, contact NEDA at their helpline (800)931-2237. The helpline operates 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Eastern Time, Monday through Thursday and 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday.