Mount Pleasant NEDA sponsoring awareness walk
The National Eating Disorders Association is sponsoring a fundraiser walk to raise awareness toward the prevention and treatment of eating disorders.
The 2-mile walk begins at Chipp-A-Water Park Saturday and is scheduled to go from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. NEDA is looking to increase awareness about the dangers surrounding eating disorders and the need for early intervention and treatment.
While these walks are growing across the nation, South Lyon senior Shelby Martin said bringing the event to Mount Pleasant wasn't an easy task. There have only been two NEDA walks in Michigan, the other in Ann Arbor last spring.
"We needs to bring attention to the issue in Michigan, there's not a lot of resources for treatment here," Martin said. "We’re a college town and eating disorders are an epidemic on campuses across America; it's really important to try to build a community that understands."
Festivities include keynote speakers, a variety of educational booths, a raffle and a yoga therapy session.
A performance by Mount Pleasant resident and American Idol season 12 contender Shubha Vedula will begin at 11 a.m. at Chip-A-Waters Park.
Anyone who would like to help support this cause or learn more about the severity of eating disorders is welcome to attend.
Martin said they have raised around $3,000 of their $5,000 goal.
To pre-register for the walk visit www.nedawalk.org/
To volunteer at the walk please contact Martin at marti10s@cmich.edu
Founded in 2001, NEDA is the leading non-profit organization in the United States advocating and supporting the nearly 30 million individuals in America affected by eating disorders. NEDA campaigns nationally for prevention, improved access to quality treatment, and increased research and treatment funding.
