Join Fairwinds Sunday February 24th for the 3th Annual celebrating everyBODY Walk for Eating Disorders Awareness
Feb. 25 to March 3 is National Eating Disorder Awareness Week, an annual observance that helps bring to light struggles and elevates recovery outreach. It’s an important time of year, and a number of awareness efforts and events take place across the country, as well as the world.
On the Sunday before, Feb. 24th, Fairwinds Treatment Center will take part in the third annual “celebrating everyBODY” Alliance for Eating Disorders Awareness walk. Held at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, the walk - and its counterpart held in South Florida - is organized to raise awareness for eating disorders, as well as donations to help provide treatment services.
The National Eating Disorders Association puts on a regular calendar of walks, which are a popular way to help spur community involvement, connect with at-risk individuals and share education materials. Here’s more about what’s happening at the celebrating everyBODY walk in Tampa.
“Fairwinds is a proud sponsor of the third annual alliance walk in Tampa and hopes to see you there.”
When and where?
The third annual “celebrating everyBODY walk for eating disorders awareness” in Tampa, will take place Sunday, Feb. 24, 2019. The event will begin at 9:00 a.m. at Raymond James Stadium located at: 4201 N Dale Mabry Hwy, Tampa, FL 33607. Partnering sponsors include the Alliance for Eating Disorders Awareness, iadep Tampa Bay and Fairwinds.
Registration is open for individuals and teams, who can fundraise in advance by letting people know why they’re walking, whether in support of a loved one or as a step in treatment to battle an eating disorder.
The theme to 2019’s walk is “Not One More,” drafted to emphasize the urgency needed in raising awareness and providing treatment services.
“You can’t do it alone,” Amanda Zephrin, who struggled with a disorder, told WTSP during the alliance walk in 2018. “We can’t overcome eating disorders alone. I used to think it was a me situation so I had to get myself out of it.”
What’s happening?
More than 425 people attended 2018’s walk, raising awareness of eating disorders, as well as funds for the community. Besides the walk itself, participants can enjoy live performances and refreshments.
The guest speaker this year will be former MLB catcher Mike Marjama. Pressure to cut weight as a wrestler led to an eating disorder and Marjama missing his junior year baseball season after being admitted for inpatient treatment. Now, Marjama speaks to adults, adolescents, and families about the ending stigma of eating disorders and the need to spread awareness.
What can you do?
Both individuals and teams are encouraged to register for the everyBODY walk, which can be done at the event’s website, where participants can also create fundraising profile pages to tell their personal story or support family, friends, neighbors and other allies. Those who can’t attend the event but want to contribute can donate and help the community better provide direct treatment services.
Fairwinds is a proud sponsor of the third annual walk in Tampa and hopes to see you there. For more information about our services, our team and our mission, contact us today.