Eating disorders have the highest mortality rate of all mental illnesses, yet only one in 10 people suffering from an eating disorder seeks treatment.
Chelsea Kronengold is trying to change that.
“Almost everybody knows someone that has an eating disorder, but no one really wants to talk about it,” Kronengold said.
Kronengold organized Gainesville’s first annual National Eating Disorder Association walk in an effort to spread awareness and fundraise for eating disorder research.
On Sunday, April 7, Kronengold and local NEDA volunteers will kick-off the event.
The 3K walk will begin at 11 a.m. at the O’Connell center. Check-in is at 10:30 a.m., and the event will last until about 1 p.m.
Aside from the walk itself, Kronengold said the event will feature two guest speakers: Dagny Knutson and Allison Kreiger Walsh.
Knutson, a former competitive swimmer, gave up her Olympic swimming bid to seek treatment for her bulimia. She’s now finishing her college education and planning to coach a swim team in her home state of North Dakota.
Kreiger Walsh struggled with anorexia and bulimia throughout high school before she finally sought treatment her senior year. In 2001, she formed the non-profit H.O.P.E. (Help Other People Eat) and was voted Miss Florida in 2006.
A $25 registration fee is required, which goes directly to NEDA to raise money and support for the cause.
Kronengold’s fundraising goal for the event is $15,000.
Those interested can register here: http://neda.nationaleatingdiso…
Source: http://www.state.sc.us/dmh/ano…