Eating Disorder Awareness Week: A Success!

Hopewell's Eating Disorder Awareness Week a Success!

Held annually, Eating Disorders Awareness Week (EDAW) is Canada's largest eating disorders outreach effort. During EDAW health care providers, educators, social workers, family members, students and eating disorder professionals work to teach people of all ages about the importance of promoting positive body image as well as raise awareness about the dangers of eating disorders and the need for early intervention and treatment by distributing educational materials and organizing events in their communities.  

EDAW kicked off on Friday January 30th, when Starbucks Ottawa-area stores hosted their own "Be Comfortable in Your Genes" day. Employees were asked to wear jeans to work, and encouraged to donate $5 to Hopewell. Signs were put up about the day, and customers that inquired about the fundraiser were also invited to donate. Thanks to Starbucks $1700 was raised for Hopewell's Eating Disorder Awareness Week initiatives! 

On Sunday February 1st a yoga fundraiser was held at Lululemon. Thanks to the Lululemon Westboro store and volunteer instructor from Rama Lotus for highlighting the benefits of yoga for stress, anxiety and mental illness.

On Monday February 2nd, A-Channel began a morning series on Eating Disorder Awareness Week. Check out Lianne Liang's blog for highlights: www.morning.atv.ca/ottawa/todaysTheDay.php

On Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday, Hopewell ran Jeans Giveaway Days at the University of Ottawa, Carleton University and Algonquin College. The goal of jeans giveaway days are for individuals to become comfortable in their bodies by donating or swapping jeans that no longer fit.  Too often individuals struggle against their natural, genetically influenced size just to fit into that pair of “skinny jeans” in the back of their closets. Fighting your natural size and shape can lead to unhealthy dieting practices, poor body image and sometimes eating disorders.

We had dozens of jeans donated, and many more students stopping to chat about Hopewell and Eating Disorder Awareness Week. Thanks to all the wonderful volunteers who came out to assist with the Jeans Giveaways.