Join Keanu Reeves in supporting World Eating Disorders Action Day_June 2

Join Keanu Reeves in supporting World Eating Disorders Action Day_June 2

Keanu Reeves and other stars in To the Bone support World Eating Disorders Action Day. See their powerful message.

Reeves, and other actors in the upcoming feature film based on one survivor’s true story are joining more than 200 organizations around the globe to unite for the cause on June 2, 2016.

This inaugural grassroots campaign is shining a spotlight on the 70 million people
affected by eating disorders worldwide.

The To The Bone stars join organizations and activists representing 30 countries in uniting for the inaugural World Eating Disorders Action Day on June 2, to increase awareness, eradicate myths and collectively advocate for resources and policy change.

In support of this historic event, writer/director Marti Noxon (Glee, Mad Men, Buffy the Vampire Slayer) and the stars of To the Bone – based on Noxon’s struggle with anorexia as a girl and her unconventional road to recovery – have created this message to draw attention to these life-threatening, yet treatable illnesses.

In this message, Noxon and the film’s stars and crew members reveal the Nine Truths About Eating Disorders in an effort to debunk common myths about eating disorders. On camera are stars Keanu Reeves (John Wick, The Matrix, The Devil’s Advocate, Speed), Lily Collins (Love, Rosie; Mirror Mirror; The Blind Side), Carrie Preston (Showtime’s Happyish, The Good Wife, HBO’s True Blood), Kathryn Prescott (Finding Carter, Skins), Retta (NBC’s Parks and Recreation, Fracture, Slackers) and Ciara Bravo (Nickelodeon’s Jinxed and Big Time Rush), among others.

The goals of this global, first-ever campaign are to:

• advance understanding of eating disorders as treatable, genetically-linked illnesses;
• embrace diversity;
• raise awareness among policy makers to allocate resources and establish coherent national systems; and
• advocate for change at an international level.

Comments/quotes

The movement for this historic event was begun just a few months ago by parents and affected people and is now resonating around the world. The first-ever World Eating Disorders Action Day sends a powerful message to policymakers across the globe on the need for action; underscores the fact that eating disorders don’t discriminate; and provides a message of hope for successful intervention.

– Amy Cunningham, Chair of World Eating Disorders Action Day 2016 Steering Committee

Eating Disorders affect us all, and now it is important to be inclusive in the treatment and resources available so we can all get the help we need.

– Stephanie Covington Armstrong, Steering Committee

Eating disorders, by their very nature, are isolating illnesses. I know. I was held prisoner for more than 40 years.  I know the importance of reaching out, sharing, giving people a Voice. I want everyone, everywhere, with eating disorder symptoms to know they are not alone, and to have access to the right care so they, like me, can recover. This is why I support the inaugural World Eating Disorders Action Day. 

– June Alexander, Steering Committee

The Nine Truths About Eating Disorders

Eating disorders are potentially life-threatening illnesses with the highest mortality rate of any mental disorder and affect approximately 70 million people globally of all ages, sizes, weights, abilities, races/ethnicities, nationalities, sexual orientations, genders, and documentation, and socioeconomic statuses. Because stigma and misinformation too often prevent the sufferer from seeking help, leading eating disorder professionals and organizations have come together to create the Nine Truths About Eating Disorders*. These truths are:

1. Many people with eating disorders look healthy, yet may be extremely ill.

2. Families are not to blame and can be the patients’ and providers’ best allies in treatment.

3. An eating disorder diagnosis is a health crisis that disrupts personal and family functioning.

4. Eating disorders are not choices, but serious biologically influenced illnesses.

5. Eating disorders affect people of all genders, ages, races, ethnicities, body shapes and weights, sexual orientations and socio-economic statuses.

6. Eating disorders carry an increased risk for both suicide and medical complications.

7. Genes and environment play important roles in the development of eating disorders.

8. Genes alone do not predict who will develop eating disorders.

9. Full recovery from an eating disorder is possible. Early detection and intervention are important.

World Eating Disorders Action Day unites eating disorder activists, professionals, parents and those personally affected to promote worldwide knowledge of eating disorders and the need for comprehensive treatment. A steering committee comprised of many of the leading voices in the field of eating disorders treatment will provide guidance and represent more than 200 organizations in 40 countries across the globe. The Steering Committee is comprised of leaders from Academy for Eating Disorders, Beating Eating Disorders, BingeBehavior.com, Elephant in the Room Foundation, Families Empowered and Supporting Treatment of Eating Disorders/F.E.A.S.T, International Eating Disorders Action, Nalgona Positivity Pride, National Association of Males with Eating Disorders, National Eating Disorders Association, Not All Black Girls Know How to Eat and Trans Folx Fighting Eating Disorders. See the full list of members here: http://worldeatingdisordersday.org/steering-committee/

For more information

Visit: www.WorldEatingDisordersDay.org

To share the PSA: https://youtu.be/YrgrIts5WV8 (private until May 31)

Facebook: www.Facebook.com/WorldEatingDisordersDay

Twitter: www.Twitter.com/WorldEDDay

Join the conversation: #WeDoAct #WorldEatingDisordersDay

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Press Contacts:  

World Eating Disorders Action Day

Amy Cunningham amy.in.dar@gmail.com and WorldEatingDisorderDay@gmail.com

*Nine Truths About Eating Disorders Reference:

Produced in collaboration with Dr. Cynthia Bulik, Ph.D., F.A.E.D., who serves as distinguished professor of eating disorders in the School of Medicine at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, “Nine Truths” is based on Dr. Bulik’s 2014 “9 Eating Disorders Myths Busted” talk at the National Institute of Mental Health. Leading associations in the field of eating disorders also contributed their valuable input.