PHILADELPHIA - Oct. 30, 2006 -A Chance to Heal Foundation (ACTH), a non-profit organization that raises funds to support treatment, promote understanding and advocate for people with eating disorders, will present, "Reclaim The True Beauty Within," on Wednesday, Nov. 8, 7 p.m. at the Moore College of Art +Design, 20th Street & Benjamin Franklin Parkway, Philadelphia. Nationally known supermodel Emme will address more than 300 attendees on issues surrounding body image and the proliferation of eating disorders. A best-selling author, clothing designer and host of E! Entertainment Television's "Fashion Emergency," Emme is an advocate for women and men of all ages to be fit and healthy. Her goal is to increase awareness and raise funds to help treat individuals battling body image and eating disorders.
A donor wine reception with Emme will kick off the event at 5:45 p.m. and an 8 p.m. auction will raise funds following her talk. ACTH will honor Kathy and Alan Benn of Stroudsburg, Pa., co-founders of the Shelby Project whose daughter, Shelby Starner, died from bulimia in June 2003. The project strives to promote early diagnosis, raise awareness about the serious life-altering effects of eating disorders, and keep the issue of funding for specialized care in the forefront of the media, health care providers, insurance companies and legislators. Also in attendance will be Martha Pitcairn, mother of ACTH Junior Advisor Group member, Alexis Pitcairn of Bryn Athyn, Pa. She will be accepting a special citation award that Alexis, currently studying in Spain, will present to Madrid's regional government for banning underweight models who have a BMI of less than 18% from the fashion runway during Madrid's Fashion Week.
On Thursday, Nov. 9 at 8:30 a.m., Emme will head to Norristown Area High School, 1900 Eagle Drive, Norristown, Pa., to address nearly 750 students at an assembly about body image and eating disorders issues. A question and answer session will conclude the event.
"We are thrilled to have Emme help us raise awareness and educate individuals about the severity of eating disorders and their adverse impact on young women and men" said Ivy Silver, co-founder of ACTH. "As many as 10 million females and one million males in the U.S. suffer from an eating disorder, including anorexia, bulimia or binge eating, which can lead to long-term physical damage, and even death. For those seeking treatment, their financial resources are frequently exhausted long before they recover."
For more information about these events and for tickets to "Reclaim The True Beauty Within," please call 215-885-2420 or visit www.achancetoheal.org.
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A Chance to Heal Foundation's mission is to reduce the long-term impact of eating disorders by promoting early diagnosis through awareness, education and health advocacy. ACTH provides financial assistance to individuals with eating disorders and advocates for change to ensure continued access to quality care through regulatory initiatives.
