The 2012 Washington NEDA Disorders Awareness Walk, kicked off at 11:00am, Sunday February 19, 2012 for a 5k circuit of the National Mall. Registration opened at 9:00am and the walk began at the National Mall exactly at 11:10am. The Walk was delayed ten minutes, after a 20-year-old girl, that wishes to remain anonymous had a seizure. Around 10:45am the girl began to have a seizure. At this time the cause of the seizure was unknown. Before Paramedics rushed to the scene at 10:55am, a nurse named Kelly a girl who was participating at the walk, try to help the young woman before the paramedics arrived.
Over 300 participants stood in front of event and health organizer at American University: Alan Duffy, as he opened the walk with words of encouragement. Lines rapped around three of the registration tables: two walk-ins registration tables, and one online-preregistered table. NEDA, which stands for National Eating Disorder Association, has been around since 2009. NEDA’s main focus at the 2012 Eating Disorders Awareness Walk was bringing awareness around the community, in addition to vital funds, and spirits in the fight of eating disorders.
As participants registered for the Eating Disorders Awareness Walk at the National Mall, volunteers informed the participants on what’s are eating disorders by passing out educational pamphlets. Last year was Washington’s 1st Annual Eating Disorders Awareness Walk. For the 2nd Annual Eating Disorders Awareness Walk, NEDA teamed up with American University’s Wellness Center. According to Marie Banes, one of the volunteers of the NEDA Washington location said, “We raised 10,000 last year and this year we raised 32,000 as you can see we had a great turnout”. Banes volunteered last year when only 60 people showed up, a year later they triple the numbers with over 300 participants and ten confirmed dog owners brought there dog out with them for this years Walk. The Top three participants who raised the most money were: Leah Siskin (3,003.00), Barbara Siskin (1,460.00) and Stephanie Layne ($1,425.00). The Top three teams were: Sarah’s Squad (9,767.00), The Road to Recovery ($2,865.00) and Pam’s Team ($2,475.00).
Director of Programs Susie Roman joined the eating disorders walk at the National Mall. Roman’s fourth year as director for NEDA, she was thrilled to see that NEDA raised 22,000 more than last years 10,000 earnings. Roman said, “I’m thrilled that we have such an amazing staff, volunteers and that more and more people are becoming aware of this touchy subject”. When asked if she believes the media is responsible for body images she responded by saying “ Eating Disorders are very complex, there’s many factors involved in eating disorders that I can’t just say the media because it’s very complex”.
A supporter named James who didn’t walk the 3.2 miles said he arrived at 9am to support his sister. James’s sister dealt with numerous cases of eating disorders while growing up. Right now she’s fighting to overcome the disorder brings awareness at the same time. When asked why James was not walking side by side with his sister, he replied, “I don’t have the 25 dollar fee but I am here supporting her throughout her journey”. James who is an 20 year old college student inspiring to become a preacher talked about issues he’s dealt with in the past. James’s drug addiction led him to his re-birth Christianity and why he puts god first. James said, “ I understand what’s an addiction, I can relate to my sister, rather it’s drugs or an disorder it’s still an addiction.
Although NEDA is a well-known organization, Kaitlyn Wozniak helped with promotions and bringing Channel 9, ABC 7, Timberline Knolls, and NBC 4 to this year’s Eating Disorders Walk Awareness. Wozniak also organized a radio interview at WJLK to inform the public about NEDA’s 2012 Washington Eating Disorders Walk at the National Mall. Wozniak found out about NEDA organization, after personal struggles with Eating Disorders, Wozniak finds it refreshing to be apart of NEDA and bringing awareness to the community.
Once every participant completed their 5 k circuit walk around the National Mall, many participants gathered around the refreshment table. The refreshment table consists of four bottles of waters, three packs of fourteen apples, chewy variety pack and left over pamphlets from the introduction of the walk.
After everyone settled down from their walk, again, Alan Duffy the event organizer spoke final words about the over all event. Duffy asked for a moment of silence for all of 24 million lives that were lost over Eating Disorders. All of the participants then gave Duffy an round of applause, they received T-shirts and special thanks to participants outside of the D.C area that came out. Duffy’s final words was about Thursday’s 5pm candle light visual at American University, where they will share stories of recovery, family members stories and bringing awareness on American University’s campus.
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