Project HEAL: Help to Eat, Accept, and Live

See their website here: https://www.theprojectheal.org/

Mackenzie lived her life to the fullest in every way she could. Truly never saying  'no' and trying just about anything. Her eating disorder stepped in as her only  'no', pulling Mackenzie back in many ways. It wasn't her but rather the voice inside her head. It’s easily confusing, as one lives inside the other, so they might at times appear as one.  But they were not.

In the United States alone, there are 30 million Americans suffering with an eating disorder, and that only includes formal diagnoses. Despite this prevalence, only 20% receive treatment. The other 24 million cannot access the care they need due to insurmountable financial and insurance barriers, in addition to pervasive systemic oppression and bias.

$50 – Co-pays for treatment
$150 – Insurance navigation support
$250 – Grow our HEALers Circle network of treatment providers
$500 – Travel expenses for treatment
$1,000 – 1-month of outpatient treatment
$5,000 – Annual health insurance deductible

We’re a multidisciplinary team that works with those struggling with life-threatening eating disorders. This past winter, we had the privilege of caring for a patient who tragically died from an eating disorder at a young age. There are so many things that made our patient unforgettable…she loved Harry Potter, photography, and outdoor adventures. Not only was she kind, intelligent, funny, and brave, she also possessed a passion for life. Her powerful love of her family and friends kept her fighting ….. through fear, right until the very end.

Her spirit and love of the outdoors inspired us to summit a Colorado 14er in remembrance and as a way to raise money for Project Heal. Eating disorders are known to be one of the most difficult mental illnesses to treat. They are also the most deadly. The majority of sufferers don’t receive treatment, or are discharged prior to solidifying the gains needed to reach full recovery. As eating disorder professionals, we are acutely aware of these statistics. But these aren’t just numbers, they are real people with loving families and friends. Prevention, early intervention, and appropriate treatment are critical. As a non-profit, Project Heal recognizes this and provides assistance in accessing treatment, as well as focuses on early intervention and recovery support. For more information on Project Heal, visit their website: https://www.theprojectheal.org/ 

We’ll always hold our patient in our hearts. She will always be an influence on the work we do. Please consider even a small donation to our Hike for Hope. All proceeds will be donated to Project Heal in remembrance. It truly could save a life.