Emi Berger rode nearly 4,000 miles to raise funds to provide support for eating disorders sufferers
SAN DIEGO, Dec. 5, 2011 — On November 15, 2011, a young woman named Emi Berger rode into San Diego, CA, with 3,900 miles and more than $10,000 under her belt — all in support of individuals who are suffering with deadly eating disorders.
Emi's ride began more than two decades ago, when a dear friend of hers first began battling bulimia. That battle lasted 15 long years and left a lasting impression on Emi, who vowed to find a way to reach out and help others who suffered similarly.
Eating disorders affect as much as 10 percent of the population, and they are also the most deadly of all psychiatric illnesses. According to the National Eating Disorders Association (NEDA), as few as one-third of those who suffer ever receive adequate medical care.
Emi began riding with a goal to raise funds to support MentorCONNECT, an international non-profit organization that provides free mentoring and peer support to eating disorder sufferers. Emi's ride was nicknamed "Tour de MentorCONNECT" in honor of one of her athletic heroes, Lance Armstrong, who has used his superstar status as an athlete and his own experiences battling cancer to highlight the plight of other cancer sufferers.
In Emi's own words, "I chose MentorCONNECT because this non-profit organization provides those struggling with a safe and easy way to ask for help and, with the help of a community of peers, find ways to recover and rebuild their lives."
More information about Emi's ride, including a link to her daily ride journal with photographs, is available at http://www.mentorconnect-ed.org/tourdementorconnect/.
"We are so grateful to individuals like Emi, who understand how difficult the eating disorder recovery process can be and how few resources are out there to support those who are suffering. Without people like Emi, MentorCONNECT and other non-profit organizations like ours could not keep our doors open," says Shannon Cutts, Executive Director for MentorCONNECT and survivor of a 15-year battle with anorexia and bulimia.
Photo:
http://www.ereleases.com/pic/2011-EmiArrival.jpg
For more information please contact:
Shannon Cutts
Executive Director, MentorCONNECT
713-382-4272
Email
More About MentorCONNECT
MentorCONNECT, a non-profit organization, is the first global eating disorders mentoring community. Females and males aged 14 and up actively engaged in recovery from anorexia, bulimia, binge eating disorder, and eating disorders not otherwise specified are encouraged to join. Members can match with a mentor for individual support, participate in group mentoring activities, join in weekly support group meetings, receive daily supportive emails, enjoy monthly teleconferences, create a personal recovery blog, and more. MentorCONNECT is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization (Tax ID: 32041949804). http://www.mentorconnect-ed.org
MentorCONNECT Logo:
http://www.ereleases.com/pic/2011-MentorCONNECT.jpg
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