The Federal Response to Eliminate Eating Disorders, or The FREED Act, was summarized by The Center for Eating Disorders’ blog last year in an entry titled, Eating Disorder Epidemic: We Want to be FREED. This legislation is the first to advocate for comprehensive programs for the prevention, research and treatment of eating disorders. Since the time of our last blog, the FREED Act has gained six new cosponsors including representatives from Virginia, New Jersey and Ohio, but you don’t have to be an elected official to get involved!On September 24^th, 2009, The Eating Disorders Coalition (EDC) will host its second Lobby Day of the year on Capitol Hill, and YOU CAN JOIN THEM!  This is an opportunity to join hundreds of other advocates in Washington D.C. to send a message about the pervasive existence of eating disorders in our country, while helping to generate further support for the FREED Act.Prior to the Lobby Day, The EDC will provide training for advocates, including a “Basic Training” on Wednesday, September 23rd for first-time advocates. This training will be followed by a Meet-&-Greet Social later that evening.  A “Message Training” will take place for ALL involved advocates on the morning of the Lobby Day on Thursday September 24^th.  This is a wonderful opportunity to make your voice heard and to join others who share a devotion to this very worthy cause.  If you plan to attend, be sure to register ahead of time at EDC’s website!

Find out more about this legislation by reading a Summary of the FREED Act.

photo courtesy of nawb.org