WaterStone Foundation drives progress in the fight against eating disorders with first ever grant awards

Taking action on the first World Eating Disorders Action Day

TORONTO, June 2, 2016 /CNW/ - WaterStone Foundation announced its Inaugural Grants Program today, providing nearly $170,000 to four Ontario facilities offering highly specialized and innovative treatment programs to adults and children with eating disorders, and their families.  

"WaterStone Foundation applauds fund recipients for their progressive and inventive approaches to an illness that is not well understood and often stigmitized," said Kim Duffy, Co-founder and Board Chair of WaterStone Foundation. "Many of our board members and extended community network have first-hand experience in dealing with how this illness targets the individual and families who are affected. We share a vision of healthy lives, free from eating disorders, and are taking action to that end."

Funds awarded by WaterStone Foundation will be used to:

• Provide the first integrated intensive treatment in Ontario for individuals who have concurrent eating disorders and substance use problems, a joint undertaking of University Health Network delivered by Toronto General Hospital and Toronto Western Hospital ($50,000);
  
  
• Fill an important gap in services across the region by providing transitioning supportive housing in London, Ontario for individuals reintegrating into the community while completing or after having undergone treatment for an eating disorder, with services and support provided by CMHA Middlesex working in collaboration with the Eating Disorders Foundation of Canada and the London Health Science Centre Adult Eating Disorder Program ($50,000);
  
  
• Double the existing multi-family group therapy program for a one-year cycle at Southlake Regional Health Centre ($37,750);
  
  
• Provide support to The Hospital for Sick Children to help adolescents with eating disorders, and their families, transition to adult eating disorder services ($30,600).

"There are three recognized eating disorders; the most serious of which is anorexia nervosa, an illness that flies in the face of our survival, whereby individuals starve themselves to the point of emaciation and possible death. There is no single cause, nor cure for this illness," said Dr. Allan S. Kaplan, Senior Clinician/Scientist at the Center for Addiction and Mental Health in Toronto.  "Ongoing research and developing new treatment approaches are imperative if we are going to unlock the mysteries behind this disease. WaterStone's funding recipients are exemplary for applying best practices and taking them to the next level."

Only in its second year, WaterStone has already raised close to $500,000.  In addition to funding the four grants announced today, WaterStone Foundation has also provided financial aid to seven individuals to be treated at private clinics when they were unable to access appropriate treatment in the public hospital system and did not have the financial means to pay for treatment at a private clinic. 

WaterStone's funding announcement today also demonstrates its support of the first World Eating Disorders Action Day, taking place today.

The Foundation is also is hosting a private Garden Party Fundraiser on June 2, 2016 as part of its ongoing fundraising activities, enabling the Foundation to invest in additional programs and initiatives to help more people with eating disorders. The event is generously being hosted in the private residence of John Scullion and Michelle Busic, WaterStone Foundation supporters. Local business and community leaders will be in attendance, as well as Fund recipients, and members at large from the eating disorders community.

"We jumped on the opportunity to take action on the first World Eating Disorders Action Day, a global virtual event that indicates the urgent and pressing needs for services to help people with eating disorders," said Duffy. "We are all supportive of addressing the stigma that comes with eating disorders, and driving real progress towards the path of ending eating disorders."

More information about WaterStone Foundation Fund recipients and their programs can be found be visiting the News section on www.waterstonefoundation.ca.

About WaterStone Foundation:
WaterStone Foundation is a registered Canadian charity raising money to support our vision: to create healthy lives free from eating disorders.

Our goal is to provide much needed funding to support the full continuum of eating disorders from prevention to treatment and support post treatment through investment in research, hospital programs and financial assistance for patients needing urgent care who fall through the cracks in our public healthcare system. For more information, please visit www.waterstonefoundation.ca.

About World Eating Disorders Action Day:
Visit The World Eating Disorders Action Day website for more information.

SOURCE WaterStone Foundation

Teresa Pagnutti; [email protected]; 416-230-0172