I am running in the Melbourne Marathon in support of the Butterfly Foundation. An incredible organisation that raises awareness of eating disorders, provides treatment to sufferers and undertakes research. I am to raise $1000 which is enough to train health workers and doctors within a local community in the identification and treatment of people with eating disorders. 

Many of you know that I have suffered from Anorexia and other mental health conditions and thus it is a cause that is close to my heart and one I am passionate about.

Eating disorders are seriously misunderstood and presumed to be a disease of the upper middle class female or a diet gone wrong. The fact is they are an illness just like cystic fibrosis or diabetes and can affect anyone, of any gender, and of any age. Only instead of your lungs or pancreas being affected it is your brain.

Eating disorders are the most deadly mental illness. However, the resources dedicated towards them do not reflect this. In the public hospital system there are only 15 beds in the entire state of Victoria dedicated for eating disorders. That is despite approximately 540 000 people state-wide dealing with a diagnosable eating disorder (9% of population). I was lucky and had private health insurance which meant I could be admitted to a private clinic before I reached total crisis point. However, for the vast majority this is not a reality. For many, by the time they qualify for treatment it is often too late. 

Thus, I have decided to raise funds for the Butterfly Treatment in the hopes of one day having accessible and effective treatment available for all sufferers from eating disorders.