Our dear friend Naomi (91 East Productions) produced this short video on our upcoming trip. Check out the video for more information and please consider donating to the “Climb with Grace” through the Grace Holland Cozine Foundation using the link below. We appreciate all of your continued support ?? #climbwithgraceNEDA
On June 8th, a group traveled to Africa to climb it’s highest peak, Mount Kilimanjaro for the “Climb with Grace.” In connection with this journey, we are raising money in coordination with the National Eating Disorders Association in order to fund the types of causes and programs that were so important to Grace.
Eating disorders are serious but treatable mental and physical illnesses that can affect people of every age, sex, gender, race, ethnicity, and socioeconomic group. National surveys estimate that 20 million women and 10 million men in America will have an eating disorder at some point in their lives. While no one knows for sure what causes eating disorders, a growing consensus suggests that it is a range of biological, psychological, and sociocultural factors.
Grace struggled with her eating disorder from the age of 12. She was fully committed to overcoming her ED and reaching full recovery. For more than 7 years, Grace bravely faced her illness and committed herself to doing whatever was necessary to “get better.” Grace was supported by a focused and fully committed group of doctors, nutritionists, therapists and nurses as well as a loving family and amazing community of friends and supporters. Along her journey, Grace met a remarkable group of young women (and some men) who unfortunately were struggling with their own eating disorders. She connected with so many of these brave young people, providing them with support and encouragement, and was as committed to their recovery as she was to her own.
Grace was fierce as she fought her eating disorder. She also believed that she and others could get better. As she wrote, “Recovery does not just happen, but I can sincerely say that it IS possible. Never give up on the hope of recovery, because I PROMISE you it is possible. Life is meant to be lived, not restricted.”
Grace’s journey makes it clear just how complex and challenging eating disorders are and underscores the need for more research and support to help those impacted by this terrible, life threatening condition. The Grace Holland Cozine Foundation has teamed up with NEDA to raise funds and direct those affected to programs and causes connected to education, advocacy and community outreach. One program of particular focus is to fund schools for The Body Project, which is essentially designed to “teach the teachers” about how best to communicate with high school students about body image and issues connected to eating disorders.
By climbing Kilimanjaro, our intention is to honor Grace and the amazing energy she brought to this world. We also want to ask each and every one of you to contribute what you can to support the GHC Foundation and NEDA so that those impacted or at risk from this terrible disorder can receive much needed assistance. By returning the enclosed donation card or by https://give.everydayhero.com/us/climb-with-grace you can make your contribution – every dollar raised will make a difference and we thank you in advance for your generosity.
We depart on our trip on June 8 and hope that most, if not all, of us will summit on June 17. We will keep you up to date on our journey (and its preparation) with regular postings.
With love and gratitude,
Dan Cozine, Greg Cozine, Andy Brindle, Bill Morningstar
Keith Spencer, Matt Van Buren, Nick Williams, John Wilson