Bicentennial Tower Lights Up for Eating Disorder Awareness

Contributed

The Bicentennial Tower will be lit blue and green to commemorate Eating Disorder Awareness Week, a campaign spearheaded by local eating disorder recovery and education group, White Pine Center for Healing.

2024's National Eating Disorders Awareness Week (EDAW) runs from Monday, Feb. 26 to Mar. 3. To honor this week, White Pine Center for Healing is shining a light on eating disorder awareness by lighting up the Bicentennial Tower in blue and green lights to represent eating disorder recovery at their annual lighting ceremony on Monday, Feb. 26 at 6 p.m. at the base of Dobbins Landing. 

White Pine Center for Healing is a local nonprofit who is the only center in Northwestern Pennsylvania that specializes in the treatment and prevention of eating disorders, body image issues, and trauma. Eating disorders have the highest mortality rate of any psychiatric disorder and affects almost 30 million Americans every year. Poor body image is a leading cause of developing an eating disorder, and one in five children around the world exhibit signs of disordered eating as a result.

The most effective way to fight back against rising cases of body image issues and eating disorders is by raising awareness. An important part of White Pine Center's mission is to provide outreach and prevention programs to Erie and the surrounding areas to prevent eating disorders before they start. The center provides these programs at no cost to the community and are solely grant and donation based.

Raising awareness about eating disorders is crucial in fighting back against rising cases because it increases early detection and intervention, which improves the chances of recovery, reduces stigma, creates a dialogue to encourage people to seek help, leads to advocacy for resources and support that makes treatment more accessible, fosters a sense of community support, and more.

Visual symbols, like the Bicentennial Tower lit in blue in green in honor of EDAW, are incredibly important in raising awareness about eating disorders because they provide a clear and recognizable representation of support, hope, and community for those who are affected by them.

Eating disorders and body image issues are all too often suffered in seclusion, secrecy, and silence. When people look up and see the Bicentennial Tower illuminated in blue and green, it will help them feel validated, understood, and that they are not alone in their struggles.

Illuminating one of the most prominent landmarks in Erie isn't about the landmark itself -- it's about representing Erie. It sends a message that, as a city, we are united in the effort to shine a light on eating disorders and body image issues and stand behind those in our community who need our support.

Join White Pine Center for Healing in shining a light on eating disorder awareness and show your support at their annual tower lighting ceremony on Monday, Feb. 26 at 6 p.m. at the base of Dobbins Landing. If you're unable to attend but would still like to show your support, check out their website for ways you can help.

More event information can be found on their Facebook page