Group raises funds for treatment center
Posted On: Wednesday, Mar. 10 2010 05:24 AM
By Rebecca LaFlure
Killeen Daily HeraldWhen Dawn Montaner's youngest daughter was diagnosed with bulimia more than 10 years ago, family members struggled to find an affordable treatment center in the area.
The experience spurred the Waco mom to found Lifeline Foundation for Eating Disorders and work to bring a nonprofit, residential eating disorder treatment center to Central Texas.
"We may not be degreed but sure have a lot of life experience," Montaner said. "People don't understand eating disorders. … It requires medical attention."
The student Association of Anorexia Nervosa and Associated Disorders at Texas A&M University-Central Texas is hosting a raffle to raise money to contribute to Montaner's vision.
Her goal is to establish The Haven, a long-term residential treatment facility in Waco. The center's staff of physicians, therapists and dieticians would help clients recover from eating disorders and educate their families.
Last year ANAD raised $500 to give to Lifelines and they hope to raise more this year.
Heidi Strickler, faculty adviser for ANAD and assistant professor of social work at A&M-Central Texas, said it's especially important for the university to get involved because of the high percentage of college students it affects. Eating disorders are the most fatal mental illness, and 10 percent of people have eating disorder symptoms, she said.
"It's a really big problem on college campuses," Strickler said. "Since we have a high military population, many engage in unhealthy exercise and eating habits because of strict weight standards."
Strickler said having a center in the area would help clients attend treatment while remaining close to their family and friends.
Montaner is raising money to buy a house in Waco to host the residential program and eventually hopes to build a separate facility in Riesel.
The nonprofit is also working to launch a 14-day, outpatient program by May 1. The program, housed at Victorious Life Church on Interstate 35 in Hewitt, would provide clients with a resource that falls in between regular therapy and a residential facility.
Montaner said no surveys have been conducted to measure the number of people who suffer from eating disorders in Central Texas, but said the nonprofit's clientele continues to grow each year.
"We continually have people coming forward," she said. "They need someone to help walk them through it."
ANAD is raffling off about six gift baskets for adults and children and selling tickets for $1 each or six for $5. Today is the last day to participate.
To purchase tickets and support ANAD, see a social work student or contact Strickler at 519-5414 or
Strickler@tarleton.edu.
To learn more about Lifelines, go to
www.lfed.org.
Contact Rebecca LaFlure at
rlaflure@kdhnews.com or (254) 501-7548. Follow her on Twitter at KDHeducation.