The Renfrew Center Foundation Partners with 2008 Miss America Kirsten Haglund and Her Mom, Iora Haglund, to Empower Parents to Fight Eating...(s choose to ignore the signs and the pro...),Health

"The journey to Kirsten becoming Miss America seemed, in a way, magical, but there was nothing magical about us getting past her anorexia as a family--the struggles, heartache, pain and hard work," said Iora Haglund. "This campaign gives us an incredible opportunity to share our story and inspire other families to do whatever it takes to recognize what is going on in their lives. To all the mothers, fathers, and children out there, there is knowledge, help, and healing."

Iora and Kirsten will begin spreading the word through a national and regional news media tour in conjunction with National Eating Disorders Week (February 22-28). In addition, "Mom's L.U.V." ambassadors, with assistance from The Renfrew Center Foundation, will be fulfilling similar duties on a local grassroots level in order to reach as many families as possible. In conjunction with the campaign, The Renfrew Center will offer a FREE "Mom's L.U.V." toolkit for parents with fact sheets and information to help them address this issue. There will also be an online forum for parents to share their own stories and communicate with Iora and other "Mom's L.U.V." ambassadors at www.renfrew.org

About Kirsten Haglund

At the age of 12, Kirsten Haglund began struggling with anorexia nervosa. Although both of her parents were nurses, they failed to recognize the signs early on, but soon intervened and helped bring their daughter out of denial. Together, the Haglund family sought treatment and supported each other through recovery and, in 2008, saw a healthy, happy Kirsten crowned the youngest Miss America in the history of the pageant. The Kirsten Haglund Foundation for Eating Disorders
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