Organization Provides Support for People with Eating Disorders
SARATOGA SPRINGS — A new nonprofit organization in Saratoga Springs aims to educate, support, advocate and fundraise for people affected by Eating Disorders.
Saratoga Springs residents Annalise and Cheryl Marron founded Flutters of Hope Inc. in Sept. 2019 as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. Annalise was diagnosed with this disease at 11-years-old and came to realize, she wanted to support others like herself and not let others suffer alone.
Annalise Marron creates baskets of soothing supplies she calls “ButerflyWish Baskets,” along with a personal note with words of encouragement. Annalise has recently delivered four “ButterflyWish Baskets” to Albany Medical Center’s Comprehensive Care Center for Eating Disorders of Northeastern New York. Aware of the overwhelming costs associated with treating eating disorders, Annalise hopes to help offset the cost of treatment, travel, and counseling by creating a “ButterflyWish” Grant when more funds are raised.
Eating disorders have the highest mortality rate of any mental health disorder, yet many people never receive treatment, Cheryl Marron says. Residential treatment can cost around $30,000 or more a month. Counseling sessions cost roughly $250 per session.
Education, awareness, prevention and support are the key elements to fighting this disease. Recent studies have identified eating disorders as a genetic, neurological, and a biological disease intensified by social influences that increase the chances of suffering with an eating disorder. This disease can have a multitude of additional diagnoses, such as anxiety disorders, OCD, depression and bipolar disorder.
Flutters of Hope Inc. seeks the community’s support to help Annalise Marron fulfill her wish to help others fight Eating Disorders. All donations will go to recipients of “ButterflyWish Baskets” and “ButterflyWish” Grants in the Capital Region.
For more information on how to support, please visit fluttersofhopeinc.org or contact Cheryl Marron at hello@fluttersofhopeinc.org or 716-818-0170. Maggie Callesano can be reached at fundraising@fluttersofhopeinc.org.