Healing the Fracture: A Call to Unity on World Eating Disorders Action Day

Dawn Gannon, MBA, CAE
Executive Director

On any given day, our global professional community can feel deeply divided or even fractured.
We care deeply about the work we do. That passion can lead to strong differences—whether
it’s in how we approach treatment, how we advocate for inclusivity and equity, how we feel
professional organizations are (or aren’t) meeting our expectations for engaging and supporting
the community locally, nationally, and globally, or how we navigate complex issues like trauma-
informed care and ethical practice. Sometimes, those differences lead to tension—and yes,
even hurt feelings.

But not today.

Today is World Eating Disorders Action Day (WEDAD)—a day when those divisions take a back
seat to a shared mission. On this day, our community of professionals, families, educators,
researchers, and advocates comes together to raise global awareness about eating disorders.

Those of us working in the field, whether providing direct care or supporting the broader
community, think about eating disorders every day, work tirelessly to help individuals access
the best treatment for their unique needs, and that’s something to be proud of.

So why is today so important? Why are hundreds of organizations and untold numbers of
people all focused on eating disorders today, and what does that have to do with a deeply
divided community?

I am honored to serve as the Executive Director of the International Association of Eating
Disorders Professionals Foundation (iaedp TM ). And, in that role – and yours, too – it may seem
obvious that today is important because of our collective efforts to take action for a common
purpose – to bring awareness to and about eating disorders. Our collective efforts prove that
we can unite and heal the divisions within. World Eating Disorders Action Day shows us that
despite differing opinions and beliefs, we can work together for the greater good. We can find
common ground to benefit those who need our help when it matters most.

Each of us brings different skills, knowledge, and passions to this work, and we offer them
generously every day because we believe in making a difference. At the iaedp Foundation, we envision a world without eating disorders and commit to doing our part to make that a reality
transparently and ethically.

As of this writing, over 300 organizations, including the iaedp Foundation, have stepped
up—hosting events, launching social media campaigns and podcasts, conducting interviews,
and working across borders and disciplines to make an impact on this one crucial day. In many
places, some organizations offer resources where none previously existed.

This day also reminds us that wisdom and leadership are emerging, not just from North
America, but across all continents –in diverse voices from Latin America, Asia, Africa, Australia,
Europe, the Middle East, and beyond. These communities bring creativity, courage, and lived
experiences that challenge dominant narratives and expand our collective understanding. Our
strength lies in recognizing the value of every voice.

We are all dedicated to a field where the well-being of individuals and communities often
hinges on our active presence and engagement. We are called to do more than offer support
and guidance; we are called to act and practice with empathy, compassion, and love. Not just
any love, but storge, the deep, familial bond that comforts, heals, and holds people together. In
many cases, we become more than professionals; we become part of the extended families and
global communities we serve. Together with our families, peers, and colleagues, we remain
committed to finding paths toward healing, whether for an individual, a family, or an entire
community, no matter where they are in the world.

Are we perfect as organizations serving the community?
No.

Are we perfect as human beings?
Of course not.
Is there a clear need for improvement?
Yes, there is.

As the iaedp Foundation President, Dra. Eva Trujillo noted in her recent blog that this need for
improvement is urgent in many regions, particularly underserved communities. Since the
pandemic, we have seen a dramatic increase in unregulated, superficial training programs that
claim to prepare professionals to treat eating disorders. These offerings often lack clinical rigor,
cultural relevance, and oversight, and instead of closing gaps, they perpetuate misinformation
and harm. As a global field, we are responsible for raising the education standard and
ensuring that all professionals, regardless of geography, have access to evidence-based,
ethically delivered training that truly prepares them to support those in need.

But look at us today.

● We are making a difference.
● We are doing things differently.
● We are expanding access to care.
● We are talking openly about critical issues.
● We are providing essential resources.

Some may feel that the divisions and fractures within our community are beyond repair. I
strongly disagree—and I believe you do, too.

So, how do we begin to heal our community?

We start by continuing what we’ve done today: finding ways to work together, identifying our
shared goals, recognizing that our differences are our strengths, and ensuring that everyone is
accepted for who they are and how they present. We normalize open dialogue about our
differences and commit to collaborative solutions that expand care, access, and
understanding.

As organizations, we begin by reaching out to one another, recognizing each other’s strengths,
sharing our own, and uniting our efforts to broaden services and support.

One of the iaedp™ Foundation’s greatest strengths is providing evidence-based educational
content for professionals treating eating disorders. Other organizations lead the field in
research, family support, advocacy, and access to care. Together, we are stronger.

I’ll say it again: we can heal the divisions within our community, but only by working together.

Will you work with us to keep the momentum of World Eating Disorders Action Day?

Let’s continue the conversation, collaborate, and move closer to fulfilling the vision of a world
without eating disorders.

World Eating Disorders Action Day is not the end—it´s the beginning. It signals that together,
we can choose courage over division, compassion over judgment, and collaboration over
silence. We are already healing. Let’s keep going.

Send me an email at
dawn@iaedpfoundation.com, and let’s talk about how we can begin healing our community
together.

NOTE:  World Eating Disorders Action ™ is a global independent collective founded in 2014 by activists and people with lived experience across the globe to share correct information about eating disorders, promote evidence based treatment and offer a platform for like minded organizations to promote policy, research and program advances, ultimately to help those affected and their families.  We bring together over 300 organizations from over 60 countries globally each year.  Blog posts by individuals and agencies are the opinions and perspectives of those contributing and not necessarily the views of World Eating Disorders Action.