Delta Phi Epsilon hosts annual ANAD Candlelight Vigil

Delta Phi Epsilon capped off Anorexia Nervosa and Associated Disorders (ANAD) Awareness Week with their annual ANAD Candlelight Vigil in Babbio Atrium, on Thursday, March 7. The event was equal parts solemn and uplifting, concluding a week of events which promoted body positivity and self-love.

ANAD Awareness Week seeks to increase student knowledge of eating disorders by educating students about health resources, inviting speakers, and nutrition workshops. Eating disorders are startlingly common; 4 in 10 people come into contact with eating disorders, either personally or through the experiences of someone close to them. Briana Maetta, Vice President of Programming for Delta Phi Epsilon (DPhiE), echoed the importance of ANAD Awareness on college campuses, saying, “as young college students, so many people suffer from eating disorders whether it be personally or someone you know … Eating disorders are so much more widespread than we think.” With this event, DPhiE sought to bring attention to eating disorders and show that recovery is possible.

At the ANAD Candlelight Vigil, DPhiE first showed their annual ANAD video, which introduced the prevalence of eating disorders at college campuses and had an uplifting message of self-love. Next, a DPhiE sister from Seton Hall University spoke about her struggles with body image issues, anorexia, and bulimia throughout her childhood, talking about how difficult it was to realize how serious her situation was, but echoing that recovery is possible. After a performance from Quackappella, attendees stood in a circle, lighting candles and reciting the ANAD pledge, which stressed self-love and looking out for others. Finally, everyone “let go” of their insecurities by writing an unhappy thought down on a balloon and releasing it off of Babbio Patio (don’t worry – the balloons were biodegradable).

ANAD Awareness week is just one part of DPhiE’s annual philanthropy events, and focuses on raising awareness rather than fundraising. However, through this event, and their other events like Castle Point King and Castle Point Cravings, the sorority successfully donated $10,000 last year to ANAD and the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation. This week though, Maetta hoped DPhiE helped Stevens students live healthier lifestyles and make our campus a more accepting community for those with eating disorders.