Candlelight vigil honors eating disorder survivors in Naperville

Candles illuminated the evening Monday in the Healing Garden at Edward Hospital in Naperville as people affected by eating disorders and their supporters gathered for an event designed to encourage recovery.

The 12th annual Candlelight Vigil for those affected by eating disorders was sponsored by Linden Oaks at Edward Behavioral Health and the National Association for Anorexia Nervosa and Associated Eating Disorders.

The vigil typically draws about 300 people for an evening that commemorates those who have lost their lives to eating disorders, recognizes survivors who have recovered and provides support for families of those struggling now with disordered eating.

Comedian Stacey Prussman addressed the crowd Monday as the keynote speaker, sharing her story of disordered eating and negative self-image, which began at age 10 when an agent told her she needed to lose weight after she auditioned for the starring role in the musical "Annie."

The event is an outreach of the Linden Oaks eating disorders program, which offers four levels of care to help teens and adults recover from anorexia and bulimia among other eating disorders. For details, call (630) 305-5027 or visit lindenoaks.org/eatingdisorders.