Em Upton Scholarship Fund for HHRR

On January 25th, 2019 at the age of 29, Emily Upton passed away from Anorexia Nervosa. For the third year, we are holding a fundraiser for the Em Upton Scholarship at the renamed, Hull House Real Recovery (previously, Hull House Recovery Residences).

The only way to describe Emily is she was everything good in this world. Her grin shined so bright, she could have kept the moon and stars lit at night. Em adored horseback riding and was actively studying toward a career as a veterinary technician. She made quick-witted comebacks to defend her beloved Cleveland Browns and made Ohio sound like a piece of paradise.

The Em Upton Scholarship is an opportunity to help alleviate the cost of care for those in need at Hull House Real Recovery. Hull House has pivoted its mission from a residence into a peer support network that can be sought anywhere in the United States. Clients of any gender, race, or diagnosis are paired with a vetted and trained Peer Support who will work in unison with the client’s treatment team. A peer support is someone who can offer support in the community, over the phone, online, during meals, in the grocery store, with sobriety… whatever is needed for the client’s recovery.

Every 52 minutes, someone loses their life as a result of an eating disorder. We have lost many friends and peers to this dreadful disease. This past November, our friend Brian Ball died after a long battle with Anorexia. One of his last messages to Jenn was "Do you think it was Em's time to go?" It wasn't Emily's time nor Brian's time, but it IS time we work together to fight weight, gender, and other stigmas surrounding eating disorders and help as many as possible find lasting recovery.

Any monies donated will be directly used for patients in financial need, seeking a trained Peer Support through the Em Upton Scholarship (except for 2.9% + $0.30 of each donation that goes towards GoFundMe).

Understandably money can be tight for many people. We appreciate every share, each referral, and your ongoing support.

As always, for those who are fighting the life-and-death battle with an eating disorder, put your own recovery needs first. Reach out for support.

Thank you for your donations and ongoing support.

Jenn McCartney & Beth Hoffman

https://hullhouserr.org/em-upton-scholarship-fund/