Advocates registering now: We cannot now guarantee that you will meet with your elected officials in the House and Senate. We will arrange meetings for you where possible. You will still be an active member of your teams as they meet in House and Senate offices on April 10. We still look forward to seeing you!

Get active!

Capitol Hill is the place for eating disorder advocacy in April!

The Eating Disorders Coalition is hosting our biggest-ever EDC Lobby Day, plus we're offering a Congressional Briefing, and a Reception for Miss America Kirsten Haglund.

Join us in April as we launch the Federal Response to Eliminate Eating Disorders Act. The FREED Act is comprehensive eating disorders legislation to promote research, treatment, and education and prevention programs.

Basic Training

3-5 p.m., St. Mark's Episcopal Church, Parish Hall

3rd & A St SE, Washington DC 20003

Basic Training is required for all first-time advocates. You will learn about public policy, about how Congress makes laws, and you will review what Congress and the government has done - or not done - about eating disorders. If you have participated in a previous EDC Lobby Day, this session is optional.

Meet and Greet Social

5:00-5:45 p.m., St. Mark's Episcopal Church, Parish Hall

3rd & A Streets SE, Washington DC 20003

Join us for an informal "meet and greet" social featuring light snacks and other refreshments. The social takes place immediately after EDC Lobby Day Basic Training. Everyone registered for EDC Lobby Day is welcome.

Reception for Miss America  Kirsten Haglund

6:00-8:00 p.m.

Credit Union House

403 C Street NE

Washington DC 20002

The Eating Disorders Coalition proudly presents Miss America 2008 Kirsten Haglund. This special celebration will honor the new Miss America for selecting eating disorders awareness as her personal platform. This event will include Hors d'oeuvres, wine, and non-alcoholic beverages in an elegant setting on Capitol Hill, the Credit Union House. Advance tickets are required for the Reception for Miss America Kirsten Haglund. Separate ticket purchase required.

Message Training

9-10:30 a.m.

St. Mark's Episcopal Church, Parish Hall

3rd & A St SE, Washington DC 20003

Message Training is REQUIRED of everyone joining us for this EDC Lobby Day. You will review the talking points for the day and will practice your messages with your EDC Lobby Day team members. If you miss this brief session, you will not know your specific points nor your role in the team. A light breakfast will be served prior to Message Training.

EDC Lobby Day

11:00 a.m.- 4:30 p.m.

U.S. Capitol Complex

At the U.S. Capitol, you will work in teams meeting with elected officials and their staff. No one will lobby alone. Lobby teams will arrive for each appointment, deliver a packet of materials, and talk about how Congress can help.

To end the day, we will gather for a Congressional Briefing to discuss the FREED Act. Members of Congress and the media will also be invited to the briefing.

Congressional Briefing

The FREED ACT: A Federal Response to Eliminate Eating Disorders

4:30-5:30 p.m.

Rayburn House Office Building Room 2105

U.S. Capitol Complex

The EDC, in cooperation with Rep. Patrick Kennedy (D-RI), invites you to attend a Congressional Briefing, The FREED ACT, a Federal Response to Eliminate Eating Disorders. You will learn about a new comprehensive eating disorders bill to address research, treatment, and prevention services. Speakers include Margo Maine, Ph.D., Cynthia Bulik, Ph.D., FAED, Kathleen MacDonald, and Jeanine Cogan, Ph.D. This briefing is free and open to the public. Separate registration required. (All EDC Lobby Day participants will be automatically registered for the briefing.)