Helloo friends and family,

Join us on a 7000km bike adventure across Canada from the West to the East coast! My friends and I will be hitting the road on the 1st of May and cycling for two months, testing our physical and mental limits while raising awareness and funds for BEAT, a charity dedicated to supporting those affected by eating disorders.

As someone who has personally experienced the challenges and consequences of disordered eating and RED-S, I am deeply passionate about supporting this cause. I was a long-distance runner during my late teens and struggled with an eating disorder, which led to the female athlete triad now known as RED-S (Relative Energy Deficiency in Sport). The female athlete triad occurs in female athletes and is characterised by the presence of disordered eating, amenorrhea (the absence of menstrual periods), and osteoporosis (weakening of the bones). RED-S, or Relative Energy Deficiency in Sport, is a related condition that can affect both male and female athletes and is caused by inadequate calorie intake, leading to physiological and psychological changes. This led to three years without a menstrual period, osteoporotic bone density, and a neck of femur stress fracture, which required a two-year and more recovery period. My aim is to increase awareness among physiotherapists, GPs, running clubs, and young athletes about these conditions and how to help earlier on.

By participating in this ride, I hope to not only push myself out of my comfort zone but also make a positive impact on the lives of others.

About Beat:

In addition to supporting individuals and families, Beat focuses on educating and raising awareness among healthcare professionals, doctors, and teachers.

Education for healthcare professionals: Beat offers training courses and resources to help healthcare professionals, such as GPs and nurses, understand the complexities of eating disorders and learn how to provide effective treatment and support. They also provide guidance on how to support people with eating disorders in emergency situations.

Education for doctors: Beat works with medical professionals to develop guidelines for the management of eating disorders, and they also run training courses to help doctors identify and treat eating disorders.

Education for teachers: Beat provides resources and training to help teachers recognise the signs of eating disorders and provide appropriate support to students who are affected.

Values: Beat's values include inclusivity, hope, empathy, respect, and collaboration. They are committed to empowering individuals and families affected by eating disorders and reducing the stigma associated with these conditions.

Beat provides a range of services for people affected by eating disorders, including a helpline, online support groups, and one-to-one web chat sessions. They also campaign for better access to treatment and support for eating disorders, and work to raise awareness of the prevalence and impact of these conditions.

If you're unable to contribute financially, your support and encouragement can still make a big difference in my journey. You can help by:

- Sharing my GoFundMe page with your friends and family on social media to help spread the word and reach more people

Every act of support, big or small, will be greatly appreciated and will help me reach my goal of raising funds for BEAT and increasing awareness about eating disorders. Thank you for your support!

Thanks,

Karina Bennet