A Charming Idea: Divorce Ed New sterling silver charm wages war on eating disorders (a.k.a. Ed).

As a sparkling reminder of why it’s best to live life without an eating disorder (a.k.a. Ed), jewelry designer, Sue Gillerlain, and Jenni Schaefer, author of Life Without Ed: How One Woman Declared Independence from Her Eating Disorder and How You Can Too (McGraw-Hill), teamed up to create a two-sided sterling silver charm inscribed with the words, “Life Without Ed™.”

“We developed this charm together to support recovery from eating disorders and to counteract jewelry now available that actually promotes eating disorders such as “pro-ana” bracelets,” says Schaefer, who was featured on “Entertainment Tonight” and “Dr. Phil.” “People who identify themselves as pro-ana wear color-coded bracelets to signify their disease and to be able to identify each other at first glance.”

Ten percent of the sale of each Life Without Ed™ charm and Life Without Ed™ bracelet and necklace is donated to the Seattle-based National Eating Disorders Association (NEDA) to promote awareness, education and helpline support.

“It’s exciting to see two individuals who are recovering from their own eating disorders able to help others through their passions in jewelry design and writing,” says Lynn Grefe, CEO, NEDA. “We’re delighted to be a part of Sue and Jenni’s Life Without Ed™ jewelry collection.”

The rectangular sterling silver charm weighs 2 grams and is two-sided. On one side of the diminutive charm, a hand-drawn flower, signifying personal growth, is the focal point. On the back of the charm, the phrase “Life Without Ed™” appears along side a smaller flower. Each charm is placed on a sterling silver jump ring along with a single freshwater pearl to symbolize the wisdom, “You do better when you know better.” All charms are cast and finished by hand in the United States. All sterling silver chains are made in the United States.

The sterling silver Life Without Ed™ charm with pearl ($32); sterling silver bracelet with charm and pearl ($56); and sterling silver necklace with charm and pearl ($54) can all be purchased at online at www.sarah-kate.com or www.jennischaefer.com or by calling Sue Gillerlain at (630) 482-9140. Wholesale pricing for retailers is also available.
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For high-resolution, digital images of the Life Without Ed™ charm and accompanying jewelry pieces, please contact Sue Gillerlain at (630) 482-9140 or sue@sarah-kate.com.

About Author, Jenni Schaefer
Following years of individual and group psychotherapy, Jenni Schaefer, who is a singer/songwriter, wrote about her experience in her book Life Without Ed: How One Woman Declared Independence from Her Eating Disorder and How You Can Too (McGraw-Hill). She is a contributing author to both Chicken Soup for the Recovering Soul and the newly released book Chicken Soup for the Recovering Soul: Daily Inspirations (HCI Books). Schaefer is gaining a national reputation as an inspirational speaker and has been featured in Cosmopolitan, Cosmogirl, Publisher’s Weekly, and Woman’s World. She also appeared on the “Dr. Phil” show to help promote eating disorder awareness. For more information, visit . For information about Schaefer’s availability as a speaker, e-mail info@jennischaefer.com.

About Jewelry Designer, Sue Gillerlain
Sue Gillerlain, 39, owner of Sarah Kate (), a jewelry company named after her daughter, and a marketing manager for a trade publishing company, is using her talents in jewelry design and marketing, and her personal experience recovering from anorexia and bulimia, to help raise awareness about eating disorders. Gillerlain leads a weekly eating disorders recovery meeting at the Ragamuffin Coffeehouse in St. Charles, Illinois, every Saturday morning from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. For more information, please contact Sue Gillerlain at (630) 482-9140 or sue@sarah-kate.com or www.sarah-kate.com.

About the National Eating Disorders Association
Headquartered in Seattle, the National Eating Disorders Association (NEDA) is the largest not-for-profit organization in the country dedicated to supporting research for the prevention, treatment and cure of eating disorders; supporting state legislative and advocacy efforts for access to treatment; expanding public education and awareness of eating disorders; promoting access and providing referrals to quality treatment for those affected; and providing support for their loved ones. Since the inception of its helpline in 1999, NEDA has referred more than 50,000 people to treatment and tallies more than 40 million hits annually on its Web site, www.nationaleatingdisorders.org. NEDA’s live helpline: (800) 931-2237; Monday: 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. (PST); Tuesday to Friday: 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. (PST).