In January 2022, Joshua Bell founded a student group at MacEwan University called EDAM (Eating Disorder Awareness MacEwan). The creation of EDAM provided MacEwan University students with a space where voices were heard, stories were shared, and the complex, multifaceted realities of eating disorders were understood and navigated with empathy and insight.
EDA YEG
After creating EDAM, Joshua had the mission to expand eating disorder awareness to the entire Edmontonian community, as such, EDA YEG was created. Through EDAM and EDA YEG, the two groups provided awareness and support for eating disorders, disordered eating tendencies, and food intake, with the goal of promoting healthy eating behaviours and body acceptance.
CEDAA
A few months after creating EDA YEG, Joshua realized that the mission to provide eating disorder awareness should not be restrained only to Edmonton, he had the vision of providing awareness to the entire Canadian population. To achieve this mission; in April 2022, CEDAA (Collaborative Eating Disorder Awareness Association) was registered as a not-for-profit organization.
An Official Charity
In April 2023, CEDAA obtained its official designation as a charity from the Canadian Government.
Expanding Nationwide
Maintaining a strong connection to its roots through its student group at MacEwan University and commitment to Edmonton, CEDAA started to support new student groups at post-secondary institutions across Canada. This effort resulted in the creation of EDAUA at the University of Alberta and EDAMC at McMaster Universities. These student groups connect with their local communities and allow CEDAA to achieve its mission of providing awareness into eating disorders and provide resources.
Present
After two years of expansion into new communities across Canada, CEDAA is now moving to its next phase as an organization. With a growing number of volunteers, members, and responsibilities. In 2024, CEDAA is moving to define and rebrand itself to a more professional and research-focused organization.
EDAM
In January 2022, Joshua Bell founded a student group at MacEwan University called EDAM (Eating Disorder Awareness MacEwan). The creation of EDAM provided MacEwan students with a space where voices were heard, stories were shared, and the complex, multifaceted realities of eating disorders were understood and navigated with empathy and insight.
EDA YEG
After creating EDAM, Joshua had the mission to expand eating disorder awareness to the entire Edmontonian community, as such, EDA YEG was created. Through EDAM and EDA YEG, the two groups provided awareness and support for eating disorders, disordered eating tendencies, and food intake, with the goal of promoting healthy eating behaviours and body acceptance.
CEDAA
A few months after creating EDA YEG, Joshua realized that the mission to provide eating disorder awareness should not be restrained only to Edmonton, he had the vision of providing awareness to the entire Canadian population. To achieve this mission; in April 2022, CEDAA (Collaborative Eating Disorder Awareness Association) was registered as a non-for-profit organization.
An Official Charity
In April 2023, CEDAA obtained its official designation as a charity from the Canadian Government.
Expanding Nationwide
Maintaining a strong connection to its roots through its student group at MacEwan University and commitment to Edmonton, CEDAA started to support new student groups at post-secondary institutions across Canada. This effort resulted in the creation of EDAUA at the University of Alberta and EDAMC at McMaster Universities. These student groups connect with their local communities and allow CEDAA to achieve its mission of providing awareness into eating disorders and provide resources.
Present
After two years of expansion into new communities across Canada, CEDAA is now moving to its next phase as an organization. With a growing number of volunteers, members, and responsibilities. In 2024, CEDAA is moving to define and rebrand itself to a more professional and research-focused organization.
Join us in our mission.
More than 3 million people in Canada suffer from an Eating Disorder. We want to change that.
Thank you! Your submission has been received!
Oops! Something went wrong while submitting the form.
.png)