Anna Selina Westin lived in Chaska, MN, most of her life. She was born on November 27, 1978 and she died on February 17, 2000 as a direct result of anorexia, a deadly disease that affects approximately eight million Americans. After struggling with anorexia for five years, Anna committed suicide at the age of 21.

Anna graduated from Chaska High School in 1997 and was a student at the University of Oregon. She loved life and had many interests and talents including music, photography, hiking, backpacking, reading and writing, fishing, travel, and best of all, time spent with family and friends. She was thoughtful, compassionate and generous with her time. She did volunteer work and loved being with people. She will be remembered for her ability to connect with people and for her beautifully decorated cards and letters which she sent out to family and friends throughout her life. She had a talent for making everyone feel special and important.

Anna's family is very proud of her accomplishments, including her hard work to overcome anorexia. Anna was suffering from a serious illness that is often fatal and needs to be treated like other life-threatening diseases. The duration of the illness, the high cost of treatment, the lack of knowledge and understanding about eating disorders and the immense suffering they cause have prompted Anna's family to speak openly about her life and death in hopes that it will help other families. They also believe that more research needs to be done into the causes of the disease; more effective prevention and treatments must be developed; managed care must be forced to provide the necessary treatments.


Anna's Legacy<br />
The Anna Westin Foundation is dedicated to the prevention and treatment of eating disorders. We are committed to preventing the tragic loss of life to anorexia nervosa and bulimia, and to raising public awareness of these dangerous illnesses.

Our Goals <br />
Educate communities, parents and children about eating disorders
Support research which will help in the understanding of how and why eating disorders develop <br />
Develop and support effective treatment for eating disorders
Be an advocate for people with eating disorders so they can get the treatment they need for as long as they need it

Advocacy <br />
The Anna Westin Foundation is actively involved in advocating for people with eating disorders. We are one of the families named in the lawsuit filed in October, 2000 by Minnesota Attorney General Mike Hatch against Blue Cross Blue Shield of Minnesota. The suit charges BCBSMN of systematically denying medically necessary treatment for people with eating disorders and other mental health concerns. In addition we have joined a national advocacy organization, the Eating Disorder Coalition for Research, Policy and Action and have begun organizing a grassroots family action council.

Speakers and Education <br />
Education and raising awareness of eating disorders is one of the foundations top priorities. Since September, 2000 we have spoken to over 1200 people in schools, churches and hospitals about eating disorders. To schedule a speaking engagement, contact the AWF office.

Resources <br />
The AWF provides a list of resources related to eating disorders to anyone looking for information. We are also developing a resource lending library that will include books, periodicals and videos. See our current list of Internet resources.

Support <br />
We encourage people to contact us with questions, concerns or ideas. It is important to us that people who are suffering from eating disorders and their family and friends have the support they need. <br /><br />

External Links

Anna Westin... the PBS story<br />
The Anna Westin Foundation