Lisa Marie Calabrese's death, at 21, prompted family to raise money to help area folks battling such disorders.
Lisa Marie Calabrese was just 21 years old when the 2006 West Springfield High School graduate took her own life in 2009, after battling eating disorders for about four years. Calabrese’s family continues to raise awareness about eating disorders through Lisa’s Light of Hope, which raises money for research, support groups, school programs and scholarships in her memory.
Amy Mendrala, Calabrese’s aunt, said the family began, shortly after her niece died in February 2009, by organizing a golf tournament the following August to fund a high school scholarship.
“It was amazing,” Mendrala said. “Everyone came together for something so good that day.”
Calabrese’s family organized the golf tournament again the following year, and then decided they wanted to expand what they do.
“We want to help people suffering from eating disorders,” Mendrala said.
After establishing Lisa’s Light of Hope fund in 2011, the organization met with Dr. Barry Sarvet, vice chair of the department of psychiatry at Baystate Health in Springfield.
“He came up with a proposal for a yoga research therapy program,” Mendrala said. “We funded that program for him to do his research to see if yoga can be proven beneficial for those with eating disorders. Yoga could then be an approved therapy for doctors to recommend to their patients, and programs could be created.”
The first round of the research program was conducted last fall, and Mendrala said she expects another round to be scheduled soon.
Lisa’s Light of Hope also recently became involved with the new Baystate Children’s Specialty Center.
“We were able to open an exam room in Lisa’s honor in the weight management neighborhood of the hospital,” Mendrala said. “We had a dedication, and there is a plaque in memory of Lisa Calabrese.”
In addition, Lisa’s Light of Hope works with Walden Behavioral Care in Northampton, which treats eating disorders, to provide support groups for families.
“It’s very important for families to understand the struggles of their loved one,” she said. “It’s very stressful in the house when you have a loved one with an eating disorder.”
Lisa’s Light of Hope offers a scholarship of recovery program through Walden, to help those who can’t afford co-pays or transportation to their appointments.
“Sometimes, that’s the reason why people can’t get there and get their recovery going,” Mendrala said.
One of the biggest outreach programs offered by the organization is a program brought to area schools, for students in eighth grade and above.
“It’s a personal perspective presentation, told from my perspective as Lisa’s aunt,” Mendrala said. “I talk about what led up to (her illness). I talk about her childhood, how everything affected us, and I touch on suicide. It gets the conversation flowing for a lot of schools on how to treat people (dealing with eating disorders).”
Mendrala said she talks about how kids can be more aware of their peers’ mental health. She gives her presentations in health classes or with larger groups in school auditoriums. She said students tend to open up more in the smaller classroom setting.
“I’m surprised, but I’m not surprised, when girls stand up and say, ‘Thank you for sharing this story because no one talks about it, and I’ve been struggling with this for X amount of time,’” she said.
There is always a school counselor present during her presentation, and counselors are made available to students following the program if students need to talk.
“There’s a lot of follow up at the school level,” Mendrala said.
Lisa’s Light of Hope has visited Agawam Junior High School, Chicopee High School, Southwick-Tolland Regional High School, West Springfield High School and Minnechaug Regional High School, with plans to visit Chicopee Comprehensive High School.
Mendrala said the organization also hosts a fund-raising walk in the fall, and participates in the annual American Foundation for Suicide Prevention walk in September.
“Eating disorders are serious psychological disorders that need treatment,” Mendrala said. “When they get on the road to treatment, full recovery can be achieved.”
Lisa’s Light of Hope is holding a fund-raiser at Chili’s restaurant in West Springfield on April 23. All day, visitors who stop by the Lisa’s Light of Hope table and pick up a coupon will have a portion of their bill donated to Lisa’s Light of Hope.
For more information, visit www.lisaslightofhope.com or find the organization on Facebook.