Help Olivia Beat Anorexia

Our Sister Olivia, 13 was diagnosed with anorexia nervosa earlier this year. From January to April, Olivia has been hospitalised four times because of rapid weight loss, a weak heart and low pulse rate.

Not many people understand anorexia nervosa; it is a chronic and debilitating condition which doesn't respond well to most known treatments. It has a high death rate of about 25%.

We have seen Olivia’s condition deteriorate quickly over the last few months to the point where she mostly refuses food other than liquid supplements.

The disorder has affected the entire family especially our Mum and Dad and is taking it’s toll through the stress of seeing a loved one deteriorate physically and mentally.

There is a treatment named Mandometer which is currently only available in Sweden. This method has a 90% success rate. With effective treatment comes great costs and on average the time spent recovering can be between six to twelve months with a cost of $300,000- $400,000.

As a family we have exhausted all other options for any local treatments available in New Zealand and Australia and have therefore had to look worldwide. We feel that the severity of Olivia’s condition is serious and are faced with the only option left, sending Olivia and her Mum to Sweden.