The Elisa Project announces Golden Globe-nominated actress Chrissy Metz, star of the critically acclaimed hit NBC series This is Us, as the featured speaker for the 13th annual Life Lessons Luncheon.
Kim Bannister will chair the annual fundraiser, being held on Wednesday, February 28, 2018 at Brook Hollow Golf Club, including a reception, seated luncheon and a conversation with Metz, moderated by Kimberly Schlegel Whitman, editor-at-large, Southern Living, author and lifestyle expert. Sandra Estes and Elizabeth Hughes will serve as this year’s honorary chairs.
“We are absolutely thrilled to announce Chrissy Metz as the featured speaker for this year’s Life Lessons Luncheon benefiting The Elisa Project,” remarked Kim Bannister, luncheon chair. “As an organization dedicated to the development of healthy children and adolescents by raising awareness of body image and self-esteem issues and the prevention of life-threatening eating disorders, we know Chrissy will truly captivate attendees as she shares her own inspirational stories of courage and self-acceptance. This year’s luncheon is not to be missed!”
Chrissy Metz stars on the critically acclaimed hit NBC series This Is Us" which has been renewed for two additional seasons. Chrissy plays Kate, a woman struggling with her weight, eating habits, and body image. ET named her as one of six "breakout stars you will fall in love with this fall." People magazine named her to the "One's to Watch." This is Us also stars Mandy Moore, Milo Ventimiglia, Justin Hartley, and Emmy winner Sterling K. Brown. This Is Us received nominations from The Critics Choice Awards, AFI, NAACP, and won the People's Choice Award for "Favorite New TV Drama." Chrissy is best known for her roles in American Horror Story: Freak Show, Loveless in Los Angeles, Solving Charlie, My Name is Earl, and Entourage, to name a few.
Metz is from Homestead, Florida. The middle child of five siblings, she took the spotlight as the “entertaining diplomat” of the family. She moved to Japan as an infant and lived there for nine years before moving back to the States, speaking Japanese before she spoke English. After being discovered in Gainesville, Florida at a local talent event that she originally attended as a chaperone for her sister, she packed up and moved to Los Angeles to find her way into entertainment.
The 13th annual Life Lessons Luncheon will be held on February 28, 2018 at 11:30 a.m. at Brook Hollow Golf Club. The event will include a wine reception followed by a seated luncheon and a conversation with Ms. Metz moderated by Kimberly Schlegel Whitman. Tables begin at $2,000 and are on sale now; individual tickets will go on sale in early February if space permits. For more information, visit http://theelisaproject.org/events/life-lessons/.
About The Elisa Project
The Elisa Project (TEP) was founded in 1999, by Rick and Leslie McCall, in memory of their daughter Elisa who lost her life to an eating disorder. TEP is dedicated to fighting eating disorder illnesses through awareness education, support and advocacy. Eating disorders affect more than 30 million children and adults in the U.S. and are devastating to families and those who suffer. These disorders present complex mental and physical health issues and have the highest mortality rate of any mental illness – up to 20%. They don’t discriminate, but affect both males and females of all ages, races, ethnicities and socio-economic backgrounds. When we consider the life-threatening physical and psychological impacts of eating disorders, it’s vital that we continue to expand our prevention and intervention efforts and to improve access to treatment. If you or someone you know is suffering from an eating disorder, call The Elisa Project at 866-837-1999 to access the care and help you deserve.