The SHELBY Project was created in 2004 by the parents of Shelby Starner, to honor her memory. Kathy and Allan Benn run the small, non-profit organization from their home in Stroudsburg, Pennsylvania, in the northeastern United States.

Nineteen year old Shelby died just twenty-six months after her diagnosis of bulimia, while utilizing the marginal care the family was able to access.

After Shelby's death, her family decided to speak out about Shelby's suffering, the cultural climate that constantly promotes dieting, the general lack of knowledge they found among treatment providers and the general public, and the highly restrictive practices of the health insurance industry that functioned as barriers rather than gateways to the various health services necessary for recovery from eating disorders.

Kathy and Allan hope that by sharing Shelby's story, others will better understand that eating disorders are not a choice or a fad. Eating disorders are the mental illness with the most physical health consequences, and so, require coordinated treatment of the body and the mind. While knowledge of eating disorders is increasing, recovery and accessing quality care remains a battle. They contribute their voices and labor for that to change.
Request a presentation to learn more about eating disorders and the Shelby story.

Missions of the Project

The mission of The SHELBY Project is to:

• increase awareness, and understanding of eating disorders,
• dispelling myths and reducing the stigma often associated with mental illness,
• encourage early intervention which is proven to increase cure rates
• improve access to care

To bring knowledge to the community at large help loved ones get equipped to support the recovery of a sufferer.

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