It is Eating Disorders Awareness Week. A week in which organizations attempt to “raise awareness.” Presentations are made. The microscopically small niche on social media occupied by eating disorder advocates spout their messages using rote, familiar language while ignoring the most alarming statistic.
It is far easier to refine language than to examine outcomes. But outcomes are how we are judged. Outcomes determine our humanity. Our soul. Our fight for survival. And nowhere was this more apparent than in the incredible journey of Kaila Blackburn.
Everything I know about Kaila Blackburn I got from her strong, resilient, incredible mother, Debi and father, Tom. And what I read on social media.
Kaila was born on June 13, 1994, in Virginia, and on September 27, 2025, eating disorders took her life. Eating disorders took her from her family and her loving parents. But while she was with us, how she graced us with her strength.
Kaila was a natural student and athlete. She swam, dove, played softball, and ran with such breathtaking speed and grace that she earned the nickname “Flash.” Her dedication and talent carried her to Virginia Tech, where she proudly competed as a Division I runner.
From what I read, Kaila’s faith was the foundation of her life. From an early age, Kaila loved Jesus, and through her 31 years she remained steadfast, often teaching others through her wisdom and grace. Even in her hardest battles, she clung to her Savior with courage and unwavering trust.
Kaila’s parents wrote this about her, “We will not say that Kaila is “resting in peace.” Instead, we proclaim that she is Running in Paradise—whole, free, and forever embraced by the love of her Savior. That is exactly what Kaila would have wanted.”
I did not know Kaila. I never had the chance to meet her. But, I do take comfort knowing that my Morgan is probably showing her the ins and outs of the next plain of existence. And they are smiling, laughing and at peace.
This week, a Virginia television station did a story on Kaila. It can be found here:
My heart goes out to Debi and Tom and her family. We belong to a horrific club that no parent should ever have to join.
Maybe this week, eating disorder awareness week, we should take just a moment, close our eyes, remember and honor those who have been taken. And in that moment of silence, perhaps we should reflect upon what our priorities should be going into the future.
As a parent who had a loving child taken by eating disorders, I hope and pray every day that Morgan’s life, that Kaila’s life, and the lives of many others, were not extinguished in vain. That perhaps the memory of them will inspire us all to do better. To set aside our petty differences. To pledge to strive forward together … with intelligence, wisdom, grace and collaboration.
So that in the future, there will be fewer Morgans and Kailas and Kellys and many others.
We parents remember. We mourn. We grieve. And yet, we continue to hope. And we continue to love.
And love should be the overriding message of awareness week.
A DAD'S JOURNEY WITH EATING DISORDERS 