Headquartered in Chicago, Illinois, ANAD is a non-profit organization working in the areas of support, awareness, advocacy, referral, education, and prevention.
When a family member was diagnosed with anorexia nervosa, Vivian was unable to find any information or resources on eating disorders.
"[citation needed] Meehan decided to do something simple to see if the experts were right: she placed a small classified ad in a local newspaper looking for others who were searching for information about anorexia nervosa.
She opened up her home and her heart and launched the first helpline and referral service in the nation for anorexia nervosa and associated eating disorders.
[1] ANAD is the leading nonprofit in the U.S. that provides free, peer support services to anyone struggling with an eating disorder, regardless of age, race, gender identity, sexual orientation, or background.