A mother whose daughter suffered from anorexia has organized an event to raise money toward the treatment of eating disorders.

Katrina Gleba is only 12 years old, but she?s already been hospitalized for anorexia. Her mother Anita says Katrina stopped eating and her weight plummeted to 48 pounds.

?It was very traumatizing for my family and my friends and Katrina,? Anita says.

Katrina says she thinks family problems sparked the disease. ?When my grandpa died, I was really attached to him,? she says. ?Then my mom and dad got divorced, so that was a hard thing for me.?

Katrina spent seven weeks in the hospital with a feeding tube to help her get healthy again.

Anita organized a hair cutting event at the Parisian Beauty Academy in Hackensack to raise money toward the treatment of eating disorders. She doesn?t think her daughter?s anorexia was driven by body image, but she does think many girls compare themselves to images they see in magazines.

The Glebas hope speaking about Katrina?s disorder will help other young people suffering from the same problems.

National Eating Disorders Association