Guess who’s turning another year older? 🌊

On July 11th, SEA WAVES is proudly celebrating another year of shining a light on eating disorders in the military community. It’s a moment to look back at how far we’ve come — and look forward to all the lives we’ll keep reaching with your support.

💙 A note from our founder

“This birthday isn’t just a milestone for SEA WAVES — it’s a reminder of every service member, veteran, or family member who found hope instead of silence, compassion instead of judgment, and care instead of barriers.

My dream is that we keep shining a light so no one ever feels alone in this fight. Thank you for helping us make that possible.”

— Leah Stiles, Navy Senior Chief (Ret) & Founder of SEA WAVES

🥳 11 reasons we’re celebrating — and inviting you to join us!

In honor of our birthday on 7/11, we’re sharing 11 reasons SEA WAVES matters — and why your support makes all the difference.

🎖️ 1. Out of 45,000+ veteran organizations, we’re the only one solely focused on eating disorders.

That’s right. Out of over 45,000 veteran service organizations in the U.S., SEA WAVES is the only nonprofit dedicated exclusively to addressing eating disorders in the military and veteran community.

That’s how overlooked this issue has been — and why we’re here.

🏛️ 2. We’re Pentagon-approved and trusted by national partners.

SEA WAVES is proudly listed with Military OneSource and the Wounded Warrior Project, meaning we’ve earned trust at the highest levels.

Families, service members, and leaders know they can turn to us for safe, expert support.

🌊 3. Our name stands for everything we do.

S.E.A.W.A.V.E.S. isn’t just a clever acronym.

It means:

Support. Education. Awareness. Wellness. Advocacy. Validation for Eating Disorders & Self-Care.

Each letter is a pillar we stand on — and a promise we keep.

⚓ 4. We’re founded by the military, for the military.

SEA WAVES was started by a retired Navy Senior Chief who served over 20 years.

We understand the weight standards, readiness pressures, career fears, and culture that too often normalize silent suffering. That’s why everything we do is built by the military, for the military.

🌟 5. We train leaders and providers to save lives.

Through our MEDAL program, we equip military leaders, healthcare providers, and veteran organizations to recognize eating disorders before it’s too late.

Because spotting the silent signs early doesn’t just change lives — it saves them.

💡 6. We shine a light on suicide prevention through connection.

Our Lighthouse Project centers on suicide prevention, peer support, and self-care.

Because healing thrives in connection — and talking openly about mental health can stop tragedies before they ever begin.

📢 7. We fight for policies that change lives.

We championed the SERVE Act, expanding TRICARE coverage for inpatient eating disorder treatment and requiring leadership education.

And we keep meeting with lawmakers and Pentagon leaders to ensure these aren’t just words on paper, but real policies that save lives.

📈 8. We fill a critical gap in military mental health.

Eating disorders are often left out of traditional veteran care. SEA WAVES steps in to change that — making sure this isn’t treated as a side issue, but as the serious mental health crisis it truly is.

🏥 9. Because 90% never get treatment — and military families face even more barriers.

It’s heartbreaking: 90% of people with eating disorders never receive treatment.

For military families, that’s compounded by stigma, fear of career consequences, and hard-to-navigate healthcare systems.

We’re working every day to change that.

🤝 10. We connect people to life-saving support.

No one should have to face an eating disorder alone.

We guide service members, veterans, and families to trusted resources, specialized providers, and peer support networks that understand the unique military experience.

“SEA WAVES helped me find care I didn’t think existed — and reminded me I wasn’t broken, I was just hurting.”

💌 11. Every dollar makes a difference — especially yours.

Your generosity directly fuels programs that educate, advocate, and build community.

It ensures a veteran finds a safe provider. It trains a command to spot early warning signs. It funds data and research that finally validates lived experiences.

🎂 Give $11 for 7/11 — and help us keep making waves

This birthday, we’re asking our incredible community to celebrate with us by committing to $11 a month.

✅ Why $11?

Because it honors July 11th — our birthday — and it’s an amount that adds up to big change.

Your $11/month might be just two lattes — but it fuels training that saves lives, advocacy that drives national change, and a community where no service member or veteran ever has to wonder if they’re worthy of help.

💫 Imagine the impact if 100 people step up.

That’s hundreds of new leaders trained, more families connected to specialized care, more stories told that break stigma, and more lives saved.

👉 Join our birthday campaign today by pledging $11/month on GiveButter.

Because need a light? Be a light. Together, we’re building a military community where eating disorders are finally seen, understood, and treated with the compassion they deserve.