Pollack “Polly” Williams, age 33, one of the main women followed in the documentary Thin died Friday, February 8, 2008, at her residence. The cause is currently unknown.
Thin a documentary by photographer Lauren Greenfield was an intimate look at the lives of four young women as they went through treatment at the Renfrew Center Eating Disorder Clinic. The film was a graphic and heart retching view at the experience of these women, and the other women in the clinic.
Polly Williams, one of the most renowned women in the show spent her 30th birthday at the Renfrew Center. She was suffering from anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa and had attempted suicide prior to her admission.
Throughout the film, Polly’s struggles are documented. The documentary, Thin, allowed the public a glimpse at the struggles that so many women and men are plagued with. Polly’s determination and attitude made her one of the most memorible individuals in the film.
Although, treated at the Renfrew Center for nearly three months, her insurance company had pulled out when her physical complications were more “stable.” She was also a lobbyist for the National Eating Disorders Association and was trying to bring more awareness to the fact that an eating disorder is not merely cured when the physical aspects have been treated. She lobbied to increase insurance coverage and further government support.
“Without treatment, up to twenty percent (20%) of people with serious eating disorders die. With treatment, that number falls to two to three percent (2-3%). In 2005, Dr. Wright of the Eating Disorders Program at Presbyterian Hospital in Dallas, Texas indicated that the mortality rate for untreated anorexia nervosa may be even higher, up to 25 percent.
With treatment, about sixty percent (60%) of people with eating disorders recover. In spite of treatment, about twenty percent (20%) of people with eating disorders make only partial recoveries. ”
The statistics are staggering and Polly gave the world a glimpse of her private struggle with her eating disorder and the battles she had to endure regarding insurance coverage and recovery.
Polly documented many of her struggles and thoughts on her website Caring Bridge
Her obituary can be seen at the Johnson City Press.
For more information on the recent death and general eating disorders please see:
Lauren Greenfield, Thin
Renfrew Center
National Eating Disorder Association
Eating Disorder Coalition
