Every Little Step…
When Dillon Deimler learned of his mother’s diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease, doctors weren’t sure what version of the disease Susan Banks had. As a child, Dillon remembers his mother losing her memory while still a young woman. After about 10 years spent living with the disease, Susan passed away in October, 2017. She was only 40 years old.
Dillon’s girlfriend, Biglerville High School student Faith Redding, realized the significant loss Dillon, his family and she had experienced losing Susan at such a young age. “Dillon and I decided to organize a walk and fundraiser to bring awareness of Alzheimer’s disease and raise money for the Memory Care Education fund at Cross Keys Village,” said Faith.
Memory Care education and resources are available at Cross Keys Village for those in the greater community who are suffering or care for someone suffering from Alzheimer’s disease or another related dementia. “We hope families can learn more about Alzheimer’s disease if their family member is diagnosed with it,” said Faith.
After planning for three months, Faith and Dillon held their walk last fall in Oakside Community Park in Biglerville. The walk and Alzheimer’s disease awareness event was called Walk for Susan. They organized sponsors, created logos for t-shirts and bracelets, and had about 50 participants, including many who knew and loved Susan. Walk for Susan raised $1,487 for the Memory Care Education fund at Cross Keys Village. “We plan on having it every year and hope more and more will attend.”