May’s Volunteer of the Month: Dorian Bannister

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May’s volunteer of the month is Dorian Bannister. For her, becoming a volunteer was a way to take the hope she found in AFTD during her own experience as an FTD caregiver, and share it with others. โ€œWhen I was lost and heartbroken, unaware of what was next, or how to care for my son (despite being an occupational therapist who specializes in geriatrics/dementia), as cliched as it may sound, AFTD was my light in the darkness,โ€ Dorian says. โ€œThe support, education, and information I received was so important to our family. I knew right away I had to share that with other families, caregivers, and medical professionals.โ€

Over the past eightย years, sheโ€™s done just that. Dorian leads a support group in Bangor, ME, providing a critical lifeline and resource to those in her local community who are affected by FTD. Sheโ€™s raised awareness through table settings, sharing her familyโ€™s experience with the disease, and advocating โ€“ at the State House and most recently by providing testimony at theย Externally Led Patient-Focused Drug Discoveryย meeting in March. Dorian also served as the New England Regional Coordinator, AFTDโ€™s former volunteer leadership role, for two years, working with and supporting AFTD volunteers throughout all six states.

Dorian shares that the most rewarding part of volunteering, is โ€œwhen I have someone walk up to me and say, โ€˜I heard you speak four years ago, and your story and the information you shared about FTD has stayed with me,โ€™ or when an FTD caregiver tells me, โ€˜Youโ€™ve made such a difference.โ€™ Edith Wharton said, โ€˜There are two ways of spreading light: to be the candle or the mirror that reflects it.โ€™ AFTD is the candle, and I am proud to be one of its mirrors.โ€

AFTD is immensely grateful to Dorian for raising FTD awareness and providing critical support to those in her community who have been touched by FTD. If youโ€™re interested in becoming a part of our national volunteer network, please visit our website and fill out our volunteer form to get started.

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