Lewy Body Dementia is a progressive neurological illness affecting an estimated 1.4 million people in the United States and has been described as the most common disease no one has ever heard of. Lewy Body Dementia is on the Parkinson's spectrum of illnesses resulting from abnormalities in how the brain processes the protein alpha-synuclein leading to abnormal buildups of proteins which are called Lewy bodies. Medical researchers are learning more about the disease and among other criteria have identified some increased risk for farmers.
W.K. (Bill) Deal was a farmer who developed Lewy Body Dementia and participated in LBD research studies at Mayo Clinic for 15 years. In his memory, a Let's Beat Lewy event will be held on June 3rd in conjunction with the Guthrie County Arts Council's "Art in the Village" at the Guthrie County Historical Village. The purpose of the Let's Beat Lewy event is to increase awareness about the disease and raise funds for research to learn more about Lewy Body Dementia.
The Let's Beat Lewy event kicks off with a community bicycle ride beginning at 9 AM from the Guthrie County Historical Village. Bicyclists will follow the Raccoon River Valley Trail (RRVT) from Panora to Yale and Jamaica before returning to Panora. The music group Redeemed and Free will be performing in Yale where bicyclists can take a break to enjoy the music and get a snack before pedaling on to Jamaica or returning to Panora. In Jamaica, To Jo’s Bar & Grill will have a special for the Let’s Beat Lewy event. Registering for the Let's Beat Lewy bike ride will include a Lewy Body Dementia wristband to take advantage of the special at To Jo’s and the snack in Yale as well as a lunch ticket for the GCAC's booth at "Art in the Village" and a donation to the WK Deal Fund for LBD Research at Mayo Clinic.
Bicyclists and non-bicyclists are encouraged to enjoy the wonderful live music at "Art in the Village" as well as browse and shop the artist booths set up at the Guthrie County Historical Village. The Let’s Beat Lewy event will include homemade ice cream available for purchase from 1-3 PM on the grounds of the Guthrie County Historical Village (206 W. South Street, Panora).
The Let’s Beat Lewy event is sponsored by the Panora Lions Club. Bill Deal was a 50+ member of Lions Club and this event is sponsored in his memory.