On June 6th 2011, Mark & Debbie Schantzer lost their 21 year old son to suicide. There were no signs, no warnings, and no answers. Nothing prepared them for this tragedy. Desmond’s death rocked the very core of their family’s existence and the pain they have known is beyond comprehension.
Sitting in grief is debilitating; working through grief is healing. This is the reason Mark, Debbie and their daughter Danielle joined with community partners to create the DES Foundation, a 501(c)(3) charity and to organize the Walk for D.E.S.
The Walk for D.E.S. raises funds to promote the awareness and prevention of suicide across Lancaster and York Counties.
Funds will be raised to:
Every 12.8 minutes someone in the United States dies by suicide. Nearly 1 million people make a suicide attempt every year. In Lancaster County, approximately 50 individuals take their lives by suicide each year. Beyond the numbers, the ripple effect of suicide is staggering when viewed in the context of pain, loss and suffering to those who are left behind.
Help us lift the stigma that surrounds suicide and mental illness. Help us save lives and restore hope through awareness, prevention, and intervention.
WALK FOR D.E.S. is one of many ways to:
If you're unable to attend one of our walks, you can still contribute! Simply click the donate button below to be taken to our online donation page. Our continued goal is to raise much needed funding to support the work of our dedicated partners that are committed to raising awareness about suicide and to prevent these tragedies.
You may also shop using Amazon Smile! By following the banner below, a portion of your Amazon purchases will go to support our foundation.
Walk For DES (COLOR Walk) - Suicide Prevention - (Detect, Early, Signs)
Video provided by: Prevent Suicide PA - Cedar Crest High School Catelynn Bortz, Hannah Siebert, Madison Yoder, Della Reed, William Earp, and Jacob Mensch
Mission Statement: The DES Foundation Inc is dedicated to promote Suicide Awareness and prevention across Lancaster County Pennsylvania. Its mission will provide resources and tools aimed at preventing suicide, as well as offering support to survivors of suicide.
Contact: info@thedesfoundation.org
Department of Psychiatry
We provide support, comfort, and understanding. There is also information on coping skills, used for daily living after the loss from a suicide, while keeping a safe and confidential environment. For we know each of our situations is unique, no loss is the same, but being around others who know and understand what one is going through after such a loss helps in the grieving process and in healing.
