Welcome to the Australian Frontotemporal Dementia Association (AFTDA)
We are a non-profit organisation dedicated to raising awareness and providing support to people living with frontotemporal dementia (FTD), either those with a diagnosis and their families, friends, and carers. FTD is a young-onset dementia, typically occurring between 45 and 65 years of age. Many thousands of Australians are thought to be suffering from this condition. To find out more about FTD, click here.
World FTD Awareness Week 2023
World FTD United invites you to join us in celebrating and supporting those whose lives have been touched by frontotemporal degeneration (FTD) this year, spanning from September 24th through to October 1st, 2023.
Whether you are an FTD-diagnosed person, family member, care partner, healthcare professional, or a friend, you are encouraged to add your individual perspective to the worldwide conversation.
If you wish to participate, head to our Events page to see each day’s activities as we give voice to those who wish to share their personal experiences with FTD and increase awareness on it.
Also, if you wish to donate to the cause, follow the link below to our secure payment page via Stripe. Any amount is welcomed and helps more than you know!
Sarah Patterson Raising Funds for the AFTDA
Hi there! I am trying to fundraise $600 to help Australian Frontotemporal Dementia Association. Please help me by making a donation through my page. It only takes a minute and any money you can give (no matter how large or small) will go a long way to helping me reach my target. Thank you, I really appreciate your support… Sarah.
Donate here.
Daisy Dumas Raising Funds for the AFTDA
I’m Daisy and I’m running a minimum of 42.2km each week leading up to the mighty Sydney Marathon on 17th September 2023. I’m running to end rare dementia. Every dollar from my fundraising mission will go towards The Australian Frontotemporal Dementia Association, finding a cure for and supporting those living with frontotemporal dementia (FTD), which ended my mother’s life in 2020. She started developing symptoms of dementia in her 50s. She was just 72 when she died. I live at risk of developing the same neurodegenerative disease at about the same age – and I’m 42. Running feels like the least I can do. I’m fitting my running in around my two young children and work as a journalist. My version of a marathon a week looks something like 10km one day, 28km another and 15km another (I usually end up running more than 50km a week). My training will mostly take me around Bondi and Sydney’s eastern suburbs, where I live on unceded Gadigal country. Follow me on Instagram @amarathonaweek and at www.amarathonaweek.com. Please sponsor me if you can. Your support means a huge deal to me and I thank you so, so much for every cent donated x Support Daisy by donating to her fundraising page! Donate here.
Frontier Carer Information Day 2023
Please join us in-person or online to hear updates and discussions about some of the latest findings from leading researchers in FTD and how these findings can help improve the quality of life of individuals with FTD and their loved ones.
Bruce Willis Diagnosed with Frontotemporal Dementia
On February 16, 2023 it was announced that American actor Bruce Willis had been diagnosed with Frontotemporal dementia. Willis’ family released a comprehensive and touching statement through the American FTD Association. In their statement, the Willis family thanked the public for their support, and highlighted the devastating impact that FTD can have, particularly when language difficulties are the main symptom, as is the case with Bruce Willis. They also wished to highlight that there is a need for more awareness and research of FTD so that others may not only understand but may also be helped through a diagnosis of FTD.
We are grateful to both Willis and his family for sharing this important news, as it will help to spread awareness about Frontotemporal dementia. We extend our support to the Willis family as they share this important news and continue in the journey with FTD.
The Willis family statement can be read here.
Professor Olivier Piguet of the Australian FTD Association was recently interviewed by Channel 10 on the diagnosis of Bruce Willis. Watch Prof Olivier comment on Bruce Willis’ diagnosis here.