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.


Past News and Events

Dementia Awareness Week 2022

19 – 25 September 2022

Dementia Action Week 2022 held from 19 – 25 September 2022, which includes World Alzheimer’s Day on Wednesday 21 September 2022.

 

Find out more about the ‘A little support makes a big difference’ campaign and how you can get involved.


FTD Awareness Week 2022

26 September - 2 October 2022

SEMINAR:
FRONTIER FTD INFORMATION DAY
9.30: Tea & coffee

10.00: Welcome

Mirelle D’Mello

10.15: Lived experience of FTD

Ms Gina Llanes

10.45: Introduction & clinical progression in FTD

Prof Olivier Piguet (Director of FRONTIER, The University of Sydney)

11.15: Historical developments & research in FTD/PPA

Dr Cristian Leyton Moscoso (Postdoctoral Fellow, The University of Sydney)

11.45: Apathy and anhedonia in FTD

Dr Kristina Horne (Postdoctoral Research Associate, MIND Lab - The University of Sydney)

12.15: Lunch

13.00: Beyond the language disorder of PPA: cognition, mood, and activities of daily living

Dr David Foxe (Clinical Neuropsychologist, The University of Sydney)

13.30: Neuroimaging in FTD

Dr Ramon Landin-Romero (NHMRC Research Fellow and Senior Lecturer, The University of Sydney)

14.00: The FTD caregiver experience

Mirelle D’Mello (Psychologist, The University of Sydney)

14.30: Close

28 September 2022

9:30am – 2:30pm

 

M02F – Level 5 Lecture Theatre

Brain & Mind Centre

94 Mallet Street Camperdown 2050

 

Scan the QR code to register:

Please note, spaces for in-person attendance are limited.

 

Food and drinks will be provided

 

FRONTIER Research1

100 Mallet Street, Brain & Mind Centre, The University of Sydney, Camperdown NSW 2050

(02)  9114 4336 | [email protected] | https://frontierftd.org/


World FTD Awareness Week 2022

26 September - 2 October 2022

 

World FTD United-- The Journey to Diagnosis

Stay tuned for more – and get ready to share your own diagnosis story.
You can bring help, support, and understanding to families around the globe.
Visit WorldFTDUnited.net in the leadup to learn more.

Julane is hosting a Cuppa to raise funds to support people with dementia.

But she needs your help! Please make a donation to support her efforts and help her reach my goal to beat dementia.

All funds raised will support the work of Dementia Australia to provide vital support services for people living with dementia, their families and carers. These services include counselling, support groups, education and training.

Thank you for your support.

SEMINAR: FRONTIER FTD INFORMATION DAY 28 September 2022

World FTD Awareness Week - 27th September to 4th October 2020

In an effort convened by World FTD United, presenters from around the globe will mark World FTD Awareness Week by sharing information, helpful resources and updates on FTD through a free, daylong event.  The 2020 World FTD Marathon will feature online presentations from around the world, run by teams in Australia, Europe, and North and South America.

The presentations will be geared to families living with FTD, carers and health professionals who want to learn about FTD.

The Marathon kicks off in Australia at 10am on 3rd October.

You obtain more information and register for the 2020 World FTD Marathon at:  www.worldftdunited.net



Australia's biggest FTD research centre - FRONTIER - are holding their annual FTD Information and Support Day for Families and Carers on Tuesday October 31st 2017. This event will be held at the Brain and Mind Centre at the University of Sydney - Level 5, 94 Mallett Street, Camperdown, NSW. The day kicks off at 10am and finishes around 3.30pm. This is a not-to-be-missed opportunity to hear about cutting edge research and initiatives to support people affected by FTD. Click here to register.



World FTD Awareness Week 2017 is over for another year. It was held from September 24 to October 1, 2017 - it is never too late to get involved and raise awareness in your community! The World FTD United group have worked hard to plan this year's campaign theme: Think it's Alzheimer's? Think Again.

To close out FTD Awareness Week, an important paper was published in the journal Neurology about the cost of FTD compared to Alzheimer's. See the American FTD association website here for more information and a link to the original paper. Check out this handy, easy-to-share infographic. This paper highlights what many of us already know - the cost of FTD is twice that of Alzheimer's and yet this is not reflected in our public policy or service sectors. This highlights the message of Awareness Week: not all dementia is Alzheimer's, and the most common form of dementia for those under 60 is, in fact, FTD. 

In March 2017, the FTD Registry was launched. To find out more information, see Research.

Greg Kelly is a 60 year old man with FTD. He is riding his Harley Davidson across Australia, New Zealand, and the USA starting August 12th to raise awareness for younger-onset dementia. Find out more about this remarkable feat and how to donate to his cause via his Facebook page, or check out this media release, or his Prospectus for sponsorship.

He has been doing an incredible job raising awareness through his media appearances. Check out the following links:

  • Click here to listen to a radio interview he did on a Gold Coast station 1029 Hot Tomato
  • Click here to see Kell on My Gold Coast
  • Click here for his interview on Logan's 101 FM.
  • Click here for his interview on Channel 7's The Daily Edition
  • Click here for Kell's interview on ABD Radio's Evenings with Chris Bath [go to 1:01:58]
  • Click here to read an article in The Canberra Times about his trip to the nation's capital
  • Click here to hear his interview on 96five Afternoons
  • Click here to hear his live cross from the road
  • Click here to read about his journey in The Examiner

Kell has even got his own anthem, performed by Matt McLaren featuring Alex Straker. You can buy it here with all proceeds going to Kell's fundraising efforts!

And last but not least, there is a documentary being made about Kell - check out the full version here and share it with your friends!

We are proud supporters of Kell in his journey to raise awareness and funds for FTD and other types of dementia!

The 11th International Conference for Frontotemporal Dementias will be held in Sydney in 2018! AFTDA is proud to be part of the organising committee. The conference will be help from the 11 to 14th of November 2018 at the International Convention Centre in Sydney. For more information, please download the flyer and visit the conference website. You can also follow the Twitter page for updates!



The 10th International Conference for Frontotemporal Dementias was held from August 31, 2016 to September 2, 2016 in Munich, Germany. We hosted information sessions to provide updates from the conference. Please contact us for more details. 


Find out more about FTD in the media:


The three of us: a tale of a dedicated caregiver, her husband with dementia, and her new partner. Read about it here or listen to the full program here on ABC Radio National


Is it our relationship or is it something more? Listen to caregivers describe the effect of FTD on marriage - thanks to ABC Radio National


'It breaks your heart': a family's struggle with early-onset dementia - from the ABC


Why some dementia patients lack empathy - from the Sydney Morning Herald



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