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