Tara Leifer and Ross Clevens both know what it’s like to lose a parent to dementia, so on their wedding day they decided to mark the occasion by making a difference.

The couple married in October, and in lieu of gifts, asked guests to support charities close to their hearts. That included a request to support AFTD’s mission with donations in memory of Tara’s father, who died of FTD seven years ago.

Ross, who also lost his mother to dementia, felt that asking for donations rather than gifts was an important way to remember their parents. “Giving back has always been very important to us, so it seemed like the natural thing to do,” he said.

Contributions from the wedding totaled more than $6,000 in gifts to support AFTD’s work. Tara hopes their efforts will help to raise FTD awareness – and hasten a future free of the disease.

“My father’s life was robbed by FTD and he wasn’t at my wedding because of that,” Tara said. “…I don’t want this to happen to anyone else. I want a cure…”

Tara and Ross chose to support AFTD’s mission. This Giving Tuesday, you can too, by making a donation that will bring help and hope to families facing FTD.