This month’s athlete of the month is Melissa Fisher, one of AFTD’s volunteer Ambassadors, who has been an especially active user of Charity Miles, an app that allows users to raise money for a designated organization as they exercise. Melissa tracks all of the ground she covers while running, biking, hiking, and walking; and has moved over 380 miles to date in support of AFTD’s mission!

Throughout the months of April and May, Melissa has taken to social media daily to share our Charity Miles partnership with her family and friends, asking them to join her in raising both awareness and funds for AFTD’s mission. She draws inspiration from everyone on the virtual AFTD-Team who has also signed up with Charity Miles, and is thankful to them for tracking their mileage for the cause. Through this experience Melissa is reminded that she is not alone on this journey.

Melissa gets active for AFTD in order to honor her father who was diagnosed with bvFTD in 2017. “Ever since we received a diagnosis for this terrible disease, I’ve vowed to raise awareness and funds for this organization that gives all of us hope and so much help. In addition, I believe that improving our brain health and reducing our risk of dementia is important for all of us, and my motto “train for the brain” is one I live out through my commitment to stay fit, eat well, and prioritize my mental health care. This disease impacts the entire family, and if it wasn’t for running and riding my bike, I don’t know how I would manage my depression and anxiety.”

Join Melissa and many others in designating AFTD as your charity of choice when downloading the Charity Miles app. Click here to learn more about how you can amplify your impact on the app through our ongoing partnership with Charity Miles.