In recent weeks, AFTD volunteers have successfully lobbied legislators to declare September 22-29, 2024, as FTD Awareness Week in Maryland, Ohio, Oklahoma, Tennessee, and West Virginia. 

They join New York, California, and Delaware, bringing the total of states recognizing FTD Awareness Week 2024 to eight. 

Additionally, AFTD advocates have petitioned lawmakers in at least 17 other states to establish a proclamation and/or a resolution establishing FTD Awareness Week for later this year. AFTD thanks all our volunteers who have dedicated their time to pushing for these important FTD awareness initiatives. 

There Is More to Do

AFTD’s community is all too familiar with the struggles and isolation that come from the lack of broad FTD awareness – by the medical community, the public, and our elected officials. Resolutions and proclamations for FTD Awareness Week help raise visibility, and they foster working relationships with local and state officials. Once established, these relationships can help AFTD contribute to shaping public policies — to improve care, expand supports and resources, broaden respite services, and fund research for treatments and a cure. 

AFTD’s Advocacy Action Center includes a map showing which states have passed either a resolution or proclamation recognizing FTD Awareness Week, as well as those in which such measures are in progress. If your state is not represented on the map, you can become an advocate and help AFTD’s mission. Simply download our Proclamation Toolkit and our Resolution Toolkit to learn how to get started.  

 For additional information on passing resolutions or proclamations, be sure to watch AFTD’s most recent Advocacy Webinar, Advocate for Awareness: Working with Lawmakers to Highlight FTD. AFTD’s advocacy team explains how to work with lawmakers to pass a resolution or proclamation, and AFTD Ambassador Debbie Elkins discusses how she successfully lobbied the legislature in her home state of West Virginia to recognize FTD Awareness Week.  

 FTD is a complex disease with emotional and practical challenges that can be as isolating as they are overwhelming. Finding a support group can provide you with a safe space to share your thoughts with others who understand and trade resources for the journey ahead. AFTD’s HelpLine can answer any questions you have about FTD and support you; contact the HelpLine at 1-866-507-7222 or info@theaftd.org.