Volunteers and the AFTD-Team
Over 20 years ago, Helen-Ann Comstock, a former FTD caregiver, founded AFTD to ensure no one faced this journey alone. Helping her to guide the organization through its early years was AFTD’s inaugural – and all-volunteer – Board of Directors.
Today, our national volunteer network is essential to driving our mission. Each AFTD volunteer is vital, helping to increase awareness, support others affected, educate healthcare professionals, advocate for treatments and access to high-quality care, and raise funds to sustain our work.
AFTD Volunteers
AFTD Ambassadors at their annual summit. To learn more about these volunteer leaders, visit theaftd.org/about-us/aftd-embaixadores.
Staff and Board members honored over 80 volunteers at our fourth annual Volunteer Appreciation Dinner.
AFTD Ambassador Sandra Gonzalez-Morett and volunteer Veronica Wolfe hosted a Meet & Greet in Jersey City, New Jersey. These informal events provide an opportunity to share stories, trade insights, and share hope.
Members of AFTD’s community participated in marathons, half-marathons, 5Ks, and more during the 2023-2024 AFTD-Team Race Season. The team raised funds and vital awareness by representing AFTD at races in New York City, Philadelphia, Dallas, Austin, Los Angeles, and Denver.
In fall 2023, we held our 11th annual Alimento para o pensamento campaign, supporting volunteers from 29 states (plus Canada and Japan) in educating their communities about FTD while fundraising to support our mission. Food for Thought 2023 raised the most funds in the history of the campaign!
Every February, Com amor highlights stories from care partners and caregivers, family members, and friends to show how love sustains people navigating an FTD diagnosis. Paying tribute to their loved ones, each story increases awareness of the lived experience of this disease while raising funds to drive our work.
Many volunteers also hosted Eventos Independentes, including golf tournaments, benefit dinners, bike rides, and other races outside the AFTD-Team Race Season schedule.
Fundraising Totals
Cindy’s Cakes, Food for Thought
Hannah McCarthy, Chicago Marathon
Anyong Family, Dallas Marathon
Hops for Hope
To learn more about how you can volunteer or fundraise to support AFTD’s mission, visit theaftd.org/get-involved/volunteers-network
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