The arts have the power to share emotion, stir conversation, and bring people together. That’s why - on this World FTD Awareness Week - I’m excited to share that I am an Arts Host Committee member for AFTD’s FTD in the Arts exhibition at Christie’s in Los Angeles on January 21, 2026. This special event highlights art created by persons with FTD or the people that love them.

AFTD introduced the FTD in the Arts Exhibit at the 2024 Education Conference. In the first year, 58 people shared 99 pieces – including photography, paintings, drawings, music compositions, poetry, and jewelry. The response was so enthusiastic that AFTD decided to curate a big gallery exhibition in LA. As part of the experience, AFTD will also share information about their programs and services that support people impacted by a diagnosis and help to accelerate research.

As I've shared before, FTD affected our family when my dad was diagnosed with bvFTD/ALS in 2015. I am deeply dedicated to increasing awareness and supporting those living with a diagnosis by amplifying their voices and celebrating their art. I invite anyone who feels that their budget and schedule allows them to please join us in LA on January 21, 2026, for this creative and meaningful event!

To learn more about FTD and AFTD, visit theaftd.org.

A little bit about FTD - frontotemporal dementia:

• FTD affects approx. 60,000 Americans (representing about 10% of all dementia cases)
  
• FTD causes a gradual, progressive decline in behavior and/or language (with memory usually relatively preserved), making it increasingly difficult for people to plan or organize activities, behave appropriately in social or work settings, interact with others, and care for oneself
  
• Onset of FTD often occurs in people's 50s, and thus can affect work and family in a way dementia in older patients does not (and confuse doctors, who see patients as "too young" for dementia)
• Annual cost of care for patients diagnosed with FTD are approx. $135,000, compared to estimated $60,000 for patients with Alzheimer's
• Currently there are no treatments to slow or stop the progression of FTD

#endFTD