AFTD staff and advocates, including Emma Heming Willis, traveled to Sacramento on August 18 to celebrate California’s official recognition of FTD Awareness Week 2025.

This is California’s second consecutive year passing a resolution to mark FTD Awareness Week. It joins 19 other states that have passed FTD Awareness Week resolutions and/or proclamations.

Last year, a total of 33 states, towns and cities officially recognized the annual campaign, which aims to shed light on FTD and the impact it has on persons diagnosed, care partners, families, and public services across the country.

“FTD robs people of their best years and places enormous strain on caregivers and families,” said Mrs. Willis, wife of actor Bruce Willis, who is living with an FTD diagnosis. “[The resolution is] the result of tireless work by advocates, AFTD, and leaders who believe in the power of awareness to drive change.”

Resolutions are official expressions of opinion adopted by a legislative body. Along with proclamations, resolutions are a tool that FTD advocates can use to raise greater awareness of FTD in their states and communities.

State Senator Roger Niello introduced the resolution and recognized Mrs. Willis, AFTD Ambassador Terry Walter, and their families while presenting it on the Senate floor.

“This resolution is a powerful step toward the awareness and policy change needed for this devastating, underdiagnosed disease,” said Meghan Buzby, AFTD’s Director of Advocacy and Volunteer Engagement. “In California, the voices of families and individuals living with FTD are resonating louder than ever — and we will continue pushing for action from the Governor and policymakers to ensure those voices drive meaningful change.”

AFTD is working to empower volunteers and advocates to achieve passage of resolutions or proclamations in all 50 states. An advocacy toolkit is available to help anyone join Mrs. Willis in building awareness of the significant unmet needs of families living with FTD: access to quality dementia care, policies that are friendlier to unpaid caregivers, and a deeper public investment into disease-modifying treatments.

Mrs. Willis has been a highly active FTD advocate since she and her family announced her husband’s FTD diagnosis on AFTD’s website in February 2023. She appeared on an ABC News special, Emma & Bruce Willis: The Unexpected Journey, on Tuesday, Aug. 26. That program is available to stream on Hulu and Disney+.