AFTD’s Charity Miles Athlete of the Month for February is Dan Lyne from Washington! Dan uses the app in memory of his younger twin sisters, Cathy and Jeannette, who both died from FTD and ALS. Dan’s brother-in-law, AFTD Board Chair David Pfeifer and Cathy’s husband, recommended Charity Miles to him because of how often he walks and runs. Since downloading the app, Dan has completed over $5,000 miles!

“I run and walk every day—if you asked me who I am, I’d say a runner.”

As many FTD families know, Dan shared with us that the journey to diagnosis had uncertainty—but soon after they heard FTD, they found AFTD. Fast forward to today, alongside Dan supporting our mission on Charity Miles and David serving as the Chair of our Board of Directors, their other brother-in-law Doug, Jeannette’s husband, has been involved by attending AFTD events and hosting fundraisers to benefit our mission.

We asked Dan what his goals for the future of an FTD journey is, and he said, “I want to see continued research for cures and even something that would stop the progression of the disease at diagnosis.” Dan shared that he appreciates the work that AFTD does to help make this future a reality and he would like to see AFTD continue to offer resources for FTD families, especially to help navigate the financial impact a diagnosis can have.

 “You’re going to need money for caregivers, for mental health help, making money available for families is critical,” shares Dan.

AFTD would like to thank Dan and everyone that walks, runs, or bikes in support of our mission Charity Miles. You too can turn your workouts into awareness of FTD and dollars for AFTD by downloading the Charity Miles app, recruiting friends to donate, and work out as you normally do.

For more information on AFTD’s Comstock Quality of Life Grants and available resources to FTD families, please visit our Support for People with FTD page on our website.