October’s Volunteer of the Month: Kathy Urban

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October’s volunteer of the month is Kathy Urban. Kathy’s mom was diagnosed with bvFTD in 2009, and the journey that followed left Kathy feeling alone and overwhelmed. Shortly after her mom passed away, Kathy stumbled across the volunteer form on AFTD’s website, and a new network of hope and connection opened to her. “I had never really done much volunteering before but felt a strong desire to encourage others and help them access the education and support that I didn’t have available to me.”

Kathy started writing volunteer profiles for the AFTD newsletter, which provided opportunities to connect with others who were impacted by FTD. “I was so excited to talk with other volunteers and connect with them through the common threads in our stories,” she explains. Kathy went on to build even more connections in the volunteer community as a Regional Coordinator. During her three years as a volunteer leader, Kathy brought volunteers together to help advance AFTD’s mission in the southwest region of the country.

When asked why she volunteers for AFTD, Kathy had this to say: “Connecting with other people who have been touched by FTD feels like finding long lost friends who truly understand the unique experience and loss. This disease can be so isolating, but finding a community where others understand has been such a gift—even after losing my mom.”

Kathy continues to connect with new volunteers by welcoming them into the AFTD community through her role as an Orientation Facilitator. AFTD wishes to express our gratitude to Kathy for her seven years of volunteer service, spent building and strengthening connections with our volunteers.

If you’re interested in becoming a part of our national volunteer network, please visit our website to learn more, and fill out our volunteer form to get connected with a Volunteer Coordinator.

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