I hope that this finds you and your loved ones safe and connected in these challenging times.

I became AFTD’s Board Chair in April. I’m writing to introduce myself, and to share part of my story.

I’m an architect. I live in Denver, Colorado, where I’ve been working remotely this spring. I’m father to three kids: two in college, one in high school. These months have brought us back under one roof, and it’s been wonderful to spend so much time with them here at home.

It’s an unfortunate reality that people can suffer today from both FTD and ALS. We lost both my wife Cathy and my sister-in-law Jeanette Ekstrand to these terrible conditions. Cathy was diagnosed with ALS/FTD in fall 2014, after years experiencing unusual symptoms related to communication and behavior. She passed away in December 2016, and my sister-in-law Jeanette passed away in April 2019. Both were mothers of three children.

When my wife was diagnosed, I was fortunate to discover AFTD. The people I met helped when we needed it most, and I learned about resources for families going through this incredibly challenging journey.

In AFTD I found a passionate group of Board members, staff, volunteers, and donors working toward a common purpose: We envision a world with compassionate care, effective support, and a future free of FTD.

The struggle to end FTD isn’t the fight we would’ve chosen. A pandemic has only made it harder. But your courage, grace, and determination bring me hope – along with a great sense of responsibility taking on stewardship of this organization. I promise to bring my all to this.

During a challenging time, AFTD’s work is only possible with support from our donors. If you have the means, I hope you’ll join me in supporting this vital organization. Gifts that are unrestricted or targeted to Support or Research can bring AFTD’s impact to more people across the country. It has never been needed more.

My family has been through a lot, and the challenges that may yet lie ahead are profound. But I know we can overcome them together, if we bring our collective resolve to the effort.

Sincerely,

David Pfeifer
AFTD Board Chair