Planning for Hope = The Documentary

HELP GIVE HOPE A FIGHTING CHANCE
Your generous support and donations are needed to help make this important film a reality and bring to light the often misdiagnosed – and misunderstood – disease of frontotemporal dementia (FTD.)

■ THE FILM
Planning for Hope will be a 1-hour documentary featuring the stories of patients in different stages of battling FTD, with a focus on educating both healthcare professionals and the general public about recognizing and treating FTD. Major sponsorship is provided by the Academy of Molecular Imaging, a central supporter of medical imaging technologies such as PET brain scans, one of the most crucial tools for detection of FTD.

■ MORE ABOUT FTD
Frontotemporal dementia (frontotemporal lobar degeneration) is an umbrella term for a diverse group of disorders that primarily affect the frontal and temporal lobes of the brain — the areas generally associated with personality, behavior and language.

In FTD, portions of these lobes atrophy, or shrink. Signs and symptoms vary, depending upon the portion of the brain affected. Some people with FTD undergo dramatic changes in their personality and become socially inappropriate, impulsive or emotionally blunted, while others lose the ability to use and understand language. Patients taking medications for anxiety or depression may not show the behavioral symptoms associated with FTD, making it even harder to diagnose. Sometimes the earliest signs can be as simple as a change in personality or thought processes … or the simple feeling that something isn’t quite right.

FTD is often misdiagnosed as a psychiatric problem or as Alzheimer's disease, but tends to occur at a younger age than Alzheimer's.

■ HOW YOU CAN HELP
Donations are needed to help complete the final stages of film production and cover distribution and promotion expenses. Your tax-deductible gift will help make a difference for future generations, and all contributions will be gratefully acknowledged in the film credits.

■ TO DONATE
Please make donations payable to SonShine Mountain Retreat, Inc. (along with a note that the donation is for the Planning for Hope project) and mail to:
SonShine Mountain Retreat, Inc.
2425 Highway 9, Black Mountain, NC 28711

Planning For Hope - The Film about FTD

Film company IMS Productions from Colorado Springs is currently working on a documentary “Planning For Hope”. The producers Susan Grant and Cindy Dilks are on a mission of hope in their own right.

At 53 years old, Susan was diagnosed with FTD in 2003, forcing her to quit her financial planning practice. Today, Susan is working harder than ever to make sure the world has a better understanding of this dreaded disease.

Donations are needed to complete the film and handle the distribution. Donations can be made through: SonShine Mountain Retreat, Inc. 2425 Highway 9, Black Mountain, NC 28711. (W) 828-669-8745. Please note donation is for “Planning For Hope”.

Partners for the film include organizations like; Alzheimer’s Association, AFTD, Alliance for Aging Research, Mayo Clinic, University of Pennsylvania, University of Colorado, Raredisease.org, and PositScience.com.

Early diagnosis and a cure some day is their goal with this film. Their dream is to help others.

Please, even if only $1.00. There is never too small of an amount. DONATE and make a difference.

Donate to Further Research in FTD

You can donate directly to Baylor College of Medicine - Department of Neurology

To donate, make checks payable to:

Mr. Keith Davis
Administrator
Department of Neurology
N-302One Baylor Plaza
Houston, Tx 77030
713.798.8910

You can call him with any questions. Be sure to put cover letter stating that you want the donation to go to Dept of Neurology for FTD Research.

We have a long way to go.....so please tell your friends and family, instead of flowers when your loved one is ill, donate money for research.

Meetings at Baylor College of Medicine

We toured Baylor College of Medicine's Research Laboratory where they are actively seeking answers for FTD. Incredible people doing incredible work.

Also heard brief presentations from the Researchers, outlining what they are working on. These people are not just Researchers, they are compassionate people wanting desperately to find answers. Realizing they are on the forefront of this disease, they understand there remains much to do.

I want to thank Dr. Paul Schulz, Neurologist, Dr. Michelle York, Neuropsychologist, Dr. Qureshi, Neuropsychiatry, Dr. Lai, Director of Parkinson’s Center, and Linda Richardson, Founder of ALS Houston Chapter and Clinic. There are many more to thank….the researchers, but I don’t know them all by name.

Dr. Schulz was my sister's doctor. Dr. Schulz and his team helped our family understand what was happening as the FTD progressed. Had it not been for BCM and these caring doctors, my sister could have passed away before we knew what was going on. They helped us to understand why she behaved like she did.

When the brain is involved, we tend to shy away from what is going on...you can't see it, surely drugs can help?? ...this family knows all the scenarios.

We need to help them raise money to start FTD Clinics...a great concept to help patients and families dealing with this dreaded disease.

2009 Goals

Educate healthcare providers about Frontotemporal Dementia

Inspire organizations, corporations, and individuals to donate money and resources for research and education of Frontotemporal Dementia

Listen and provide a ear to those caregivers in need of a friend that understands what they are going through