Walk for FTD–Des Moines: A New Path

Join Walk for FTD–Des Moines: A New Path, the first national walk of its kind, on Saturday, Sept. 19, at Terra Park in Johnston. Registration opens at 9:30 a.m., the program begins at 10:30 a.m., and the walk starts at 11 a.m. Organizers hope to bring together over 300 walkers and raise $50,000 to support research and care for people affected by the disease. The morning will offer far more than half mile and 5K walks, including informational tables, food and ice cream trucks, live music, Bingocize, yoga, a Johnston firetruck, rock painting, kids’ activities, dog treats and more. Both Gov. Kim Reynolds and Johnston Mayor Paula Dierenfeld will issue proclamations naming Sept. 28-Oct. 4, 2026, as Frontotemporal Degeneration Awareness Week, underscoring the importance of early education and community support. FTD, a form of dementia that typically appears in people younger than 60, affects personality, behavior, decision-making, language, memory and movement. For the walk’s volunteer chairperson, Melissa Jacobson, the event is personal. Her husband, Mike, was diagnosed nine years ago at age 54, in the prime of his career and while raising three sons. She said national and local AFTD support groups have been essential throughout their journey, inspiring her to help build a network where families feel seen, supported and understood. Create or join a team today! For more information or to register, visit theaftd.org/walk-for-ftd or call 515-720-3331.