Inside AFTD’s Hope Rising Benefit, Which Raised $1.9 Million for Frontotemporal Degeneration

Ariana DeBoseDave Kotinsky/Getty Images

On April 3, 2025, over 400 guests gathered in the heart of New York City for an extraordinary night of glamour, generosity, and purpose: the ninth annual Hope Rising Benefit, hosted by the Association for Frontotemporal Degeneration (AFTD). The Ziegfeld Ballroom sparkled as the stars aligned—both in the sky and in the room—to raise critical funds for families affected by frontotemporal degeneration (FTD).

The benefit raised an astounding $1.9 million, all in support of AFTD’s mission to drive research and provide hope for those impacted by this lesser-known but devastating group of brain disorders. The evening’s emotional center came courtesy of Academy Award-winner Ariana DeBose, whose stirring performance set a heartfelt tone. Guests also heard a deeply moving keynote speech from Spencer Cline, who lost his father to FTD at just 14 and later biked across the country to raise awareness in his honor.

The evening was steered masterfully by journalist Paula Zahn, who served as emcee, and it drew a powerhouse crowd—including Anna Wintour, a co-chair of the evening alongside Donald Newhouse and David Zaslav, with vice-chairs Joan Berlin and Kathy Newhouse Mele lending their support.

But beyond the star power and sophistication, the Hope Rising Benefit was a night of connection and commitment—a reminder that every dollar raised is a step toward understanding FTD, supporting affected families, and, one day, finding a cure. As AFTD CEO Susan Dickinson expressed, “Through innovation, collaboration, and dedication, we are paving the path forward toward effective treatments and a cure for this devastating disease.”