Discovery Fit & Health Helps Raise Awareness for Frontotemporal Degeneration With Exclusive Broadcast Rights to Short-form Documentary IT IS WHAT IT IS - FRONTOTEMPORAL DEGENERATION: TRAGIC LOSS, ABIDING HOPE

SILVER SPRING, Md., Dec. 23, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Frontotemporal degeneration is a rare, debilitating form of dementia that affects the frontal and/or temporal lobes of the brain, robbing its victims of the very things that make them unique as human beings—their personality, their emotions, and their ability to communicate. IT IS WHAT IT IS – FRONTOTEMPORAL DEGENERATION: TRAGIC LOSS, ABIDING HOPE chronicles four families as they confront FTD. By telling their stories, these extraordinary families become harbingers of hope for a lesser-known disease that is often a struggle to diagnose, causing confusion and frustration for the families affected. IT IS WHAT IT IS – FRONTOTEMPORAL DEGENERATION: TRAGIC LOSS, ABIDING HOPE makes its television debut on Monday, December 29 at 6/5c on Discovery Fit & Health.

Of the four families profiled, each heart-wrenching journey is unique and demonstrates the impact of a disease that manifests itself in different ways. The documentary introduces viewers to the Yurkanans, who are in the peculiar position of both having brain diseases. Chris was diagnosed with primary progressive aphasia (PPA) a language variant of FTD and her husband has Parkinson's, so they act as both patient and caregiver to one another. Spouses help to tell the other stories, as self-awareness and language skills are commonly impaired by the disease. Michelle Brown was a married mother of three children when her behavior began to become erratic and a loss of connection to her family sounded alarms that something was seriously wrong. Bruce Coon was always an adventurer and the guy everyone went to if they needed help with something. But as his personality started to change in subtle and unnerving ways, his wife began searching for an answer. Finally, the film profiles the Van Son family. Jeff was a 39-year-old rising star in his company and doting father to three young children when he started missing deadlines, was demoted and began emotionally withdrawing from his wife. Getting a relatively fast diagnosis helped this young family plan for the time he would no longer be with them.

"This film raises awareness and draws attention to FTD at time when there is tremendous momentum in research. I firmly believe that by working together, families, physicians, and researchers will make disease-modifying treatments a reality," said Bruce L. Miller, M.D., Founding Member AFTD Medical Advisory Council.

Frontotemporal degeneration is a rare disease, affecting approximately 50,000 nationwide. It is a debilitating form of dementia that affects the frontal and/or temporal lobes of the brain. FTD strikes people typically between ages 50 and 60 and erodes their ability to speak, move and/or behave within social norms. There is no known cure for FTD. Current treatments may address symptoms but do not alter or slow disease progression. For those affected, getting a correct diagnosis and finding appropriate care are  challenging, as many physicians are unfamiliar with FTD.  For more information about AFTD or frontotemporal degeneration, visit www.theaftd.org.

ABOUT THE ASSOCIATION FOR FRONTOTEMPORAL DEGENERATION (AFTD) 
The Association for Frontotemporal Degeneration envisions a world where FTD is understood, effectively diagnosed, treated, cured and ultimately prevented.  For more information about AFTD or frontotemporal degeneration, visit www.theaftd.org or connect via https://www.facebook.com/TheAFTD or https://twitter.com/AFTDCure.

ABOUT DISCOVERY FIT & HEALTH  
On January 15, 2015, Discovery Fit & Health will become Discovery Life Channel – a network that embraces all of life's unplanned moments. Discovery Life brings viewers a kaleidoscope of human emotions and experiences through the true stories of ordinary people in extraordinary circumstances. From critical turning points to unexpected moments, Discovery Life explores how people tackle life's surprising twists and turns. The network will be under the purview of Henry Schleiff, Group President of Investigation Discovery, American Heroes Channel, Destination America, Discovery Family Channel, and Discovery Fit & Health, with Jane Latman as General Manager. Discovery Fit & Health is part of Discovery Communications (Nasdaq: DISCA, DISCB, DISCK), the world's #1 pay-tv programmer reaching nearly 3 billion cumulative subscribers in 220 countries and territories.

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SOURCE Discovery Fit & Health