Emma Heming Willis has established the Emma & Bruce Willis Fund for Dementia Research and Caregiver Support, a charitable initiative focused on advancing understanding of frontotemporal dementia while providing resources for families navigating the devastating diagnosis.
The author and advocate announced the fund's launch on Thursday, March 12, while accepting an award at The Association for Frontotemporal Degeneration's Hope Rising Benefit in New York. The 47-year-old accepted the honor on behalf of herself and her husband, actor Bruce Willis, whose own battle with frontotemporal dementia inspired the charitable endeavor.
The fund is dedicated to advancing understanding of frontotemporal dementia by raising awareness, supporting promising scientific research, and strengthening support for caregivers who shoulder the daily responsibilities of caring for loved ones with the progressive neurological condition.
"This journey has opened my eyes to the realities so many families face when a loved one is living with frontotemporal dementia," Emma Heming Willis said during her acceptance speech. "I believe deeply in the importance of supporting research while also showing up for the caregivers who carry so much every day."
She continued, expressing hope that the fund would reduce isolation among affected families. "Through this fund, my hope is to help deepen understanding of FTD and ensure families facing it feel seen, supported, and less alone. Bruce has always led with generosity and heart, and I know he would be proud to see this effort helping families facing this disease."
Bruce Willis, 70, received his initial diagnosis of aphasia, a language disorder, in March 2022. The condition progressed, and his family announced in February 2023 that he had been diagnosed with frontotemporal dementia, a degenerative brain disease that affects behavior, language, and movement. The condition currently has no cure.
Following the diagnosis, the Willis family released a statement acknowledging the difficulty of the situation. "This is a really challenging time for our family and we are so appreciative of your continued love, compassion and support," the statement read. "We are moving through this as a strong family unit, and wanted to bring his fans in because we know how much he means to you, as you do to him."
Emma Heming Willis has emerged as a vocal advocate for dementia research and caregiver support, frequently sharing the challenges of caring for her husband. In an interview that aired in August 2025, she described the moment of receiving the diagnosis as overwhelming and disorienting.
"To leave there with no ... nothing, just nothing. With a diagnosis I couldn't pronounce. I didn't understand what it was," she recounted. "I was so panicked. I just remember hearing it and just not hearing anything else. It was like I was free-falling."
The establishment of the fund represents a significant step in translating personal struggle into meaningful support for others facing similar circumstances. By combining research funding with caregiver resources, the initiative addresses both the scientific and human dimensions of frontotemporal dementia, a condition that affects thousands of families nationwide.
Frontotemporal dementia typically affects individuals between the ages of 45 and 64, making it distinct from other forms of dementia that primarily affect older populations. The condition's impact on language, behavior, and personality presents unique challenges for both patients and their caregivers, underscoring the importance of specialized support and continued research into treatment options.