El Paso County proclaims May 2026 as Huntington’s Disease Awareness Month after family testimony

The El Paso County Commissioner's Court on May 4 unanimously adopted a resolution designating May 2026 as Huntington’s Disease Awareness Month after two local advocates described the personal and regional toll of the hereditary disorder.

Justin Conro, who identified himself as a firefighter and music teacher, told the court he received a diagnosis in March 2025 and has experienced progressive physical and cognitive decline that forced him off active firefighting duty. “I have a different fire to put out now,” Conro said, describing fatigue, short‑term memory loss and speech changes that have made daily tasks and his job unsafe. He thanked the court for the resolution and said his family will continue advocating for care and research.

Rebecca Montoya Conro, who identified herself as Justin’s wife and an HD advocate, urged the court both to support local families and to press state and federal leaders. She asked the county to recognize May 15 as local Huntington’s Disease Awareness Day, to encourage the Paul L. Foster School of Medicine to expand care regionally, and to write state senators and representatives and the FDA in support of clinical‑trial pathways for AMT130, a therapy she said had previously received an accelerated‑approval designation from the FDA. She described the urgency facing families who must travel out of El Paso for specialty care and called for expanded local services and financial supports for affected households.

Commissioner Butler introduced and read the resolution into the record, citing national prevalence estimates included in the text and urging residents and institutions to raise awareness; the court voted to adopt the resolution. County officials thanked the Conro family for their testimony and said they would follow up with state and health‑system partners. The court also invited the Conros to remain for photos and further conversation.

The resolution and testimony do not create new county programs or appropriations; they are honorary and intended to elevate awareness, support local advocacy and encourage coordination with regional medical centers and state officials. The Conros asked the county to help publicize state and federal advocacy steps, including letters to the FDA in support of AMT130’s regulatory review.