Pharr proclaims June Brain Awareness Month and Transverse Myelitis Awareness Month

The Pharr City Commission issued two proclamations during its June meeting recognizing health awareness causes.

Elizabeth Diaz, the city’s public health director, introduced a representative of the Alzheimer’s Association who said the city has been a strong partner in local outreach. "This year's walk is going to be on October the 3 at the Vanguard Nature Center," the speaker said and described the walk’s role in supporting families affected by Alzheimer’s and related dementias. The speaker cited a projection that by 2050 unpaid caregiving costs could reach about $1 trillion and urged residents to back the ACT Now support for the ASAP Act, saying that a recently FDA-licensed blood test can detect Alzheimer’s before symptoms appear but Medicare currently does not cover it.

A separate presentation by family members and advocates marked June as Transverse Myelitis Awareness Month and highlighted the case of Audrey Garza, who was described as the first known child in Hidalgo County with the condition, recovering strength after prolonged hospitalization. The family thanked the commission and described awareness and research needs for the rare neurological condition.

Both proclamations were read into the record and presented as ceremonial recognitions; no formal policy actions followed from the proclamations. Staff provided copies of informational materials to the city for posting and distribution; commissioners requested bilingual materials where possible.