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Local SPARK representative, veteran service officer brief court on brain donation and research into TBI/CTE
Summary
Blake Sanchez and Angel Narvaez (SPARK) presented a proclamation recognizing Brain Health Awareness Month and explained a DOD-funded program that uses brain donation to advance research on traumatic brain injury and CTE in veterans and service members.
Karnes County commissioners on May 13 adopted a proclamation recognizing May as Brain Health Awareness Month and May 7, 2025 as Brain Donation Awareness Day. Blake Sanchez, the county's veteran service officer, introduced Angel Narvaez from SPARK, who outlined the program's purpose and eligibility.
Narvaez said SPARK (Service Personnel Advancing Research in CTE), a Department of Defense-funded program, studies brain tissue to differentiate impact TBIs from blast-related TBIs and to improve diagnosis and treatment; she noted "CTE can only be diagnosed once somebody has passed." The presentation explained that pre-registration for donation is available for eligible service members (ages 18–60 under the program criteria) and that donated tissue supports research into PTSD, TBI and neurodegenerative disease.
Judge Hedke and commissioners thanked the presenters, accepted the proclamation and invited the group for photographs. County officials noted the local veteran and public-health implications of increased awareness of brain health.
