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Commissioners proclaim August Gastroparesis Awareness Month after family testimony
Summary
Centre County adopted Proclamation No. 41 recognizing August 2026 as Gastroparesis Awareness Month after John, whose wife has lived with the condition for 22 years, described the disease’s effects, treatments tried, and the need for awareness and research.
The Centre County Board of Commissioners voted to adopt Proclamation No. 41, designating August 2026 as Gastroparesis Awareness Month in the county. The proclamation was adopted following public testimony from John, who attended on behalf of his wife, Mickey, and described the daily impact of the disorder on their family.
John told the board his wife has had severe gastroparesis for almost 22 years and has relied on a feeding tube and a gastric stimulator. He summarized treatments tried and limitations in diagnosis and therapies, saying, "Gastroparesis is a disorder of gastric motility defined by a measurable delay in gastric emptying in the absence of mechanical obstruction," and that standard tests often miss nuances of the condition. He also referenced the American Gastroenterological Association's 2025 clinical practice guidelines and the guideline recommendation for a four-hour gastric-emptying study.
Commissioners expressed sympathy and thanked John for speaking. The board moved to adopt the proclamation and approved it by voice vote. Commissioners also invited John to the dais for a photo and arranged to provide a copy for Mickey. The board noted awareness and improved diagnosis could help patients and families and referred to mail-in voting as an important accommodation for some with disabling health conditions; John observed that mail-in voting had enabled his wife to participate in past elections.
