During the May 14th City Council meeting in Zachary, Mayor McDavid proclaimed May as Brain Tumor Awareness Month. This initiative was highlighted by Councilwoman Brandy Westmoreland, who emphasized the importance of raising awareness about brain tumors. To support this cause, council members and city employees were encouraged to wear gray, the official color representing brain tumor awareness.

Writing this proclamation was a way to honor my mom. Life will never be the same without her in it. We will still dance, just with a limp now.

She was the hands and feet of Jesus in our lives, giving everything she had to everyone she met, holding nothing back!

This has by far been the hardest thing I’ve ever dealt with. 365 days from diagnosis to death, through two brain surgeries and a shunt. She was only sick for the last two weeks of her life. She was strength until the end.

Family is everything. Take the pictures. Make the memories.

- Councilwoman Brandy Westmoreland

Brain tumors can occur at any age, and those who don't lose their lives are still impacted by the loss of memory, sight, balance, coordination, taste, hearing, and the ability to drive, work, and go to school. Despite the number and devastating impacts, there are fewer than 30 FDA-approved drugs and devices to treat over 120 different types of primary tumors. Currently, 1 million Americans are living with a brain tumor.

More than 100,000 Americans will receive a primary brain tumor diagnosis this year in 2024, with a survival rate of less than 35%. Additionally, more than 20,000 Americans will die from a brain tumor this year. Brain tumors are the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths in adults under the age of 85 and the leading cause of cancer-related deaths in children in the United States. Louisiana ranks second in the nation for cancer-related deaths.

While some progress has been made in increasing public awareness of brain tumors through advocacy and support for research and education, more targeted research is needed to find a cure. This month, we aim to create a high level of awareness for brain tumor patients. We support brain tumor patients and the research efforts of scientists and physicians as they work toward improving less toxic treatments and, eventually, finding a cure. We salute the victims and families of brain tumors who continue to demonstrate great determination, adaptability, and courage in their efforts to live their lives to the best of their ability with this disease.

Therefore, the city of Zachary hereby proclaims May as Brain Tumor Awareness Month. As you all know, this is very dear to me. It has been a very hard month. Not only is it Brain Tumor Awareness Month, but it's also Mother's Day, and I celebrated Mother's Day without my mom for the first time. She was diagnosed in May, and she passed in May. If you are a family member or a patient, know that the city is here for you and that more advocacy is needed.

 We will pay tribute and remember those who are no longer with us:

• Muriel Reagan was diagnosed in January of 1985 and passed on May 19th, 1985.
• Kira Stanley was diagnosed in December of 2019 and passed in 2019.
• Marty Massey was diagnosed in 2014 and passed in July of 2017.
• Rafe Cupid was diagnosed in September of 2019 and passed on January 16th, 2020.
• Casey Palate was diagnosed in August of 2020 and passed on July 7th, 2021.
• Larry Bellard Brad Vince was diagnosed in July of 2021 and passed in September of 2021.
• Bryant Doron was diagnosed in June of 2023 and passed on September 17th, 2023.
• Laura Hopewell Murchison was diagnosed in March of 2022 and passed on April 22nd, 2023.
• Jeff Reynolds was diagnosed in September of 2022 and passed on February 1st, 2024.
• Angela Richardson was diagnosed in December of 2022 and passed on March 2nd, 2024.
• Elaine Hughes was diagnosed in May of 2022 and passed on May 26th, 2023, exactly one year.

I would also like to recognize the patients and their survivors who are still battling and fighting, and to let you know that we support you:

• Kimberly Kirkland was diagnosed in June of 2010.
• Emma Lio, diagnosed in May of 2018.
• Kara Mock, diagnosed in December of 2014.
• Chloe Sanders, diagnosed in April of 2023.
• Glenn Overfield, diagnosed in April of 2024.
• Anthony Scott, diagnosed in May of 2024.

Thank you.

 Elaine Hughes passed away on May 26, 2023. She left behind a legacy of faith, love, and charity. Her family asks in her honor for " you to be humble and kind, forgive one another, provide a meal to a friend, pray for someone, and most of all share God's love with everyone you can."