HOUSTON – Congressman Gene Green (D) 29th is facing a primary opponent for the first time in many years. That opponent happens to be former Harris County Sheriff Adrian Garcia. Both are guests on this week’s Houston Newsmakers with Khambrel Marshall. What is obvious is what was once a political friendship is no more. Green says his hard work in the district is the reason he hasn’t had an opponent in 23 years. Garcia, who lost in his attempt to win the Mayor’s race last fall says he sees a path to victory on March 1st.
AND----It’s called Diffuse Intrinsic Pontine Glioma or DIPG. It is a pediatric brain tumor that is 100% fatal. Connor Olympia died from DIPG 11 months after his diagnosis and just weeks shy of his 5th birthday. His parents Alexis and Peter Olympia donated Connor’s tumor for DIPG research and are now doing what they can to raise awareness about the disease.
“Being able to pass on Connor’s legacy and hopefully bring more awareness to this terrible disease and raise research funds for it gives us hope,” said Alexis. Dr. Doug Harrison is the Assistant Professor of Pediatrics at MD Anderson Cancer Center and the Director of Inpatient Services at Children’s Cancer Hospital. He says the challenge with this cancer is that it is so rare, the research dollars are slow to match the need. As a result the news he shares with the Olympias and other parents is heartbreaking. “When we met we always decided we would try to live hopefully but with a lot of awareness of what the truth but it’s tragic occurrence and it’s a very hard thing to do,” he said. There is a Bowling event on March 12th to raise funds and awareness about DIPG. The event is at the Palace Lanes in Bellaire from 1-4pm. For more information go to www.defeatdipg.org.
This week on Houston Newsmakers Extra, the challenge of dealing with DIPG. Go to the link below for more information about this 100% fatal disease that strikes children.
(***Newsmakers Extra DIPG ***)
Houston Newsmakers with Khambrel Marshall, every Sunday Morning at 10 a.m. right after Meet the Press on KPRC Channel 2.
More Information:
• U.S. Rep. Gene Green (D) 29th Congressional District, 713-330-0761 or 281-999-5879 https://green.house.gov.
• Adrian Garcia, 512-644-2523 or 361-232-9670, www.adriangarcia.com.
• Alexis & Peter Olympia, The Connor Man Foundation , https://theconnormanfoundation.squarespace.com/.
• Doug Harrison M.D. , Assistant Professor Pediatrics MD Anderson Cancer Center 877-632-6789-, www.mdanderson.org.