Austin proclaims April Adrenal Disease Awareness Month; patient advocate shares diagnosis

Councilmember Ryan Alter introduced a proclamation designating April 2026 as Adrenal Disease Awareness Month in Austin and invited Vanessa O'Rourke of the National Adrenal Diseases Foundation (NADF) to speak.

Vanessa O'Rourke described her diagnosis with Addison's disease 10 years ago and the gaps she encountered in care, including not being prescribed an emergency injection kit. She said adrenal diseases can be fatal without proper recognition and treatment and called for more research, education and emergency preparedness. "Without proper recognition, it can be fatal," she said, recalling a recent death of a young man from San Antonio.

Alter read the proclamation, which detailed adrenal diseases including Addison's and Cushing's syndromes and announced that Austin City Hall would be lit in blue on April 25 to mark awareness activities. The proclamation pointed people to resources from the National Adrenal Diseases Foundation for further information.

The event was ceremonial; no policy measures or ordinances were proposed during the proclamation.