Tagged News

• COVID-19 vaccines may help some cancer patients fight tumors

  October 22, 2025 10:58 AM

  WASHINGTON (AP) — The most widely used COVID-19 vaccines may offer a surprise benefit for some cancer patients – revving up their immune systems to help fight tumors. People with advanced lung or skin cancer who were taking certain immunotherapy drugs lived substantially longer if they also got a... more »

• Cowboys owner Jerry Jones reveals cancer diagnosis and credits experimental drug

  August 13, 2025 5:35 PM

  OXNARD, Calif. (AP) — Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones credited an experimental trial drug for successfully treating advanced melanoma as he disclosed his cancer diagnosis publicly for the first time. Jones revealed his illness in a documentary series, "America's Team: The Gambler and His Cowboys," which will debut on... more »

• Edinburg police investigator dies following battle with lymphoma Play Video

  August 11, 2025 8:24 PM

  An investigator with the Edinburg Police Department died on Monday following a battle with lymphoma, Edinburg police Chief Jaime Ayala confirmed to Channel 5 News. Investigator John Olivarez spent 23 years serving the department “with honor, dedication, and an unwavering love for his community and country,” Ayala said in... more »

• Edinburg police officer undergoing battle with Lymphoma Play Video

  July 19, 2025 1:33 PM

  John Olivarez spent 23 years protecting his city. He's a long time Edinburg police officer, and now he's fighting for his life at MD Anderson in Houston. "These last couple of days, his health took a major dip. He's in intensive care right now," Olivarez's cousin, Myra Palomin said.... more »

• Edinburg Community Gives Back Play Video

  January 3, 2021 11:35 PM

  EDINBURG - When one Edinburg family was given some unexpected news, it didn't take long for the community to rally behind them. CHANNEL 5's Erica Ross has the story. GoFundMe: https://www.gofundme.com/f/f6djfb-sebastian-garcia?utm_medium=email&utm_source=customer&utm_campaign=p_nacp+share-sheet&rcid=1fa08f6d5885440d8795cf29cf1e680a more »

• City of Mission 'Braves the Shave' for Ram Garcia Play Video

  September 20, 2020 11:27 PM

  MISSION - When a valley athlete suffers, the whole valley suffers. One Mission Eagles football player recently being diagnosed with cancer. The whole Mission community rallying behind him with a 'Brave the Shave' event. CHANNEL 5's Erica Ross has the story. more »

• Valley hospitals taking extra precautions with cancer patients Play Video

  April 8, 2020 7:01 PM

  HARLINGEN – Medical professionals have been extra busy during the pandemic. They’re not dealing with just the coronavirus. Cancer patients are being treated daily at Harlingen Medical Center and preventative measures continue to make sure those battling cancer are safe. Todd Shenkenberg is a medical cancer specialist at... more »

• Strangers Show Support for Toddler Battling Cancer Play Video

  January 11, 2020 11:05 PM

  MCALLEN - More than 100 people showed up Saturday afternoon for Adan Farias' 2nd birthday party. The now 2-year-old from Brownsville is battling neuroblastoma. Over the summer Adan's parents met Mark Vidales, he told them he wanted to throw their son a party. His... more »

• Planean fiesta de cumpleaños para niño del Valle que lucha contra el cáncer Play Video

  December 9, 2019 9:49 PM

  MCALLEN – Un niño del Valle del Río Grande que lucha contra el cáncer cumplirá dos años el próximo mes. Un desconocido intenta lograr que este pequeño tenga un cumpleaños muy especial. El 31 de julio Adán Farias y Karla García descubrieron que su hijo tenía neuroblastoma en... more »

• Good Samaritan Plans Birthday Party for Valley Toddler Battling Cancer Play Video

  December 9, 2019 6:46 PM

  MCALLEN – A Rio Grande Valley toddler battling cancer turns two years old next month. A stranger is making it his goal to give this little boy an extra special birthday. On July 31, Adan Farias and Karla Garcia found out their son Adan had stage four neuroblastoma. ... more »

• Local Group Helps Family with Christmas Decorations Play Video

  November 30, 2019 10:39 PM

  HARLINGEN - One local group is helping spread Christmas cheer a little early this year. Southern Careers Institute stepped in to help one family in need with some holiday decorations. Campus Director Scott Hooks says the tree and gifts are from a program started about ten years ago.... more »

• Valley Man Battling Cancer Believed to be Target of Identity Theft Play Video

  November 20, 2019 6:43 PM

  MISSION – A Rio Grande Valley man battling cancer believes his identity was stolen and is looking for answers. Omar Garza says he was living in his mobile home for nearly four months while his home was being built and he was shocked when his electricity bill showed with... more »

• Bomberos de Mission: La lucha por la vida Play Video

  November 18, 2019 9:44 PM

  MISSION - Los bomberos, cuya labor principal es proteger a la comunidad, quedan indefensos cuando reciben un diagnóstico de cáncer. Y en la ciudad de Mission algunos de ellos han perdido la batalla, mientras otros quedan atrapados en un camino que cambiará sus vidas; y la ley por siempre.... more »

• Denied Workers' Compensation Claims Explained Play Video

  November 12, 2019 10:31 PM

  MISSION – Some Mission firefighters are facing cancer battles. One took his fight to lawmakers and managed to change workmans' compensation laws. First responders who get cancer can file claims. The trend shows they'll more than likely be initially denied. Last week, CHANNEL 5 NEWS heard from Mission... more »

• Mission Firefighters: The Fight for Life Play Video

  November 5, 2019 10:39 PM

  MISSION – Firefighters tasked with protecting the community were left helpless when they received a cancer diagnosis. Some lost their fight. Others were set on a path that would change their lives and the law forever. In just a few years, the Mission Fire Department went from one... more »

• Reunión en Harlingen sobre lucha contra consumo de tabaco y vapeo Play Video

  October 30, 2019 4:58 PM

  HARLINGEN - La Coalición para la Prevención y el Control del Tabaco realizó el miércoles una reunión en Harlingen en la que se abordó la lucha contra el consumo del tabaco y vapeo. El uso de tabaco y vapeo causa miles de muertes al año en los Estados Unidos,... more »

• Dos madres del Valle buscan concientizar sobre cáncer en niños Play Video

  September 6, 2019 9:42 PM

  MISSION - Dos madres de familia del Valle del Río Grande tienen un mensaje para la comunidad tras ver a sus hijos fallecer de cáncer. Esperan que un evento que se llevará a cabo este sábado ayude a concientizar sobre cáncer en niños y a recaudar fondos para ayudar... more »

• Two Valley Mothers Hope to Bring Awareness to Childhood Cancer Play Video

  September 6, 2019 5:35 PM

  MISSION - They watched their sons die from childhood cancer. Now two Rio Grande Valley moms have a message for the community. They hope an event this Saturday can bring awareness to childhood cancer and raise money to help others who go through the same pain. Tanya... more »

• Firefighters Await Cancer Protection Bill to be Signed Play Video

  May 30, 2019 7:18 PM

  MISSION - Firefighters in Texas are waiting for a bill to be signed by the governor that will help those who get cancer on the job. A Mission firefighter and a Rio Grande Valley senator teamed-up to help protect first-responders fighting for their lives. Homer Salinas is proud... more »

• 9-Year-Old Battling Cancer Sworn in as Honorary Police Captain Play Video

  May 3, 2019 9:22 PM

  ALTON – A battle with cancer isn’t stopping a 9-year-old boy from stepping up for his hometown. Brandon Tadeo Alvarez swore in as an honorary police captain in Alton on Friday. He had a room packed with law enforcement to show support – this is his second fight... more »

• Toxic Plume Investigation Continues in McAllen Neighborhood Play Video

  April 10, 2019 5:58 PM

  MCALLEN - Close to 10 years ago a McAllen neighborhood found out they were living on top thousands of gallons of leaked gasoline and benzene. Benzene is reportedly a flammable chemical linked to cancer and is known around the neighborhood as ‘toxic plume’. Close to two acres of... more »

• HOV: Obesity Could Lead to Cancer Risk in Women Play Video

  April 4, 2019 5:26 PM

  WESLACO – Diabetes is just one of the many complications that comes with obesity. Women need to be aware of another factor that can put them at risk for cancer. “I did not recognize myself and I started crying. I had not realized I was in denial, how... more »

• Judge Grants Request for Trial for Family of Firefighter Play Video

  March 11, 2019 6:23 PM

  EDINBURG – The trial will move forward for the family of a McAllen firefighter who died from cancer. The city of McAllen filed a lawsuit in order to keep the widow of the firefighter from receiving benefits in 2016. Cristela Torres and her family began receiving benefits after... more »

• Man Loses Health Insurance after Multi-State Move Play Video

  March 8, 2019 6:34 PM

  HARLINGEN – An Arizona man moved to the Rio Grande Valley to get a fresh start and live the rest of his days. He says his last days are coming sooner than expected after losing his medical insurance when he changed states. Anthony Osborne and his wife moved... more »

• McAllen Meets in Court to Halt Benefits for Widow of City Firefighter Play Video

  March 8, 2019 12:18 PM

  EDINBURG – The city of McAllen is in court Friday trying to stop payment benefits to the widow of a McAllen firefighter. Cristela Torres was awarded the benefits in a previous court hearing. Her husband Robert Torres, who served as a firefighter in McAllen for 26 years, was... more »

• McAllen Suing to Stop Death Benefits to Firefighter's Descendants Play Video

  February 19, 2019 8:54 PM

  MCALLEN – A widow is fighting to keep her husband's death benefits. She says he previously worked as a firefighter and died of cancer in 2012. The benefits were awarded to her, but she says the City of McAllen wants to stop them. Robert Torres served as... more »

• Health Risks of Cannabidiol Oil Products Explained Play Video

  February 18, 2019 6:39 PM

  MCALLEN – The latest farm bill allows cannabidiol products (CBD) to be considered legal. The number of stores selling CBD products is increasing here in the Rio Grande Valley. People claim it can help with diabetes, epilepsy and cancer. Valley doctors say they need to be careful with... more »

• Texas State Association of Fire Fighters Challenging Worker's Compensation Process Play Video

  February 4, 2019 7:39 PM

  MISSION - While a Mission firefighter is again entangled in a newly-filed lawsuit , the Texas State Association of Fire Fighters is fighting to change the process for having a state workers' compensation claim accepted. Homer Salinas is fighting a disease he believes is the result of a hazard... more »

• City of Mission’s Insurer Sues Firefighter Who Battled Cancer Play Video

  February 4, 2019 6:37 PM

  UPDATE (2/7): The Mission City Council voted unanimously a lawsuit filed against a firefighter battling cancer. The city council declared yesterday they don't want to have anything to do with the lawsuit. "I put forward a motion to that council before TMLIRP Board and state thereof their position... more »

• Mission Firefighter Who Battled Cancer Hopes Prevention Measures Keep Others Safe Play Video

  May 23, 2018 5:06 PM

  MISSION – A Mission firefighter who battled cancer since October of last year is now cancer-free. He argues his kidney cancer was caused by the carcinogens he’s been exposed to throughout his 20-year career. The fire department has made changes to prevent future cases. He hopes these changes keep him,... more »