Puerto Rico National Guard deployed to assist with U.S. Virgin Islands fire 

The Puerto Rican National Guard was deployed last week to help fight a large fire that broke out in a landfill in the U.S. Virgin Islands. The fire has been burning for over a week and has forced schools and businesses to close. The Governor of the U.S. Virgin Islands, Albert Bryan, Jr., declared a state of emergency last week. The Puerto Rican National Guard said that it has so far supplied 60,000 gallons of water to fight the blaze, greatly exceeding the Virgin Island’s own 11,000 as of late last week.

Puerto Rico receives $1.7 million for COVID-19 research 

The Puerto Rican Department of Economic Development and Commerce announced last week that it will distribute $1.7 million to research treatments and preventative strategies for COVID. The money comes from the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) of 2021, which is intended to assist local and state governments to better address public health emergencies while promoting economic development. Most of the grants will flow through various campuses of the University of Puerto Rico, including the UPR Medical Sciences Campus and the Rio Piedras Campus.

Cancer Health magazine recognizes Puerto Rican advancements in cancer fight 

Puerto Rican Laura Ortiz-Ravick has been named to the Cancer Health 25 list, which honors people who have shown a dedication to health equity across the United States. Originally planning to pursue a career in journalism, Ortiz-Ravick’s career path changed when her mother died of cancer. As a result, Ortiz-Ravick dedicated her life to assisting disadvantaged communities facing the challenges of this disease. She serves as the Director of Outreach and Health Promotion for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society and is one of only two Latinos on the list of 25 leaders.