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Are you a mindless muncher? Follow these smart tips for healthier snacking

2019-08-20T09:23:00

(BPT) – Eating small snacks throughout the day can be a great way to maintain energy and keep hunger pangs at bay between meals. The problem is, it’s far too easy to reach for unhealthy foods that satisfy your sweet or salty cravings, but don’t necessarily provide the essential nutrients your body needs.

You can prevent mindless snacking by taking a few proactive steps now so you have access to delicious foods that are easy to eat at home or on the go. You’ll feel good about snacking by following these simple tips and tricks:

Convenience: Shop with the goal of stocking the fridge with convenient, nutrient-rich snacks. For example, new Fruitlove spoonable smoothies are packed with the goodness of three or more real fruits and vegetables, providing a good source of protein and calcium, and an excellent source of vitamins A, B1 and B3. The unique flavor combinations — like Mango Medley that features banana, pineapple, carrot and mango — seem like a treat, but Fruitlove is really a wholesome snack packed with goodness. With a spoon right in the container, it’s built for on-the-go snacking.

Weekend prep: Some people do meal prep on weekends for the upcoming busy work and school week. This can also be a great strategy for snacking. For example, buy fresh vegetables in bulk to save money, then spend some time on Sunday chopping them into veggie straws and packaging them into individual containers. This provides an easy grab-and-go snack. Keep them in an accessible drawer in the fridge so anyone can get a healthy snack when hunger strikes.

Drink up: Sometimes your body confuses thirst with hunger, so strive to stay hydrated by keeping a water bottle close by and sipping regularly. When you snack, also consider a side of good old H2O to help your body feel its best. Bored with this zero-calorie beverage? Add a healthy flavor boost with sliced lemon, strawberries or cucumber.

Portion size: It’s easy to overeat when you have a whole bag or container to snack out of. Whatever the food, be mindful of the portion size on the nutrition label. A smart way to stick to reasonable portions is to take the snack and put the correct portion in a bowl. That way when it’s gone you are done snacking rather than being tempted to overindulge.

Crunchy alternatives: Looking for a way to satisfy that craving for something crunchy without resorting to unhealthy chips? Whole nuts have a tasty crunch and are packed with protein, omegas and other nutrients. For example, 1 ounce of almonds contains 6 grams of protein, 3.5 grams of dietary fiber and 75 milligrams of calcium.

Snack slowly: When you’re hungry, you tend to eat faster. However, it’s important to eat slowly to let your body metabolize food efficiently, plus it can trick your mind into feeling like you’re eating more. For example, eat one nut at a time rather than handfuls of three or four. Take breaths between bites and notice the tastes and textures of the food, enjoying every bit.

Whole grains: Whole grain foods provide essential nutrients and fiber, which helps you feel more full for longer. An often-forgotten versatile whole grain is popcorn. Consider investing in an air popper and popping your own so you can flavor it with wholesome toppings such as dried herbs or cheese. Separate into individual baggies that can easily be tucked into backpacks or purses.

With these smart tips you not only tempt your taste buds, but you also give your body snacks you can feel good about. From smart shopping to mindful snack prep, these changes are sure to make a big impact in how you snack.


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Searching for a deal on a family wireless plan? Here’s what you should know

2019-08-19T08:01:00

(BPT) – Sharing your wireless plan with family members is a great way to save. It eliminates the hassle of multiple bills and lets you benefit from bundled savings offered by your provider. But choosing the right one requires some homework: Family plans today come in all shapes and sizes.

Here are a few key things to consider before signing your family up with a new carrier.

How much data do you need?

The biggest difference in wireless plans these days is based on your data needs. Since cellphones function more as personal computers than calling devices, data packages drive up the price far more than minutes or texts.

Many carriers offer “unlimited” data which, at a glance, may seem like a great option for a family. But unlimited data plans actually have some limits. Most carriers give you some super-fast LTE data but then slow down your speeds after you’ve used a certain amount.

Instead, calculate your actual data usage to see if you can adopt a plan that is more affordable. By connecting to Wi-Fi and using other data saving methods, the average person uses less than 3GB of data per month. Once you’re clear on your real data usage, you can choose a more customized plan, and the savings can be substantial.

Do you really need the latest phone?

Before you settle on a family plan, consider what you’re going to do regarding cellphones. There are plenty of choices available from a new carrier, but purchasing a few new phones, or even one, can be an expensive proposition.

Most wireless carriers allow you to bring your own device to their service, if the phone is compatible with their networks. Some carriers will even attempt to entice new customers with “Bring Your Own Phone” incentives, like an extra credit or a free month of a certain plan. This is especially convenient if you’re ready for a new carrier but don’t want to give up a like-new iPhone or Samsung Galaxy.

You can typically switch carriers by removing your existing SIM card and inserting a SIM card obtained from your new carrier. Just be sure to check that you can use your device with the new provider’s network. To check if your device is compatible, visit the carrier’s website and look for information on bringing your device or swapping SIM cards.

Who has the best deal?

Every cellphone carrier offers some sort of bundled or family plan. To find the one that’s right for you, focus on the amount of data the packages offer, the monthly charge for each additional line (these will vary), and any additional fees you may incur if you decide to switch to a different plan.

A recent survey by Wirecutter, the New York Times product review website, found the best value as belonging to Consumer Cellular. Their monthly per-line charge is a low $15, with no fees for changing plans. Wirecutter highlighted these Consumer Plans as top deals:

  • A two-line plan, including unlimited talk and 10GB of shared data for $65 a month, was found to be “the best plan for couples.”
  • A four-line plan, with unlimited talk and 20GB of shared data for $105 a month, was selected as “the best plan for a family of four.”

If there is more than one person in your household, you really ought to be in a family cellphone plan. You’ll save money over going it alone. Start by deciding on the data you’ll need, then choose a customized plan that’s just right for your needs and your budget.


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5 tips to protect your connected devices and electronic identity

2019-08-16T08:01:01

(BPT) – Resourceful thieves and cyber criminals continue to find new ways to hack U.S. consumers’ sensitive personal information. Dumpster diving, stolen or lost wallets and mail fraud should still be concerns, but the digital age of tablets, smartphones, PCs and Wi-Fi networks leaves people even more vulnerable than ever.

Think about it: Have you ever stored credit card information on your phone for added convenience to make payments in a checkout lane? Do you ever store passwords in apps to transfer funds between accounts? And what’s to keep hackers from accessing a wireless network you check your email on while you’re grabbing a quick cup of coffee?

”More than 15.4 million people a year will experience identity theft, with an average loss of more than $1,000,” said Jane Li, Mercury Insurance’s director of product management. “When one access point closes due to added levels of security, cyber attackers find another. Insurance companies like Mercury provide services that allow homeowners and renters to enjoy the convenience of accessing their connected devices at home and on-the-go, while also helping to protect customers from the potentially devastating effects of criminal infiltration, cyber extortion and identity theft.”

Keeping aware of the latest schemes and ensuring members of your household, friends and others you care about have the right tools helps stop criminals in their tracks.

Following are five do’s and don’ts to help protect your connected devices, as well as your electronic identity, from hackers.

  1. Do power down your devices. This disables the internet connection, cutting off access to any personal information stored on your computer, tablet or phone. Unattended machines, especially if you’re asleep or you leave them at home while on vacation, are easy targets for hackers.
  2. Don’t connect to unsecured wireless networks. Information accessed on an open network, including email passwords and sensitive bank information, is fair game for hackers. Don’t make their jobs easier. Turn off Wi-Fi access on your devices unless it’s a password-protected network you trust.
  3. Do monitor your children’s device usage. It’s a good idea to limit use of computers, tablets and phones to public areas within the home like the living room or kitchen. This makes it easier for parents to keep an eye on who their kids are communicating with, especially on social media or gaming sites, to help prevent the sharing of sensitive information like full names, addresses or other things that can be used for identity theft or other potentially dangerous activities.
  4. Don’t discard important paperwork without shredding it. If it has your name and address, it presents an opportunity for thieves to take advantage and open an account using your information. Remember to shred expired insurance documents, vehicle registrations, bills, loan pre-qualifications and other paperwork that would allow someone to call in pretending to be you. Check your credit reports at least twice a year to ensure all accounts opened in your name are valid.
  5. Do install recommended updates. Smartphone, computer, tablet and smart TV manufacturers, among other providers of connected devices, offer periodic software updates to protect against potential security breaches. Chances are, if an update is recommended, hackers have already discovered a way to access your personal property and information, so keep your software up-to-date.

Li recommends homeowners and renters speak with their local insurance agent to learn more about the endorsements they may be able to add to existing policies to help safeguard their finances if their identities are compromised or connected devices are attacked.

“It can be daunting to try to regain your financial footing if a criminal takes advantage of you,” said Li. “Insurance exists to help protect consumers from unexpected events and, in this case, it’s better to be safe than sorry.”


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The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS) Is Taking On Children’s Cancer From Every Direction [Infographic]

2019-08-15T10:01:00

(BPT) – Blood cancers account for more than 40 percent of all childhood cancers, and most children are treated with the same toxic combinations of chemotherapies developed decades ago. Though there has been significant progress in advancing new therapies for adults with cancer, only four oncology drugs have been approved for first-use in children over the past four decades. While many children survive acute lymphoblastic leukemia, the most common type of pediatric blood cancer, the current treatments are harsh and outdated and the long-term effects can create severe life-threatening complications. That’s why The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS) is more than doubling their investment in leading-edge research to find safer, lifesaving therapies for children, teens and young adults with blood cancers, while expanding our services for children and their families, and planning an unprecedented LLS-led global precision medicine clinical trial for children with acute leukemia.


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Grill like a boss with big BBQ flavor and bold wines

2019-08-15T14:07:00

(BPT) – Grilling is one of America’s greatest pastimes, and if you love grilled meat, chances are you also like hosting cookouts to show off your pit master prowess. Once you’ve mastered the art of the char, why not take it a step further? Serve wine that blows the lid off the meal, in the best possible way.

The right wine pairing makes all the difference. The aroma and flavor of wines can highlight and enhance the taste of grilled food like no other beverage. And the good news is, it’s not rocket science. Choosing wine depends mostly on what you’re grilling, and how you’re dressing it up — what kind of sauce or rubs you’re using.

Here’s a handy guide to wine pairings to take your cookout to the next level.

Bold barbecue needs bold wine

When you’re grilling cuts of beef like brisket, tenderloin, a juicy steak or ribs and using potent spices and flavors like classic Kansas City or Memphis-style barbecue sauce, cabernet sauvignon is a great choice to balance those intense flavors.

For example, within The Federalist’s portfolio of wines celebrating America’s heritage, The Federalist Lodi Cabernet Sauvignon is a medium weight red wine with a good grip from tannins, in wine speak — and what does that mean? It means the flavor and body of the wine is strong enough to hold up to the bold, smoky and spicy flavors of your meat. You can also serve it with game like venison, or roasted and smoked vegetables. This wine has an aroma of berries, tart cherries, sweet oak and cinnamon, along with a delicious flavor that will wow your meat-loving guests.

Another popular choice to serve with grilled meats like a flank steak is The Federalist Honest Red Blend, combining 53% merlot grapes with 30% zinfandel and 15% cabernet sauvignon. It marries the flavor of dark fruits with some spiciness and a rich, round mouthfeel. You can’t go wrong serving a bold red wine with grilled red meat, as the high-fat content in the meat is balanced by the strong tannins present in red wine.

Mix it up

If you’re serving a mix of grilled foods, including pork or barbecued chicken along with burgers and steaks, you’ll want to choose a versatile wine that pairs well with a variety of different types of meat and poultry. Since many pork recipes use sweet and tangy sauces, wine with a fruitier flavor may be just the ticket, like red zinfandel or a bourbon barrel aged wine. You may even want to add a little of the wine to the sauce.

The Federalist Bourbon Barrel-aged Zinfandel embraces the uniquely American tradition of aging wine in charred bourbon barrels. The result is a fruity, spicy wine with dark cherry and cola notes, making the wine a great choice to pair with chicken marinated in barbecue sauce or grilled smoked sausages. For a stronger tannin structure and cleansing acidity that pairs exceptionally well with steak, a Lodi sourced zinfandel adds some zing to balance spicy, smoky flavors from your grill or smoker.

Lighten it up

When you’re grilling lighter fare like fish or chicken, or if you’re entertaining vegetarian or vegan friends, choose a white wine to enhance and match those delicate flavors and textures. Heavier barbecued meats and stronger flavors can easily overwhelm a lighter white wine, but a crisp chardonnay pairs very well with these foods. Chardonnay pairs perfectly with veggie burgers and grilled vegetables, chicken, and several types of fattier fish such as salmon, trout, tuna or rockfish. You can even serve it with Cornish game hen if you’re feeling fancy.

Grilling season is just getting started, so take advantage of it by making your next cookout a standout event. Tap into these tips to help you select the right flavor balance to show off your grilling skills. Check out @FederalistWines on Instagram to learn more about The Federalist wine portfolio and additional tips on how to survive grilling season.


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The Seven Baking Techniques You Didn’t Even Know You Needed to Master

2019-08-15T08:01:00

(BPT) – Love to bake but feel like you sometimes do not get the end result you were hoping for? The secret is usually with the technique. It’s time to go back to the basics and break down the top techniques you may not have known you needed to master to be a baking pro.

Baking is a wonderful pastime and a common way to relax. Psychologists have even found that the act of baking may help improve your mood. However, before you can truly enjoy the mindful benefits of baking, it’s important to master the basics.

You may have the best intentions when you start that cake, torte or another treat, but one wrong step and your baking smile can turn into a scowl. If your goal is to achieve #nomorebakingfails, we’ve got a few tips you probably didn’t know you needed to master but will make all the difference in the kitchen. For more helpful step-by-step videos, tips and tricks, visit BetterYourBake.com.

Tip #1: Separating egg whites and yolks

Many recipes call for either egg whites or yolks, so you’ll need to know how to separate the protein (the white) from the fat (the yolk). Yolks add richness to a batter, while whipped whites act as a natural leavening agent. Fortunately, separating eggs is surprisingly simple. For perfectly separated eggs: Begin with clean, washed hands and hold the egg firmly and tap against a hard surface. Next, pry apart the shell and discard the half without the egg. Pour the yolk into your palm and filter the egg whites through your fingers and into a bowl to avoid introducing unwanted bacteria from the eggshell.

Tip #2: Whisking the right way

Most bakers believe whisking is solely about getting the right circular motion, but is that really the most efficient way? Science says this motion doesn’t allow for proper aeration. Rather, side-to-side whisking creates the best shear force, allowing one layer of the liquid to move toward another layer, creating air channels for the ingredients to become fully mixed.

Tip #3: How to brown butter

With an incredible toasty, nutty flavor and aroma, brown butter is a simple ingredient that will enhance the overall flavor of nearly any dish that calls for butter. Start by slicing chilled unsalted butter into 1/2-inch pieces. Add to a light-colored, stainless steel saucepan and melt over medium-high heat, stirring frequently with a whisk or spatula to avoid burning. As the butter begins to foam, the color will change from yellow to light brown. Trick: Spoon some of the melted butter onto a white dish. Brown flecks mean it’s done.

Tip #4: Rolling cookie dough

Do you love making cutout cookies but avoid it because of the flour that seems to get on every surface of your kitchen in the rolling process? Rolling cookie dough doesn’t have to be messy! Start by cutting two pieces of parchment paper to fit a baking sheet. Place slightly chilled cookie dough between the sheets and use a rolling pin in the center to roll away from your body, rotating often to ensure an even thickness. Finally, chill the dough in the refrigerator for 20 minutes to solidify fat and retain its shape before peeling off the top layer of parchment paper. Now you’re ready for the fun part: cookie cutters!

Tip #5: Preventing cookie-cutter stick

With your cookie dough prepared and rolled, it’s time to pick your cookie cutters. Sprinkle a small amount of flour on the counter and dip the cookie cutter into the flour before stamping it firmly into the dough. This minuscule amount of flour doesn’t change the consistency of the dough, and it’s a helpful way to promote clean cookie stamps without the bothersome stick.

Tip #6: Filling a pastry bag for piping

Did you know you can create a pastry bag with items you already have at home? Start with a resealable plastic bag and trim the corner to create a tip. Next, open the bag and place it in a tall glass, folding the sides onto the outside of the glass. Use a spatula to fill 2/3 of the bag with filling. Then, unfold the bag and squeeze the filling toward the cut corner. Finally, twist the top until firmly closed and gently squeeze to pipe your baked goods. Usher in a world of deliciously filled homemade pastries and beautifully decorated desserts!

Tip #7: Continue to learn

By learning smart tips and tricks, you’ll start baking with confidence. With more than a century’s worth of experience, Nielsen-Massey Vanillas has earned a reputation as the world’s leading manufacturer of premium, pure vanilla extracts. The company is unveiling new baking technique videos, pro tips from their team and delicious seasonal recipes. Visit BetterYourBake.com to follow along and get involved in the baking conversation by sharing your master creations using #BetterYourBake.


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5 ways to elevate your home decor through minimalism

2019-08-15T11:01:00

(BPT) – The latest trends in home decor reveal a desire for a feeling of tranquility and calmness, perhaps as a response to today’s overly busy and distracted lifestyles. From Marie Kondo’s decluttering craze to a return to natural materials in home design, everyone is looking for a way to create a peaceful, less hectic inner space. When it comes to home decor, less is definitely more.

How can you tap into this yen for a little more Zen?

1. Simplify your design strategy

When revamping your room to create a more minimalist effect, choose a limited color palette, meaning one to three colors at most. Select mostly more muted or neutral colors, though you can use one vivid color in a piece of furniture or art to grab the spotlight.

Let the textures of the materials that you use for the floors, walls, ceilings and furnishings — whether they are natural wood, stone, ceramics, glass, tile, fabrics or canvas — create the room’s visual interest instead of yesterday’s too-busy colors and patterns. Choose a couple of contrasting textures, like glass and reclaimed lumber, or woven fabric and stone, to highlight in the room for the best effect.

2. Declutter your spaces

Decide what items you really want and need to be in each room and get rid of the rest — or find a way to store it neatly, preferably out of sight. One of the greatest visual clutter culprits today comes from technology. It’s hard to know what to do with the mass and tangle of cords from all the latest gadgets, power strips and chargers everyone uses in their homes.

To streamline the technology you use for viewing TV, movies and more, a product from LG Electronics USA can solve your cord clutter problem and turn your living room into an amazing home viewing theater. The LG CineBeam AI ThinQ 4K Laser Projector (HU85LA) creates an impressive 90- to 120-inch cinematic screen by placing it just 2.2 to 7.2 inches away from the wall, needing no complicated installation. With its streamlined and compact design, the state-of-the-art projector incorporates LG’s ThinQ AI and has the Google Assistant built-in so you can control your compatible smart home devices with just your voice.

3. Choose furnishings with clean lines

When you’re selecting new furniture for your minimalist rooms, look for high-quality, standout pieces designed with clean lines, with no fussy design details or busy patterns. Don’t acquire more furniture than the room really needs. Chances are you can do without all those end tables and extra chairs.

Make one exceptional, stylish piece of furniture be the focal point for each room, and don’t over-furnish or over-decorate the space around it. Then avoid the urge to smother the couch or sectional with tons of blankets and throw pillows. Let the furniture speak for itself.

4. Streamline artistic expression

Instead of filling every wall with pictures, choose just one accent wall, eliminating excessive decor elements around it. Let one work of art dominate that space, reducing any competition for attention.

The LG CineBeam Laser Projector can display a chosen photograph or work of art on your accent wall. With 8.3 million pixels, it delivers impeccable precision and detail at four times the resolution of full HD, along with incredibly vibrant color reproduction. It works without the need to darken the room around it, using gentle light that produces clear images without any harsh brightness.

5. Leave plenty of open space

Resist the urge to fill every corner and surface of the room with ornaments and knickknacks. It’s the open space, unencumbered by any visual clutter, that creates the feeling of calm and tranquility you’re craving.

And if you’re lucky enough to have a great view out the window, install only simple, streamlined window treatments — or no window treatments at all — to highlight that view.

Minimalist decor is all about making careful choices and choosing the best quality furnishings and decor over quantity of items. You can turn any room into a beautiful showcase that you’d be happy to entertain and live in, with some thoughtful decision-making. To learn more about improving your home technology, visit LG.com.


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4 home fix-ups for fall

2019-08-15T10:03:10

(BPT) – With cooler days and temperate weather, fall is a good time to get outdoors and tackle some larger home projects, as well as prep your home for winter.

“Cold weather can wreak havoc on your house, leaving you with a long list of repairs,” said Cathy McHugh, director, brand management at DAP. “It’s important to take preventative action now so you can enjoy the coming weather change, rather than making costly repairs later.”

Don’t know where to start? Here are the top five “must-do” repairs from the experts at DAP.

Refresh around windows and doors

Temperature fluctuations and weather extremes can cause cracks and crumbling in sealants around windows and doors. The resulting gaps allow air to creep inside, putting your energy bills on overdrive. In addition, if current sealant has any dirt build-up, the hot and humid weather of summer can foster mold and mildew. Protect your home and give your windows and doors a refresh and waterproof seal that stands up to the elements by applying a new exterior sealant like Dynaflex Ultra Advanced Exterior Sealant that will provide long-lasting all-weather, waterproof protection, resisting dirt build-up and water absorption. It also comes with a lifetime mold-, mildew- and algae-resistant guarantee. It’s easy to apply and is paint-ready in just an hour, allowing you to quickly repair problem areas.

Repair imperfections and surface damage

It’s important to take a walk around your property and inspect your home and outdoor living areas for surface damage issues caused by hail, wind and heavy rain. Common damage includes cracks in sidewalks and driveways, as well as chips in siding. Address problem areas like these with an exterior filler, which can fill in exposed, vulnerable areas and prevent further damage. To save time and money, choose a multipurpose filler designed specifically for exterior repairs like Platinum Patch Advanced Exterior Filler, formulated with innovative Weather MaxTechnology for long-lasting, all weather protection. The mold-, mildew- and algae-resistant formula creates a durable bond that prevents discoloration, as well as cracking and crumbling over time. It is sandable and paintable and offers superior adhesion to porous and non-porous building materials such as brick, concrete, metal, composite or wood decks, vinyl or fiber cement siding, PVC trim board and more.

Inspect your roof

Start by making a simple visual inspection of your roof. Before hauling out the ladder, use binoculars or zoom in with a smartphone camera to spot obvious damage. If your roof has a relatively flat surface and you feel comfortable on a ladder, then go up for a closer look. Shingles that are cracked, buckled, loose or are missing granules need to be replaced. And of course, while you’re up there, be sure to clear any clogged gutters to prevent potential water damage.

Prepare your furnace for fall

Now is the time to prepare your furnace for fall. Change the filter, clean vents and remove any dirt or dust that has settled on the unit and connections. If you suspect problems, schedule a professional to check it out now — rather than wait until temperatures drop.

For more information to help tackle your to-do list, visit DAP.com.


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Cutting-edge tumor tests reveal new cancer treatment options

2019-08-15T09:10:30

(BPT) – In the fall of 2017, Elissa Reynolds was shocked by a stage four colorectal cancer diagnosis at 35 years old. Almost two years later, she has hope for the future thanks to innovative tests on her living tumor tissue, which revealed personalized treatment options for her specific cancer.

“After my diagnosis, I was determined to do whatever it took to beat cancer, so I began researching all of the treatment options I could,” she said. “Meeting my oncologist, Dr. Christina Saurel, and surgeon, Dr. Ken Dixon, gave me a whole new perspective on the level of innovative care I could receive locally.”

While Reynolds and her health care team initially started a traditional chemotherapy course, due to the advanced nature of her cancer, they also considered other treatment methods.

“Because Elissa presented with an advanced colon cancer that had spread to her liver, we were uncertain of her care and had to think outside the box,” Saurel said. “Although one of her tumors responded to chemotherapy and shrank to the point Dr. Dixon could remove it, the other tumor did not, which meant we had to get creative.”

A new option for personalized treatment

Reynolds had other options to consider because Dixon preserved her living tumor tissue and shipped it to a state-of-the-art laboratory, where specialists tested the cells with more than 130 drugs to see what potential future treatments would be most effective.

No two cancers are the same, and Dixon knew that her living tumor sample could offer information on how to treat her unique cancer that a traditional tissue sample could not. He feels so strongly about this matter that he founded SpeciCare, an organization dedicated to helping patients across the country preserve their living tumor tissue for their own benefit.

“Under current practice guidelines, cancer tissue dies when it is removed, which limits the information it can provide,” Dixon said. “However, if a tumor is preserved alive and tested, it has the power to unlock the secret to personalized care. SpeciCare links research, clinical care and precision medicine, so patients have the greatest chance at survival.”

Looking toward the future

The tests on Reynolds’ living tumor tissue found 20 new treatment options for her care team to consider that likely would have remained unknown if Dixon had not preserved her tumor. In fact, none of the new therapy options revealed through the tests are commonly used for metastatic colorectal cancer; traditionally, they are prescribed for other cancers, such as leukemia and breast cancer.

“Cancer is very tricky — you can’t always predict how a person’s unique cancer will react to a drug based on its location,” said Dixon.

For Reynolds, it doesn’t matter how the drugs are normally used; her only concern is whether they kill her tumor cells. Now, because of the new treatment options available to her, Reynolds knows that if her cancer stops responding to one drug, there are other therapies she can try. Also, her living tumor tissue tests helped identify two clinical trials she can pursue.

“Without SpeciCare, there would be no more options for me; I’d be living with the tumor. Now this is giving me hope of shrinking it and having it removed,” Reynolds said. “This has opened up so many more options for treatment. It’s been a crazy journey, but it’s also been pretty miraculous.”

To learn more, visit specicare.com/hope or call 833-242-2873.