Month: September 2026

2026-09-22T16:11:00

(BPT) – September is Childhood Cancer Awareness Month, a time to raise awareness of pediatric cancers and recognize the children and families affected by these diseases.

According to Children’s Cancer Cause, approximately 15,000 children and adolescents are diagnosed with cancer each year in the U.S. There are more than 13 major types of pediatric cancers and more than 200 subtypes. One rare but incredibly challenging type of childhood cancer is high-risk neuroblastoma.

“Neuroblastoma is a cancer that develops from immature nerve cells and most commonly affects infants and young children,” said Michele Ritter, a pediatric oncology nurse practitioner who worked closely with patients for over 30 years and now serves as a Clinical Nurse Educator at US WorldMeds. “While some forms can be treated successfully, children with high-risk neuroblastoma face a particularly difficult journey.”

To help shine a light on high-risk neuroblastoma, highlight the importance of maintenance treatment and celebrate the role of caregivers, Ritter has answered some of the most common questions about high-risk neuroblastoma.

Why is high-risk neuroblastoma considered one of the most challenging childhood cancers?

The disease is aggressive and carries a significant risk of relapse, even after intensive treatment. Advances in treatment have improved outcomes, but preventing relapse remains one of the biggest challenges for families and healthcare providers.

Many people assume treatment ends when a child is declared cancer-free. Why is the period after remission still so important?

Achieving remission is a major milestone worth celebrating. However, it doesn’t always mean the journey is over. Even when scans show no evidence of disease, cancer recurrence is still a concern. That’s why physicians continue to monitor patients closely and may recommend additional strategies designed to help maintain remission and reduce the risk of relapse.

What is maintenance therapy?

After a patient has completed up-front therapy and achieved remission, they may be given maintenance therapy to help sustain the response already achieved and reduce the risk of the disease returning.

What do families need to know about the risk of relapse in high-risk neuroblastoma?

Relapse remains one of the biggest concerns in high-risk neuroblastoma. Even if children complete aggressive up-front therapy, about one-third of patients will experience relapse. That’s why physicians remain focused on helping children achieve remission and implementing strategies that may help sustain it over time.

Childhood Cancer Awareness Month shines a spotlight on patients, but what about caregivers?

Caregivers are truly unsung heroes and play a vital role throughout every stage of the cancer journey. Parents and family members often spend months or even years navigating appointments, treatments, hospital stays and emotional challenges while advocating for their children every step of the way. Childhood Cancer Awareness Month is an opportunity to recognize and celebrate the resilience, dedication and essential role caregivers play in supporting children through treatment and recovery.

What message would you like families affected by high-risk neuroblastoma to hear this Childhood Cancer Awareness Month?

Families should know there’s a real reason for hope, as advances in research and treatment continue to improve. They should also know they’re not alone. There are multiple advocacy groups that can provide support and resources, and the medical community remains deeply committed to improving treatments, reducing the risk of relapse, and helping more children thrive long after cancer treatment ends.

2026-09-21T14:31:00

(BPT) – Key takeaways:

• Occasional diarrhea is a common complaint in dogs and cats, and pet parents may not always know what to do about it.
• Diarrhea can have many causes, including stress or sudden change in diet.
• Purina Pro Plan Veterinary Supplements has created a non-prescription kit to help pet parents manage their pets’ occasional diarrhea and long-term gut health.
• Call your vet if symptoms continue, worsen, or your pet experiences vomiting or changes in appetite or energy.

When a pet has diarrhea, pet parents may not know what to do, or when it’s time to call their veterinarian. Diarrhea is one of the most common reasons pets feel under the weather, and it’s not always obvious what will actually help.

In honor of the 2026 National Cat & Dog Gut Health Awareness Day on September 21, Purina Veterinary Nutritionist Martha Cline, DVM, DACVIM, explains how pet parents can ease their pet’s tummy troubles, and keep their gut healthy so it’s less likely to happen again.

How you can help your pet feel better

Diarrhea is a common complaint in dogs and cats, with a wide range of potential causes. Two common culprits are stress and diet. A change in routine, construction noise, a new pet or baby in the house or a sudden food switch can all play a role.

One or more of these strategies can help ease your pet’s tummy troubles:

1. Keep their environment calm

Has life at home been chaotic? Help your pet relax and reset. For cats, that could mean a place to escape the hustle and bustle, like a cozy hideaway or special box. Dogs tend to do best when sticking closely to their routine. Providing extra one-on-one attention and a chew toy can also help dogs burn off nervous energy.

2. Introduce new foods more gradually

“If you’ve recently introduced a new food, it might not be sitting well with your cat or dog, especially if they have a sensitive stomach,” said Dr. Cline. “A slower introduction, or mixing it with their usual food, can help their stomach adjust.”

If your pet’s diet has not changed, a temporary switch to a highly digestible or fiber-enhanced diet may help. Consult your vet before making any dietary changes.

3. Consider a supplement created just for pets

To give your dog or cat extra support, skip the human medicine cabinet and stick to supplements designed specifically for pets.

“The best supplements for pets are created in collaboration with veterinary nutritionists who have expertise in health and nutrition,” said Dr. Cline.

FortiFlora Diarrhea Response Kit for pets (dogs; cats) with occasional diarrhea from Pro Plan Veterinary Supplements is one option. Developed by Purina scientists, it pairs FortiFlora Response stick packs for short-term use to help firm loose stools with FortiFlora sachets, the No. 1 vet-recommended probiotic brand to support digestive health*, with no prescription required. FortiFlora Response stick packs contain kaolin and pectin to soothe the GI tract during times of loose stool, and come in an easy-to-mix, liver-flavored powder you can pour right into your pet’s bowl.

“Diarrhea can be difficult for pets and pet parents, but having a plan takes a lot of the stress out of it,” said Dr. Cline. “Keeping the FortiFlora Diarrhea Response Kit on hand means you’ll be ready whenever it strikes.”

2026-09-18T12:27:00

(BPT) – Just because the Atlantic has been quiet doesn’t mean that hurricane season, or the risk of losing power, is over. In fact, late-season storms have produced some of the region’s most damaging hurricanes on record, and with them, some of the longest home power outages households have faced.

Just two years ago, Hurricane Helene, a Category 4 storm, made landfall in Florida’s Big Bend region in late September and became the deadliest hurricane to hit the U.S. mainland since Hurricane Katrina. Nearly two weeks later, Hurricane Milton, a Category 3 hurricane, made landfall near Siesta Key, Florida, and became the most intense hurricane of the 2024 season.

Don’t let a quiet fall catch you off guard. Use these 10 steps to help you prepare your household for the rest of hurricane season, power outages and beyond.

1. Know your evacuation zone before you need it

Are you in a hurricane evacuation zone? If you don’t know, take a quick look at your county’s zone map. If you’re in an evacuation zone, plan where you’ll need to go and how to get there should a hurricane land. A little preparation now can remove the guesswork later when every moment counts.

2. Keep essentials running without a gas generator

Gas generators require you to keep gas cans on hand, and if you run out during an evacuation or extended outage, it won’t be easy, and sometimes impossible, to get more. Plus, gas generators are noisy, produce fumes and put you at risk of carbon monoxide poisoning. Home battery backup systems and portable power stations, on the other hand, are ideal power sources that run quietly, produce no fumes or carbon monoxide risk, and require no fuel or refueling.

During an outage, two things matter most: keeping food safe and staying connected. A Jackery portable power station for a refrigerator can run for hours to days depending on capacity, protecting groceries and medication from spoiling while the grid is down. The same unit can keep a WiFi router and modem powered, too, so your household can keep receiving emergency alerts, checking storm updates and staying in touch with family even if cell service gets spotty.

Home solar generators like Jackery’s Explorer 5000 Plus and HomePower 3600 Plus simply need to be charged in advance, which can be done in a variety of ways, including through portable solar panels or a traditional wall outlet. Both models can also connect directly to home circuits via a Smart Transfer Switch for the former and a Manual Transfer Switch for the latter, providing essential home backup for essentials across multiple rooms: from the fridge and WiFi to lighting and other essential devices.

3. Build a two-week pantry, not a two-day one

Grid power and road access can take time to restore after late-season storms, limiting your ability to purchase necessities. Take stock of your pantry now, make a list of items you’re missing and store enough to last you for two weeks. Some supplies you should consider stocking include:

• Shelf-stable food items
• Water
• Pet food
• Diapers
• Baby formula

4. Protect the paperwork that’s hardest to replace

Insurance policies, IDs and property documents are difficult to replace if lost or damaged. Store these documents in a waterproof folder and scan and store them in the cloud, so you can rest easy knowing you’ll always have access to them.

5. Download what you’ll need offline

Your phone won’t help you if you can’t connect to a network. In case service drops, download important information that you’ll need during an evacuation. This can include maps, contact numbers and local alerts.

6. Fill the tank early

Once a storm is confirmed, people will be rushing to the pumps to fill up their tanks. Instead of waiting for the lines to get long, fill your gas tank early. Remember, a half tank two days out beats an empty one the night before.

7. Charge your portable power station while it’s calm

A portable power station like the HomePower 1000 Plus V2 is incredibly useful if your household is under an evacuation order, but only if it’s fully charged. Don’t wait until a storm watch is issued to top it up. Instead, get into the habit of charging your home battery backup year-round, so you’ll always be ready if a hurricane or anything that causes an unexpected home power outage is on the horizon.

8. Bring the outdoors in

Patio furniture, planters and other outdoor items can become dangerous projectiles in high wind conditions. If a hurricane is in the forecast, make sure to store large items like patio furniture and planters in the garage, and smaller items inside your home.

9. Check in with neighbors

During a storm, it’s important to protect each other, including your neighbors. A quick text to someone nearby, especially anyone living alone, costs nothing and matters most in the first hours after a storm passes.

10. Prepare once a season, not once a decade

Review this checklist each fall to stay prepared for late-season hurricanes and the home power outages that often follow. A five-minute refresher will help your household remember these important tips and can help you keep your home battery backup plan current as your household needs change.

Late-season hurricanes can escalate quickly, but preparation now, with a reliable portable power station or solar generator on hand, can help your household respond to an outage with greater confidence. To learn more about hurricane preparedness and home battery backup systems, visit Jackery.com.

2026-09-18T13:29:00

(BPT) – Falls are a common cause of injury throughout life, but as you age, they become both more common and more serious. About 1 in 4 older adults reports falling each year, and falls are a leading cause of injuries for people 65 and over.

The good news? Many falls can be prevented. From staying active to making your home safer, a few simple steps can reduce your risk.

Stay active. Regular physical activity builds strength, balance, flexibility and mobility, which can reduce your risk of falling. Walking, gardening, dancing, swimming and strength training are just a few ways to keep moving. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends that adults get at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic activity each week for optimal health benefits, but every step counts!

Talk with your healthcare provider. Some conditions increase your risk of falling. Ask about your personal risk factors and steps you can take to reduce them during your annual Medicare Wellness checkup.

Review your medications. Some prescriptions and over-the-counter medicines can cause dizziness, drowsiness or other side effects. Talk to a provider or pharmacist about your falls risk and read the label on your medicine to learn about precautions and potential side effects.

Stay hydrated. Drink fluids regularly throughout the day, even if you don’t feel thirsty. Not drinking enough can cause dizziness, weakness and confusion, increasing your risk of falling. Women should aim for about nine cups per day and men about 13 cups, according to the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics.

Take care of your vision. Seeing clearly helps you avoid obstacles and navigate your surroundings safely. Nightlights and motion detector lights can help light the way indoors and out. Get your vision checked regularly and keep your prescriptions up to date.

Make your home safer. Look for things that could cause you to trip or lose your balance. Keep walkways clear, improve lighting, secure or remove loose rugs, and install grab bars where you need extra support. A rubber tub mat, ideally with suction cups that create a firm seal against the floor, can help keep slippery feet on the ground.

Find a local program. Falls prevention classes and programs can help improve strength, balance and mobility while teaching you practical tips to reduce your risk of falling.

You don’t have to do everything at once. Start with one or two steps that make sense for you and build from there.

Visit the Eldercare Locator, a public service of the Administration for Community Living, to help you find falls prevention programs and other services in your area or call 800-677-1116.

2026-09-18T08:01:00

(BPT) – Key takeaways:

• Hardwood floors are valued for their beauty, warmth and endurance.
• Refinishing protects the lifespan, appearance and value of hardwood floors.
• Zack Clavin, Bona’s “Floor Doctor,” recommends waterborne floor finishing systems, and hiring an expert to do the job right the first time.
• Bona’s Waterborne System provides durable, low-odor, low-VOC products (including finishes, sealers, stains, cleaners and more) designed to work together to restore, beautify and protect hardwood floors.

Hardwood floors have an enduring appeal few other flooring materials can match. Beautiful, durable and unique, each floor brings the warmth and character of natural wood into a home, creating a surface that evolves and lasts for generations. In fact, a 2026 Bona survey found that 87% of homeowners rank flooring among the home features they’re most willing to invest in.

Over time, even well-maintained hardwood floors can begin to show signs of everyday wear. Scratches, fading, worn areas or a dull finish that regular cleaning can’t address may signal that it’s time to consider refinishing. More than a cosmetic refresh, refinishing restores the floor’s appearance and protective finish, while bringing new life to the natural beauty of the wood and helping it stand up to years of use.

“By refinishing floors, you’re preserving their durability and restoring their beauty, which is an investment in the long-term value of this vital part of your home,” said Bona’s “Floor Doctor,” Zack Clavin. “You can even use Bona waterborne finishes to adjust the color and sheen of the floor while helping them wear better.”

Where to start when thinking of refinishing your hardwood floors

Ready to bring your worn hardwood floors back to life, but not sure where to start? You’re not alone. Bona found that nearly two-thirds (62%) of homeowners experience at least moderate anxiety about floor refinishing projects.

With autumn being an ideal time to refresh hardwood floors, Clavin shares five common refinishing mistakes homeowners make — and how to avoid them.

1. Thinking refinishing is a DIY job

You can find countless TikTok and YouTube videos on how to refinish your floors, but this is one home improvement project where going the DIY route can quickly become a costly mistake. Improper sanding, uneven stain application or rushing drying times can lead to disappointing results that take even more time and money to correct.

For your floor refinishing project, work with a trained flooring professional who understands the precision and craftsmanship it requires, as well as how the right products and techniques work together to get the job done right the first time, saving homeowners added stress, time and expense.

2. Hiring a contractor at random

Deciding to hire a professional is just the first step. Finding the right one matters just as much. Not every contractor brings the same level of skill and expertise to a refinishing project, so Clavin recommends looking beyond a quick online search for a flooring professional with proven experience, proper training and a track record you can trust. Bona Certified Craftsmen, for example, are hand-selected, highly skilled professionals trained in the latest refinishing techniques, giving homeowners confidence that their floors are in experienced hands from start to finish.

Find a Bona Certified Craftsman near you to ensure your floor will be properly and beautifully refinished.

3. Selecting the wrong products

The products used to refinish your hardwood floors can make all the difference in how they look, perform and hold up over time. Rather than selecting a stain, sealer or finish in isolation, Clavin recommends using a complete system designed to work together throughout the refinishing process.

“It’s a common misconception that waterborne finishes aren’t as durable as oil-based finishes,” said Clavin. “However, Taber tests prove Bona waterborne finishes withstand wear and tear better than oil-modified finishes.”

Bona has pioneered durable, sustainable waterborne floor finish technology, with the complete Bona Waterborne System bringing together stains, sealers and finishes designed to work together to restore, beautify and protect hardwood floors. The system delivers durable performance even in high-traffic environments while preserving the natural beauty and color of the wood without ambering over time.

“Beyond durability, homeowners don’t have to choose between performance and a more comfortable refinishing experience,” added Clavin. “Bona waterborne finishes are low-odor, low-VOC and GREENGUARD certified, meaning there’s less disruption to your home during the process.”

From refinishing through ongoing maintenance, the Bona Waterborne System provides a complete approach to bringing worn hardwood back to life and helping protect that investment for years to come.

4. Choosing the cheapest materials

Selecting the least expensive refinishing option may save money upfront, but it can come at the expense of durability, and lead to refinishing again sooner than expected. Homeowners recognize that tradeoff: Bona found that 60% prioritize balancing cost and durability when making home improvement decisions, while 55% are willing to spend more upfront for long-term quality.

Investing in high-quality products can help that investment go further. Bona’s waterborne finishes can provide durable protection for well over a decade with proper care, helping extend the time between refinishing projects.

“A waterborne finish may cost more upfront, but is better for your home and the environment,” Clavin said. “The investment you put into refinishing your hardwood floors today will pay off in the long run.”

5. Forgetting about drying and cure times

A refinishing project doesn’t end when the final coat goes down. Dry and cure times determine when you can safely walk on your floors, move furniture back and return to everyday life. On top of that, temperature, humidity and the type of finish can all impact timing, which is one reason fall’s typically the best season to refinish floors.

The products you choose can also make a significant difference. Oil-modified and acid-cured finishes can take two to three times longer to dry and cure than waterborne options. Bona Traffic HD, for example, dries within two to three hours before floors can be walked on in socks and fully cures in just three days, helping homeowners get back to enjoying their space sooner.

Understanding these timelines upfront can help you plan around furniture, family, pets and guests while giving the floor time to properly cure.

Frequently Asked Questions:

• How durable are waterborne finishes? High-quality waterborne floor finishes often last well over 10 years, depending on use and maintenance. Bona waterborne finishes are so durable that they’ve been chosen for use on some of the top sport floors in the world.
• Can I change my floor’s color when refinishing? Yes! Refinishing lets you update your home with a stain color and sheen level reflecting your design style. For example, Bona Chroma comes in 9 base shades which can be custom mixed to create your desired hue.
• Do I need to leave the house while hardwood floors are refinished? If your contractor uses a waterborne finish, you can stay in your home during the process.
• What’s the best time of year for floor refinishing? Humidity levels are often lower in the fall, making it easier for the finish to dry and cure. This timing also gives you a beautifully refreshed home ahead of holiday hosting.

Learn more about hardwood floor refinishing and care at Bona.com.

2026-09-17T08:01:00

(BPT) – Key takeaways:

• Parents and caregivers can help prepare a child for surgery by following fasting and medication instructions and sharing complete information about the child’s health.
• CRNAs, also known as nurse anesthesiologists or nurse anesthetists, provide anesthesia and pain management before, during and after procedures, including continuous monitoring during anesthesia.
• Visit AnesthesiaAnswers.org, a resource from the American Association of Nurse Anesthesiology (AANA), for practical information, questions to ask and recovery tips.

Facing a child’s surgery can bring many questions. To help families find clear, practical information, the American Association of Nurse Anesthesiology created AnesthesiaAnswers.org, an online resource about anesthesia, procedures and recovery.

AANA represents Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists (CRNAs), also known as nurse anesthesiologists or nurse anesthetists, who provide anesthesia and pain management before, during and after procedures.

To help families prepare, AANA offers the following guidance about what to expect before, during and after anesthesia.

What to know before surgery

You play an essential role in your child’s safety because you know them better than anyone else.

“Parents are an important part of the anesthesia safety team,” said Suzanne Wright, PhD, CRNA, FAANA, chair of AANA’s Patient Safety Advisory Panel. “Follow your child’s preoperative instructions carefully, and never hesitate to ask questions. Knowing when your child last ate, drank, or took medication, for example, can make a meaningful difference in keeping them safe during anesthesia.”

Parents will receive specific instructions for their child about when to stop eating and drinking. Following these instructions exactly helps reduce the chance that food or liquid in the stomach could enter the lungs under anesthesia, a serious complication called aspiration.

What should I know before my child gets anesthesia?

Before surgery, a CRNA or other anesthesia professional will review when your child last ate or drank, discuss your child’s health and assess their airway. Tell the CRNA about any current or recent respiratory illness — including a cold, flu or COVID-19 — and symptoms such as coughing, congestion, fever or wheezing, even if your child seems to have recovered. Recent respiratory infections can leave a child’s airway more sensitive for several weeks and may increase the risk of breathing problems during or after anesthesia. Sharing this information helps the anesthesia team assess your child’s individual risk and determine whether any changes to the anesthesia plan or timing of an elective procedure should be considered.

The CRNA will:

• Confirm past experiences: You’ll be asked how your child has done with anesthesia before and about family history of rare reactions.
• Review anesthesia plan: They will explain the plan, introduce the anesthesia professionals caring for your child and review consent forms.
• Ease anxiety: Children may receive medication to help them relax by mouth, through the nose or through an IV, depending on their age. Child life specialists may be available to help reduce anxiety.

The most important thing to do before surgery is to follow all your healthcare provider’s instructions.