Month: April 2021

2021-04-22T08:01:00

(BPT) – For many people, raising a child is one of life’s greatest adventures. If your child is healthy and happy, you’re a lucky parent. Not all families are so fortunate. Of more than 100,000 people currently on the national organ transplant waiting list, more than 1,900 are children, over one-third of them under 6 years old. Due to the unique requirements of pediatric organ donation, many continue to wait, hoping for a brighter future.

The unique nature of pediatric organ transplants

The need for organs is only growing, but for many types of transplantation, young children often need to receive an organ from a donor of similar age and size, a requirement that frequently means a lack of availability. Approximately 100 children die each year due to this critical shortage, but they don’t have to — just one organ and tissue donor can save up to eight lives and enhance the lives of as many as 75 people.

Following the tragic passing of their 2-year-old son Lane Thomas Graves in 2016, Matthew and Melissa Graves formed the nonprofit The Lane Thomas Foundation (LTF) to honor his legacy, his love of life and the joy and light he brought to others. The foundation is dedicated to raising awareness about pediatric organ donation through its Keep Love Alive campaign and by supporting children who need life-saving transplants and their families.

“Losing a child is unbearable no matter the circumstances,” Matt says. “People who make the decision to donate their child’s organs are heroes. We want to spread the word and encourage families to have the conversation. Our vision is that no child dies waiting for a transplant. In the event of tragedy, we feel that there’s no better way to honor your child than to give life to another child.”

Giving the most precious gift: Life

Lauressa Gillock, North Platte, Nebraska, made the decision to donate the organs of her 3-year-old daughter, Olivia, who passed away from brain cancer, gifting Olivia’s intestines to Angelo, her liver to Lucas, her kidneys to Scott, her corneas to a fellow Nebraskan and her heart to a little boy named KeVon in Mississippi.

“Nothing can prepare you for the devastation of losing a child,” says Gillock, now a pediatric organ donation advocate and an ambassador for LTF. “However, people are alive today because of my daughter. Being part of a decision that has saved several people’s lives gives me a reason to live.”

Gillock later met KeVon, now 8 years old, who received his heart transplant at 22 months old, an emotional meeting captured in the foundation’s newly released #KeepLove Alive PSA.

“This little boy is running, playing and feels joy and has a full life because of my little girl,” she says. “I felt Olivia’s heart beating in his chest. This is one very important way her legacy lives on. When people question why they should donate, I say, ‘Why wouldn’t you?’”

Discuss organ donation for the whole family

While you may have discussed organ donation for yourself or other adults in your household, you may not have discussed it in regard to your children. Hopefully, you’ll never have to face the decision, but if you do, it’s helpful to know how you feel about it ahead of time.

More stats about organ donation according to Donate Life:

• The largest U.S. football stadium could not fit the number of patients on the national transplant waiting list, and another person is added to the list every 10 minutes.
• 95% of Americans are in favor of being a donor but only 58% are registered.
  

Take action today

April is National Donate Life Awareness Month and April 18-24 is Pediatric Organ Donation Week. Now is the time to start the conversation, discussing with family and friends how making a commitment to organ donation can save lives.

Learn more about what you can do at www.lanethomas.org, where you can take the “Lane’s Light Pledge” and make a donation to support families of children undergoing organ transplant. Parents can register on the national organ registry at www.donatelife.net/register, which is also available for sign-up by adults and driving-age children during driver’s license sign-up/renewal in many states.

2021-04-21T12:01:01

(BPT) – Brunch is the perfect pairing of morning delights and mid-day favorites. Whether celebrating holidays, anniversaries, friendships or simply a sunny Sunday, brunch is guaranteed to satisfy and bring smiles.

“From making pancakes with the kids on Saturday mornings to frittatas and mimosas with the best of friends, brunch foods are the ultimate in connection and warmth,” said Faith Durand, editor-in-chief of Kitchn, a cooking and lifestyle website whose brunch recipes in particular have continued to gain in popularity.

Take your spring brunch to the next level by incorporating a crowd-pleaser like apples. Big, beautiful Envy™ apples uniquely deliver a delightful crunch, uplifting aroma, and a sophisticated, balanced sweetness, making them a perfect addition to both savory and sweet dishes. What’s more, Envy™ apples remain white and crisp upon slicing, so brunch spreads will stay fresh and eye-catching.

Sweet or savory, brunch offers a range of possibilities for a creative sunny-day spread:

Brunch boards: The popularity of charcuterie boards has inspired countless spinoffs and one of the most delicious and customizable is the Brunch Board. While the concept is simple, the presentation is impressive. Find a large platter and arrange all your favorites in an eye-pleasing fashion. For example, place a row of mini pancakes or crepes on the platter between sweet and savory items, with sliced Envy™ apples and assorted fruit on one side and hard-boiled eggs, bacon and sausage on the other.

Avocado toast: With the massive popularity of avocado toast, adding this dish to your brunch is a no-brainer. To make your brunch special, upgrade standard ingredients for added flavor. Thin, crisp Envy™ slices, lime juice, chopped chives and shaves of fresh Parmesan take this quintessential brunch treat to the next level. Prepare slices for the entire table or invite guests to express their creativity with an avocado toast bar.

Fruit-enhanced bakery: Add a touch of sweetness and irresistible crunch to baked goods by adding diced Envy™ apple. Pancakes, muffins, crepes — the possibilities are endless.

Sharable sizes: Brunch is all about bringing people together, and sharable items are the perfect way to please all palates. A platter of sliced fruit, including large Envy™ apples that are naturally the perfect size for slicing and sharing, brings vibrant color to the spread and is also a delicious and healthy addition to brunch. You can’t beat the refreshing crunch in balancing out other savory or salty foods.

To celebrate all things brunch, Envy™ is the official fruit partner of Kitchn’s 2021 Brunch Fest, taking place Sunday, May 2, on Instagram @thekitchn. “With our first ever Brunch Fest social takeover, we’re celebrating the dishes and drinks that wake us up, bring our families together, and give us a reason to say cheers with the people we love,” said Durand.

Audiences can tune in live at 2:50 p.m. ET to Breakfast Superstars: Savory French Toast in partnership with Envy™ apples as award-winning baker and blogger, Kate Wood, talks with Kitchn’s Assistant Food Editor, Nicole Rufus, and together they show how to make a savory French toast with melted gruyere cheese and fresh apple salsa.

Find recipes and more information on EnvyForBrunch.com.

Spring Vegetable and Envy™ Apple Orzo

This brunch recipe celebrates spring by pairing the sophisticated sweet flavor and crunch of Envy™ apples with seasonal fresh asparagus and umami-rich shiitake mushrooms. Tossed with a bright and zesty lemon vinaigrette, this delightful dish can star as an entrée or serve as a side.

Ingredients:

For the asparagus:

1 bunch asparagus, ends trimmed and cut into 1-inch pieces

1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil

1/2 teaspoon kosher salt

For the mushrooms:

4 cups shiitake mushrooms, stems removed, sliced

1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil

1/2 teaspoon kosher salt

For the vinaigrette:

2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil

3 tablespoons lemon juice

1 teaspoon kosher salt

40 turns fresh cracked pepper

2 cups orzo pasta

1 Envy™ apple, small diced

4 tablespoons chopped parsley

Directions:

Preheat oven to 400 degrees.

Toss the asparagus in olive oil and salt and spread out on half of a sheet tray.

Toss the mushrooms in the olive oil and salt and spread out on the remaining half of the sheet tray. Roast in the oven until asparagus and mushrooms are tender, about 10 minutes.

Whisk together the vinaigrette ingredients until well combined.

Cook the orzo in salted boiling water according to package directions. Drain well and then toss with the vinaigrette. Fold in the asparagus, mushrooms, apples and parsley. Serve warm.

2021-04-21T08:01:00

(BPT) – Heather, of Yorba Linda, California, was diagnosed with a form of leukemia, acute myeloid leukemia (AML), in late 2017. One morning, when she woke up extremely pale and covered with bruises, she sought medical help to see what was wrong. After contacting her doctor, who ran her bloodwork and found her levels were significantly lower than average, she was rushed to the ER.

“I was pretty near death at that time,” Heather said. It was after her ER visit that she found out she had AML. Heather went through many rounds of chemotherapy followed by a stem cell transplant in the summer of 2018.

Throughout the entire process, Heather’s husband, three children, and her family stayed by her side. She is also thankful for The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS) for providing her with the information she needed as a newly diagnosed patient and for its large community of other AML patients and survivors.

Unfortunately, Heather’s story is one of many. Approximately every 3 minutes, someone in the U.S. is diagnosed with a blood cancer, including leukemia, lymphoma, and myeloma. When it comes to leukemia, the five-year survival rate has quadrupled since the 1960s because of a longstanding investment in scientific research. However, when it comes to the most common form of leukemia in adults, acute myeloid leukemia (AML), only one in four people survive five years after diagnosis.

1) What is leukemia?

Leukemia is a cancer of the blood and marrow, the spongy center inside the bones where blood cells are made. The four major types of leukemia are:

• Acute myeloid leukemia (AML)
• Chronic myeloid leukemia (CML)
• Acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL)
• Chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL)

Acute leukemias are rapidly progressing diseases, and chronic leukemias usually progress more slowly.

2) What is acute myeloid leukemia (AML)?

AML is one of the deadliest blood cancers, taking the lives of more than 11,000 Americans each year. AML starts in the bone marrow and often quickly moves into the blood. And while AML can impact people of all age groups, those 60 years and older are more likely to develop the disease.

3) What are some of the signs and symptoms of AML?

Unlike some cancers, AML does not have any recommended screening tests. Acute leukemias, such as AML, usually develop quickly and are found because of signs or symptoms that are reported to a healthcare provider. Many people start to notice signs and symptoms early on like:

• Pale skin
• Headaches
• Frequent infections
• Unusual bleeding
• Fatigue
• Bone pain
• Shortness of breath
• Easy bruising

4) What are some research efforts helping to bring new treatments to AML patients?

LLS is changing the future for AML patients by leveraging the promise of science through its:

• Beat AML Master Clinical Trial, the first collaborative precision medicine clinical trial for blood cancer. The trial currently enrolls newly diagnosed patients aged 60 or older and uses advanced genomic technology to match patients to the most promising targeted treatment based on their unique genetic mutations.
• Support of more than 70 AML research projects across its grants portfolio and Therapy Acceleration Program^® (TAP), totaling more than $56.9 million in multi-year funding.
• LLS PedAL will be the first global precision medicine clinical trial for children with relapsed acute leukemia. LLS is currently laying the groundwork for this trial.

5) No one should have to go through an AML diagnosis alone. Contact LLS Information Specialists for free, one-on-one support at (800) 955-4572 or visit www.lls.org/patientsupport.

2021-04-21T08:31:00

(BPT) – Make no mistake: The past several months have been challenging — both financially and emotionally — when it comes to the disruption the COVID-19 global pandemic brought to our everyday lives.

In its latest Financial Wellness Census Special Report, Prudential found that since May 2020, the proportion of Americans who say they’re financially struggling has more than doubled, to 46% from 22%. Furthermore, 44% cite decreased confidence in meeting their financial goals, and 31% say their ability to achieve those goals is out of their control.

In addition, 18% of people surveyed are taking on debt, and many are borrowing or withdrawing from their 401(k) (11%), IRA (6%) and life insurance (6%) as a result of the pandemic.

Challenging is an understatement. However, this year brings hope, resilience and a light at the end of the long tunnel.

“A once-in-a-lifetime pandemic tragically affected all of us this past year,” said Brad Hearn, president, Retail Advice and Solutions at Prudential. “2021 will be a year of resilience and we’re emboldened by our commitment to help folks feel secure in their personal roadmap to financial security.”

Now is the time to invest in your financial education and grow your financial literacy skills; and it’s not as daunting as it may seem.

In honor of Financial Literacy Month, here are five steps you can take to be actionable in your financial education.

Step 1: Take a step back and reassess

As we look to start fresh in a post-pandemic world, take a proverbial step back to reevaluate your “big picture” financial situation. Ask yourself questions such as, “Are my needs the same as they were back in 2020?” and “What are my goals for 2021?” This type of questioning will help you uncover main topics for your financial education.

It may be to map your retirement plans, to save for that big purchase or to invest in the markets. Whatever the case, not assessing your current picture can inhibit your potential of using financial education to your advantage.

Step 2: Create a savings net

The Census Report found that one-third of people have taken money from their savings to cover current costs, with 20% having reduced or exhausted their emergency savings (less than 50% had emergency savings to begin with), yet only 6% have developed a formal financial plan.

For the base of your financial education, you’ll need something sturdy to work off of such as a savings net. Without one, you’re putting yourself and loved ones at risk for any future unexpected costs to address, hampering your financial confidence and security.

Generally, three to six months of emergency savings is a good target for most people. While that figure may sound lofty, start with small automated contributions to your savings account each month.

Step 3: Create a budget (and stick to it)

What goes together with your emergency savings is your budget, the heart of your financial education progression. Making and using a budget doesn’t have to be hard.

Redefine what a budget means for you by simply looking at your income source(s), and your current spending vs. what you need to spend to achieve your financial goals — such as buying a house, taking a vacation, retiring early, etc. Take a look online at examples of how others creatively budget; allow yourself to feel inspired instead of dispirited.

Empowering yourself through this exercise — and sticking to your defined budget — will help alleviate stress and increase confidence toward your financial future.

“Being disciplined with your income and spending sets the tone for achieving financial security,” Hearn said. “There are a wealth of resources available when it comes to budgeting — from your employer or online budgeting tools, for example — that are often massively underutilized.”

Step 4: Tap into your community

Speaking of underutilized, programs in your local community can serve as a critical (and often untapped) financial lifeline to individuals anxious about money and the future.

Research what’s taking place in your town or city when it comes to financial education training or courses. Local Chamber of Commerce or community college websites are typically a good place to start, where courses typically go for a nominal fee (or free) and can offer a wealth of education.

Also, local community partners and nonprofits are quality outside resources to consider when it comes to starting or continuing your financial education.

Step 5: Seek guidance from a financial professional

Outside of your personal financial education, seek the advice and resources of a financial professional this year, who can help reaffirm your learnings and be a critical tool in following the North Star that is your financial security. You can get connected with many financial professionals when you answer a few simple questions about your goals at a number of websites, such as prudential.com.

“When it comes to finding advice and guidance, there’s a wide spectrum available that spans from digital-only to direct human interaction,” Hearn said. “Throughout the pandemic, we’ve seen an uptick in more people wanting to connect with human beings outside of our digital capabilities when it comes to their current financial situation.”

Depending on your preference, professional advice is always accessible, no matter where you are in your unique financial education journey.

The Prudential Insurance Company of America and its affiliates Newark, NJ.

2021-04-20T07:31:01

(BPT) – Cooper Tire is hosting “Driven to Perform” — a nationwide garage band contest in partnership with legendary rocker Alice Cooper. Cooper Tire and Alice Cooper teamed up to scour the nation and identify three talented American garage bands — Suspect208, South of Eden and Ashland. Fans can check out the bands’ original work and a cover of Alice Cooper’s song, “Under My Wheels,” and vote at www.DrivenToPerformConcert.com. Make your vote by April 28! The victorious band will get the opportunity of a lifetime to open for Evanescence in a livestream performance on May 13.

2021-04-19T16:01:02

(BPT) – If you use formula to feed your baby, it’s important to look at the ingredients to ensure you’re providing the best possible nutrition. Formula is more than just food — it provides essential vitamins and nutrients to help support immune health and brain development. Knowing what ingredients to look for can help you support your child’s well-being and provide you with peace of mind.

“Not all infant formulas are created the same,” says Dr. Christina Valentine, neonatologist and medical director, North American RB Nutrition. “It’s important to research different options and seek out specific ingredients to support baby’s development in the first year of life.”

Dr. Valentine recommends Enfamil NeuroPro, from the #1 pediatrician recommended formula brand, for infants in their first year because it provides complete nutrition from these key ingredients to support cognitive development, immune health and overall well-being:

DHA: Docosahexaenoic acid, more commonly referred to as DHA, is an omega-3 fatty acid. During the early years of baby’s development, DHA supports both cognitive development and nervous system development. Clinical studies have demonstrated that DHA helps support certain learning outcomes, visual acuity and overall brain development in babies. Enfamil NeuroPro is the only leading formula that has omega-3 DHA in amounts that global experts^[*] recommend for your baby.

Prebiotics: You probably have heard about the importance of gut health for adults, but it’s just as important for infants. Look for formulas that contain prebiotics, which help stimulate the growth of friendly bacteria found in the gut by acting as food for the bacteria. Being that prebiotics are the third-largest component in breast milk, it is important to look for a formula that has prebiotics to help support immune health.

“By keeping these key ingredients top of mind you’re already ahead of the game with keeping your baby’s best interests in mind,” says Dr. Valentine. “Ensuring that your baby is getting nutrients for cognitive development and immune support is paramount. That’s why I recommend Enfamil NeuroPro, which has global-expert* recommended amounts of DHA and dual prebiotics, as a great first step.”

NeuroPro is also available in Gentlease and Sensitive varieties for a variety of infant needs. Learn more at www.enfamil.com.