Category: Brandpoint Health

2026-10-20T15:01:00

(BPT) – Key takeaways:

• Radioligand therapy (RLT) delivers targeted treatment directly to cancer cells
• The number of RLT treatment sites has expanded about sevenfold in the U.S.
• Common questions about RLT treatment answered

A cancer diagnosis used to mean choosing between the latest treatment and receiving care close to home. That’s starting to change with radioligand therapy (RLT), a treatment that pairs a cancer-seeking molecule with a radioactive particle to deliver targeted treatment directly to cancer cells. RLT is now a mainstream treatment included in NCCN guidelines and no longer limited to academic centers or late-stage therapy, with treatment sites within 30 miles for 90% of eligible patients.^1,2

“Radioligand therapy works like a tracking dog following a scent. We attach a radioactive particle to a molecule trained to recognize one specific target: a marker found predominantly on certain cancer cells,” said Dr Nabila Lehachi Waheed, DABR, Medical Director, Radiation Oncologist at the Center for Cancer and Blood Disorders in Fort Worth, Texas, a partner of OneOncology community oncology network. “Once it’s in the bloodstream, the molecule follows that target straight to the cancer cells and marks the spot, releasing radiation while limiting the impact on healthy cells nearby.”

Answering patients’ biggest questions about RLT

Waheed said eligible patients tend to ask the same three questions when they first learn about RLT: Will it work for me? Is it safe? What will my life look like during and after treatment?

“They ask how the treatment finds the cancer cells, how much radiation exposure they and their families will face, and how it will affect their day-to-day life—things like fatigue, nausea, and blood counts,” she said.

Many of the answers come back to how precisely the treatment works. RLT is designed to find a specific marker on cancer cells and deliver radiation directly to them. This approach may help limit damage to nearby healthy tissue, although side effects can still occur. Patients and caregivers should ask the care team if they are eligible, what to expect, including possible side effects, safety steps at home, and who to contact with questions.

Waheed walks through each question with patients before they commit to treatment—a level of detail she said matters as much as the science itself.

Advanced RLT treatment, closer to home

Novartis brought the first RLT to market in 2018. Since then, nearly 50,000 patients have been treated, and the number of RLT treatment sites in the U.S. has grown roughly sevenfold—expanding access to patients who need it most.³

Providing this treatment in a community setting means eligible patients have the option to receive advanced, personalized cancer care close to home. It can be woven into a broader treatment plan that includes surgery, systemic therapy, and external radiation, all coordinated in one place.

That matters to Waheed and drove her to become the first physician in Tarrant County to offer RLT to her patients.

“Where you live shouldn’t determine the quality of cancer care you receive,” Waheed said. “These treatments let patients benefit from options personalized to the biology of their cancer without leaving their families and support systems behind. Innovation only matters if patients can access it.”

As RLT continues to expand beyond academic centers and is researched for use in more types of cancer, Waheed sees it as part of a broader shift—one that keeps patients closer to the treatment they need and the people who support them through it.

Dr Nabila Lehachi Waheed has served as a paid consultant to Novartis. This article was developed and sponsored by Novartis.

References

1. Data on file. Patient location. Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corp; 2025.
2. Data on file. Pluvicto desert analysis. Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corp; 2025.
3. Data on file. Pluvicto and Lutathera site opening summary. Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corp; 2026.

2026-10-16T11:01:00

(BPT) – Sponsored by Collegium Pharmaceutical, Inc.

ADHD Awareness Month is an opportunity to help individuals and families find trusted resources, build support networks and have more productive conversations throughout their ADHD journey.

Whether it’s a child struggling to stay organized at school, a parent trying to understand changing behaviors or an adult feeling overwhelmed by everyday responsibilities, ADHD can affect nearly every aspect of daily life.^1-3 An estimated 7 million children and 15.5 million adults in the United States have been diagnosed with ADHD, yet many still feel unsure where to turn for reliable information, support and guidance.^4,5

Although navigating ADHD can feel isolating at times, no one has to do it alone.

While every person’s experience is different, there are practical steps that can be taken to feel more informed, better understood and more prepared. Here are three places to start:

1. Start With Trusted Resources

Getting started is often the hardest part. Reliable educational resources can help people better understand ADHD, learn what questions to ask and discover support available in their communities. StartTalkingADHD.com, a resource from Collegium Pharmaceutical, offers information and tools designed to help individuals and families begin conversations and identify a support network that reflects their everyday needs.

ADHD advocacy organizations, such as Children and Adults with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (CHADD), point to the value of trusted information and peer support in helping people feel understood and better equipped to navigate the condition.⁶

“We hear from families that the challenges of ADHD are not limited to one setting or part of the day. They are looking for practical and trusted information and guidance from people who understand ADHD firsthand,” said Ingrid McPhilliamy, General Manager, ADHD, Collegium Pharmaceutical. “By making those resources easier to find and share, we can help individuals and families feel more confident in taking the next step that is right for them.”

2. Build a Support Network

The impacts and signs of ADHD can often vary from one moment or setting to the next.⁷

“Because ADHD isn’t experienced in just one place or at one time of day, support should not come from just one source,” said Krista Mason, Director of Development, CHADD. “A network of people who understand an individual’s routines and experiences can help them feel supported in the moments that matter most.”

This network may include family members, friends, educators, coaches, workplace contacts, community organizations or others who understand your most important routines. The right mix will look different for everyone, but bringing these perspectives together can create a fuller picture of where additional support may be useful.

3. Prepare for More Meaningful Conversations with a Healthcare Provider

Keeping track of everyday experiences can make conversations with healthcare providers more productive.

“It can be helpful to come prepared with a list of things that have felt challenging since you last spoke with your healthcare provider,” said Naomi Myrick, MSN, APRN, PMHNP-BC. “Talking through those observations — many of which happen outside of the clinic — can allow for more informed conversations.”

Following your visits, use these notes as ongoing reminders to compare growth and challenge areas.

Support needs may evolve as routines, environments and life stages change. Continuing to chat with others in your network about what they are noticing can help keep conversations with your healthcare provider focused on your real-life experience and needs.

ADHD support can begin with a single step. Whether you’re seeking answers for yourself or your loved one, finding reliable information, building a trusted support network and preparing for conversations with a healthcare provider can make a meaningful difference.

Visit StartTalkingADHD.com to learn more.

CHADD receives funding from Collegium Pharmaceutical, Inc. Naomi Myrick works with Collegium Pharmaceutical, Inc. as a paid consultant. The views expressed are those of the author(s).

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References

1. Sallee FR. Early Morning Functioning in Stimulant-Treated Children and Adolescents with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder, and its Impact on Caregivers. J Child Adolesc Psychopharmacol. 2015 Sep;25(7):558-65.
2. Giannakopoulos, George. “Adolescents with ADHD in the school environment: A comprehensive review of academic, social, and emotional challenges and interventions.” Journal of Clinical Images and Medical Case Reports (2025): n. pag.
3. French B, Nalbant G, Wright H, Sayal K, Daley D, Groom MJ, Cassidy S, Hall CL. The impacts associated with having ADHD: an umbrella review. Front Psychiatry. 2024 May 21;15:1343314.
4. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Data on ADHD in Children. Available at: https://www.cdc.gov/adhd/data/index.html. Estimate based on 2024 National Survey of Children’s Health data. Accessed September 2026.
5. Staley BS, Robinson LR, Claussen AH, et al. Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder Diagnosis, Treatment, and Telehealth Use in Adults — National Center for Health Statistics Rapid Surveys System, United States, October–November 2023. MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep. 2024;73(40):890-895.
6. Children and Adults with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (CHADD). Uniting in Understanding: The Role of Peer Support. Available at: https://chadd.org/adhd-news/adhd-news-adults/attention-uniting-in-understanding-the-role-of-peer-support/. Accessed September 2026.
7. Pedersen SL, Kennedy TM, Joseph HM, Riston SJ, Kipp HL, Molina BSG. Real-World Changes in Adolescents’ ADHD Symptoms within the Day and across School and Non-school Days. J Abnorm Child Psychol. 2020 Dec;48(12):1543-1553.

© Collegium Pharmaceutical, Inc. All rights reserved. PP-PORT-US-0281 10/26

2026-10-15T10:01:01

(BPT) – Teresa Barnes knows on a deeply personal level the impact that a devastating rare disease can have on a family. Over the course of 10 years, she watched her father, aunt and three uncles die from an incurable lung disease called idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis.

IPF causes irreversible loss of lung function and impacts approximately 150,000 people in the United States. For patients, the lack of effective treatment options makes the need for new therapies especially urgent.

With family history being a risk factor for IPF, Teresa is concerned that her generation, as well as her teenaged daughter, may also face this disease.

Urgent need for rare disease innovation

Motivated by the need for faster progress in rare disease innovation and treatment options, Teresa is raising awareness about the FAIR Act (H.R. 7953), bipartisan legislation that was introduced in Congress in March. The FAIR Act would modernize how the U.S. Food and Drug Administration evaluates therapies for rare and life-threatening diseases.

More than 30 million Americans are living with a rare disease, yet the vast majority of them do not have an FDA-approved treatment. In some cases, Americans with rare diseases are waiting for access to clinical trials and treatments that are already available abroad.

A recent analysis of the FDA’s “Novel Drug Approvals” annual reports showed that between 2018 and 2025, 119 novel drugs were first approved outside the U.S. before they received FDA approval. Of these drugs, approximately half were for rare diseases, known as orphan drugs. Additionally, significant delays can exist in bringing new treatments to the U.S., with U.S. drug approvals lagging ex-U.S. approvals by months and sometimes even years.

Giving rare disease patients a voice

“For people with a rare disease like IPF, these types of delays are unacceptable because many of our patients are dying three to five years after diagnosis,” says Teresa, chief executive warrior at PF Warriors. “As a community, our greatest challenge is not just living with a rare disease. It’s knowing that promising clinical trials and therapies may exist but remain out of reach.”

If passed by Congress, the FAIR Act would create a streamlined pathway for the FDA to review and approve early-stage clinical trials and treatments that are already approved by trusted international regulators including the United Kingdom, European Union and Canada. At the same time, the FAIR Act would preserve the FDA’s autonomy and safety standards.

“In IPF, 30% of Phase 2 clinical trials are being conducted outside the U.S. The FAIR Act echoes what our community has long known — we need faster access here in the U.S. to clinical trials and therapies that are available in other countries,” says Teresa.

Supporting the FAIR Act

At the time of their passing, Teresa’s family members did not have access to many of the scientific advances that researchers are pursuing today. The FAIR Act is designed to help ensure that medical advances abroad are made available to American patients more quickly while also encouraging biotechnology companies to increase their investment in U.S.-based clinical trials.

The legislation is gaining support from leading life sciences organizations and patient advocacy groups, which view it as a practical solution to ensure patients do not wait unnecessarily for potentially lifesaving therapies.

For patients and families affected by rare and life-threatening diseases, the FAIR Act represents an opportunity to close access gaps and provide hope.

For more information and to learn how to take action, visit FAIRActNow.com.

2026-10-09T11:01:00

(BPT) – Key takeaways

• A shift in pace, whether it’s a new season, a busier week or a trip, offers a natural checkpoint to recommit to a routine.
• Anchoring a new habit to something you already do makes it easier to stick with, even when life gets busier.
• Wanting to shake up a routine doesn’t have to mean an overhaul. Look for products backed by third-party validation to shop your values with confidence.

As summer’s relaxed pace gives way to a busier season — after-school extracurriculars starting again, longer commutes as offices fill back up and one last trip before the weather turns — daily routines are often the first thing to slip.

The instinct when a schedule gets busier is often to overcorrect, whether it’s a whole new morning routine or a completely different approach to meals. However, it’s more effective to keep to a few things that work.

Anchor new habits to something you already do

The easiest way to make a new habit stick is to tie it to one that already happens on autopilot, such as taking vitamins right after your morning coffee or reviewing the next day’s schedule while getting ready for bed. Pairing a new habit with an existing one makes it feel automatic instead of like one more thing to remember.

Refresh your routine without reinventing it

Sometimes a shift in pace comes with the itch to try something new, and small swaps are a way to add some freshness to a routine without overhauling it. Swapping in a new product or everyday essential is one of the easiest ways to do that without adding an extra step.

Toothpaste is one of the simplest swaps to make, and it’s an easy way to shop your values while you’re at it. Keep an eye out for brands backed by third-party certifications like the B Corp Certification, awarded by the nonprofit BLab, which verifies a company’s social, environmental and governance impact every three years. In plain terms, it’s how you know a brand is committed to responsible business practices that benefit people and the planet, not just shareholders.

Tom’s of Maine is a certified B Corp. From sourcing naturally derived ingredients to dedicating 10% of its annual profits to protecting nature, the brand holds itself to the high standards B Lab sets because it believes business should be a genuine force for good.

“Being a Certified B Corp reflects the standards we’ve held ourselves to for more than 50 years — from the ingredients we source to how we treat our people and our communities,” said Michelle Waring, Steward for Sustainability and Everyday Good at Tom’s of Maine. “For anyone trying to make more thoughtful choices, it’s a reliable signal that a company’s impact has been independently verified.”

Plan ahead for busy days

Travel, early mornings and packed weeks are when habits are most likely to fall off, often because of convenience. The easiest way to keep a routine going while traveling is to stick with products that are simple to pack and go. Tom’s of Maine’s toothpaste and deodorant are designed to travel just as easily as they fit into an everyday routine, so there’s no need for another purchase before heading out the door.

A busier season does not have to mean starting over. With a few small, consistent choices, the routines that already work can keep working, no matter how packed the schedule gets.

To learn more about Tom’s of Maine’s natural personal care products, ingredient sourcing and safety standards, visit www.tomsofmaine.com and www.tomsofmaine.com/pages/our-mission.

2026-10-08T08:01:00

(BPT) – One November morning in 2005, media executive John McConnell woke up late for a bike ride and run with his friends. Sprinting out the door, running shoes in hand, he quickly got on his bike, knotted the shoelaces together and hung them over his bike’s crossbar. This seemingly innocuous choice would soon change the trajectory of his life.

During McConnell’s bike ride, one shoe slipped and got stuck in the bike’s front fork. The bike stopped, but McConnell didn’t. He pitched forward and landed on the right side of his head.

“In that moment, I couldn’t move,” McConnell said. “I was completely frozen. The only thing I could feel was my right pinky.”

In the emergency room, doctors found fractures to his C1 and C2 vertebrae and informed McConnell that he might never walk again, if he survived at all.

Luckily for McConnell, his situation wasn’t as dire as his original prognosis. Upon further examination, he was diagnosed with spinal shock, a temporary loss of reflexes, muscle movement and feeling below the spinal injury. By the time his wife arrived, McConnell was able to move his arms. Just one week after the accident, McConnell walked 2 miles into town.

Although McConnell’s paralysis was brief, the accident left him with a profound sense of gratitude.

Five months later, still in rehab and wearing a brace, McConnell spotted an article in the Sunday paper about the Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation — an organization dedicated to curing spinal cord injury by advancing innovative research and improving the quality of life for individuals and families impacted by paralysis. As he read on, McConnell discovered that the Foundation needed runners for the New York City Marathon, which would take place exactly one year to the day after his accident.

“This was a sign,” he said. “In that moment, I decided I was going to do it.” He immediately called four friends who had been helping him recover from the accident and they all jumped in to train and run the marathon together.

That fall, in 2006, McConnell joined Team Reeve, completed the marathon and raised $50,000 for the Foundation. More importantly, he got to know the Foundation’s work and the people behind it. The next year, he raised $100,000.

“The Reeve Foundation symbolizes faith and belief that change will continue to happen — that we can make it easier for people living with spinal cord injury and those who care for someone with paralysis to navigate their journeys, provide hope and direction, and help them live full lives,” he said. “There is no end to this endeavor; it is a continuum, moving forward every day: What’s next? What’s new?”

Since 2006, McConnell has run nine marathons for Team Reeve and recruited dozens of friends to join him along the way, helping him to raise several million dollars for spinal cord injury research. But his work didn’t stop with Team Reeve. McConnell joined the Foundation’s board and has served for 20 years, helping guide and support its mission.

He has championed Reeve’s drive to improve quality of life for people with injuries through the extraordinary work of the National Paralysis Resource Center (NPRC); funded by the Administration for Community Living and administered by the Reeve Foundation, the NPRC is the only national program that directly serves the 5.4 million Americans living with paralysis. Mconnell personally introduces newly injured individuals and families to its vital services.

“People outside our community do not understand how devastating a spinal cord injury can be,” he said. “Everything changes in an instant. Everything for you, for your family, potentially for your professional future, your personal future, your financial well-being. Everything changes in a minute. We get to make a difference.”

More than a race

As McConnell’s story shows, a marathon is more than just a race, and Team Reeve is more than a running group. As the Foundation’s peer-to-peer fundraising program, Team Reeve supports spinal cord injury research and better quality of life for people and families affected by paralysis. Fundraisers enter major races — including the Boston, Chicago and New York City marathons — while supporters can create local events and personal challenges. Together, Team Reeve participants have raised more than $13 million to advance research and help people navigate daily life with paralysis.

Beyond fundraising and raising awareness, these endurance events connect the spinal cord injury community. Families, friends and advocates come together to support one another and Team Reeve’s vision: a world in which spinal cord injury does not result in paralysis and paralysis does not result in diminished quality of life.

Every runner has a why

Every person who runs with Team Reeve has their own reason for running. For Patrick Yalon, running became a way back from a surfing accident that caused a C3-C5 injury and left him unsure whether he would walk again. He still lives with nerve pain, but movement returned a measure of control.

“One step became another. Walking became running,” said Yalon, who is currently training for New York. “To go from not knowing if I would walk again to running through New York City for the spinal cord injury community is something I will never take for granted.”

Like Yalon, Ulrika Holmquist is also running to rebuild her life. A 2025 racing accident ended her career as a professional jockey and resulted in three spinal surgeries. Through running, she was able to restore her strength and more.

“Running became a turning point in my recovery,” said Holmquist, who is training for the 2026 TCS New York City Marathon. “It gave me back confidence, purpose and belief in myself.”

For some Team Reeve members, their “why” is a loved one. Erica Bazerkanian, for example, runs for her father. Through team #IAMSTONE, she has raised $215,000, while her company, Bold&Zeal, donates 10% of purchases to the Foundation.

“Charity running is not just something I do,” she said. “It is part of who I am. I run to raise awareness, fund progress and honor my father’s legacy. The New York City Marathon is my way of turning pain into action, one step at a time.”

For Marea Narsavage, her “why” begins with gratitude. As a Navy veteran, endurance athlete, altruistic living kidney donor and Angel Runner, she treats physical ability as a chance to serve others.

“Running the New York City Marathon is about far more than crossing a finish line,” she says. “For me, it is an opportunity to raise awareness, give back and use my physical ability to help those who have not been given the same opportunities. It is about living with gratitude and turning that gratitude into action.”

Team Reeve’s starting line also welcomes athletes who move differently. Stacey Mahdavian — who became paralyzed in a car accident 36 years ago — tackles race courses on a handcycle, while her daughter Stacia runs beside her as a guide. This mother-daughter partnership captures Team Reeve at its best, a combination of athletes living with paralysis, families and supporters moving toward one goal.

The next starting line

Every participant’s “why” differs. But whether they’re running to reclaim their identity, in memory of a loved one or in gratitude, each Team Reeve member’s story widens the circle of support, funds and community.

Team Reeve will gather next at the 2026 Bank of America Chicago Marathon on Oct. 11 and the 2026 TCS New York City Marathon on Nov. 1, followed by Boston and London in April 2027.

Every mile starts with a reason, and every reason can become action. To learn more, support an athlete or start a fundraiser, visit TeamReeve.org.

2026-10-07T08:01:01

(BPT) – Sponsored by Sanofi

Key takeaways:

• Alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency (Alpha-1) is a genetic disease that causes the liver to produce insufficient or dysfunctional alpha-1 protein, which can leave the lungs less protected from infection and pollutants.¹
• Alpha-1 can affect lung health and lead to serious lung diseases like COPD or emphysema.² Risk can be impacted by multiple factors such as levels of Alpha-1, lifestyle and environment.
• The condition can be difficult to diagnose, because its symptoms can resemble those of other respiratory diseases.²
• People with COPD, people with asthma and airflow obstruction that doesn’t fully reverse with treatment and family members of anyone with Alpha-1, should ask about getting tested.²

Daryl Kunz loves distance cycling. By age 54, he had clocked thousands of miles annually, winning a regional championship in a 24-hour bike race and several other medals. He was used to cycling long distances, and considered a “century” (100 miles) to be an enjoyable outing. But one day, while enjoying a brisk 60-mile ride, Daryl experienced shortness of breath and wheezing for the first time.

Daryl’s symptoms led to several years of frustration. Doctors prescribed medications for asthma and tested him for potential heart conditions, bringing Daryl no closer to understanding what was really going on.

“I went through four years of searching and changing my lifestyle, making me fear I could potentially lose something I absolutely love doing,” said Daryl.

His pulmonologist finally tested him for Alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency (Alpha-1), a rare genetic disease that can impact lung health and cause conditions like chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).² Daryl learned that his lung capacity was reduced to 58%, but it was likely that his avid cycling helped him to stay as healthy as possible, despite his condition.

“Without knowing it, my passion for cycling actually helped slow the damage to my lungs,” said Daryl. “This made me realize how lucky I was to receive my diagnosis when I did, so I could get back on track.”

What is Alpha-1?

Alpha-1 occurs when the body cannot make or use enough alpha-1 antitrypsin,¹ a protective protein made in the liver. This protein travels through the bloodstream to the lungs, where it helps protect lung tissue from damage. When alpha-1 protein levels fall below the normal range, individuals may be at an increased risk for lung disease. This risk may be impacted by several factors, including an individual’s genetics, lifestyle and environmental exposures.²

An estimated 70,000-100,000 people live with severe Alpha-1 in the U.S., but as many as 90% of these individuals haven’t been diagnosed.³ Alpha-1 is one of the most underdiagnosed genetic diseases in the world, and can take as long as eight years to be correctly diagnosed.⁴

Ways Alpha-1 can affect daily life

Common symptoms of Alpha-1 are mostly breathing related, including:⁵

• Shortness of breath/wheezing
• Chronic cough
• Tiredness/fatigue
• Frequent respiratory infections like cold or flu

Alpha-1 can also affect the liver,⁶ which may cause symptoms like jaundice (yellowing of the skin), weight loss, vomiting and more. The similarity of Alpha-1 symptoms with many common lung conditions, including COPD, emphysema, asthma and bronchiectasis can make it difficult to diagnose it accurately. And while Alpha-1 is often associated with lung and liver complications, and in some cases can impact other parts of the body.²

If the disease remains unaddressed, Alpha-1 leaves patients at continued risk for potential irreversible lung damage.² Risk can be impacted by multiple factors such as levels of Alpha-1, lifestyle and environment.

Testing for Alpha-1

Diagnosing Alpha-1 requires testing.² A genetic test can identify a specific gene mutation, and a blood test can measure both genotype and alpha-1 antitrypsin level.

Some risk factors² that indicate you should consider getting tested for Alpha-1 are:

• Lung manifestations such as obstructive lung disease (COPD), or asthma with airway obstruction that doesn’t respond to treatment.
• Family history of lung or liver disease with no known cause.
• A family member with Alpha-1.

Getting an early diagnosis allows patients to work with their doctors to better understand their symptoms and take steps to help protect their lungs, including quitting smoking, maintaining updated vaccinations to avoid respiratory infections and avoiding jobs or places with harmful fumes and pollutants.²

“I look back and think, what if I’d been tested for Alpha-1 back when I first started struggling with my breathing,” noted Daryl. “The diagnosis helped explain what my issues had been. And knowing there’s changes I can make to my lifestyle gave me optimism that I could live with this condition.”

The next endurance challenge

The more Daryl learned about his genetic condition, the better he understood how he could make an impact for his community. His new passion is educating others who might have Alpha-1 and spreading the word about the importance of screening.

“There comes a time when you take a negative and turn it into a positive,” added Daryl. “After my diagnosis, I had a gift of knowledge, and I could educate and pass this along to people I cared about.”

Learn more about Alpha-1 at RethinkAlpha1Protection.com.

________________________________________

[1] Alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency. MedlinePlus Genetics website. https://medlineplus.gov/genetics/condition/alpha-1-antitrypsin-deficiency/. Accessed April 2026.

[2] Meseeha M, Attia M, Sankari A. Alpha 1 antitrypsin deficiency. PubMed. Published 2023. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK442030/. Accessed April 2026.

[3] Greulich T, Vogelmeier CF. Alpha-1-antitrypsin deficiency: increasing awareness and improving diagnosis. Ther Adv Respir Dis. 2016;10(1):72-84.

[4] James K. Stoller, MD, MS. Cleveland Clinic Journal of Medicine March 2026, 93 (3) 153-157; DOI: https://doi.org/10.3949/ccjm.93a.25103. https://www.ccjm.org/content/93/3/153#T1. Accessed June 2026.

[5] Alpha-1 Antitrypsin Deficiency Symptoms, Causes and Risk Factors. www.lung.org. https://www.lung.org/lung-health-diseases/lung-disease-lookup/alpha-1-antitrypsin-deficiency/symptoms-diagnosis. Accessed April 2026.

[6] Tanash HA, Piitulainen E. Liver disease in adults with severe alpha-1-antitrypsin deficiency. J Gastroenterol. 2019;54(6):541-548. doi:10.1007/s00535-019-01548-y.

2026-10-06T08:01:00

(BPT) – Medicare open enrollment runs from October 15 to December 7. State Health Insurance Assistance Programs (SHIPs) provide free, unbiased support to Medicare-eligible individuals, their families, and caregivers. Whether you are new to Medicare, reviewing plan options, or have other questions, SHIP can help. A local certified counselor will provide one-on-one guidance tailored to your situation and needs.

2026-10-05T16:19:00

(BPT) – At 16 years old, Terese “Reese” Termulo was a healthy, active honors student and dancer with a bright future ahead of her, when she suddenly became ill with the flu.

On Jan. 9, 2020, her father, Dr. Cesar Termulo, a pediatrician in Dallas, Texas, received a call from her school that she was feeling sick. Termulo — who suspected she could have contracted the flu — quickly brought her to his office, where she tested positive for influenza B, was given antivirals, and went home to rest and recover.

“Reese wasn’t as sick as many of my other patients who had influenza B,” said Termulo. “She seemed to be improving — no fever, and she didn’t show signs of pneumonia or other serious flu complications.”

The next morning, Reese felt ready to go to school, but her father insisted she stay home. Before he left for work, Termulo used his stethoscope to listen to his daughter’s heart and lungs so that he could check for serious complications and concluded she was on the mend.

“The last thing I ever said to Reese was that I thought she would get better,” said Termulo.

No one could have suspected that Reese’s symptoms would rapidly progress, and her condition would take a turn for the worse. Later that morning, Reese’s mother found her upstairs, passed out, and she had stopped breathing. The flu virus had quickly attacked her lungs, and she eventually became septic. Reese passed away less than 24 hours after her diagnosis.

Serious flu complications

Influenza (or flu) is a contagious respiratory illness caused by flu viruses that infect the nose, throat and sometimes the lungs.¹ People can begin spreading the flu to others one day before symptoms start and up to a week after symptoms appear — and some, especially young children, might be contagious to others for even longer.¹

The flu can impact every person differently. Symptoms can appear suddenly and can include fever (or feeling feverish/chills), cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, muscle or body aches, headaches and fatigue.²

While most people who get the flu will recover within a few days to less than two weeks, some may develop complications like pneumonia and even death.²

The 2025-2026 flu season followed one of the most severe flu seasons in recent U.S. history, with record-breaking pediatric deaths and overwhelming levels of illness and hospitalization.³ In fact, from Oct. 1, 2025, through May 9, 2026, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimated that there were at least 32 million illnesses, 390,000 hospitalizations and 24,000 deaths from the flu in the U.S.⁴

“The harsh reality is that anyone can get sick from the flu — even people who are or feel healthy — and serious problems related to flu can happen at any age,” said Dr. Luis Romano, GSK’s US Medical and Clinical Affairs Lead for Flu Vaccines. “That said, some people are at higher risk of developing serious flu-related complications if they get sick.”

Groups at higher risk of serious flu-related symptoms include¹:

• People 65 years and older
• People with certain chronic health conditions (such as asthma, diabetes or heart disease)
• Pregnant women
• Young children

The flu does not affect all communities equally, and the 2025-2026 season once again exposed deep and persistent disparities in flu-related outcomes among racial and ethnic minority groups.⁵ According to the CDC, Black and Hispanic communities consistently experienced higher rates of flu-related complications and death, often due to lower vaccination rates and delayed access to care.⁶

Why you should speak to your provider about annual flu vaccination

The flu is a serious illness and should be taken seriously. The best way to help protect yourself and your loved ones from the flu every season is to vaccinate everyone 6 months of age and older annually.³

“Decades of data confirm that flu vaccines have an excellent safety record,” said Romano. “In fact, hundreds of millions of Americans have received flu vaccines over the past 50 years, and ongoing monitoring consistently reinforces their strong safety profile.”⁷

Since Reese’s passing, Termulo and his family have made it their mission to educate families on the potential dangers of the flu and urge people to get vaccinated against the flu every year.

Now is a good time to think about flu vaccination

Fall can be a busy season for many people, but it’s vital to make time to get your flu shot. The CDC recommends that most people receive their flu vaccine in September or October, ideally by the end of October.⁸ The good news is that getting a flu shot is typically quick and convenient.

If you already have a yearly wellness visit scheduled, ask your primary care provider about receiving your flu shot during your visit. You can also get a flu shot in pharmacies, urgent care clinics, college health centers and even some schools or workplaces.⁹ Some locations like your local pharmacy may accept walk-ins, so you can help protect yourself and your loved ones from the flu with minimal time commitment.

To learn more about the flu and flu prevention, visit CDC.gov/Flu.

“The flu can disrupt your life and your family’s lives,” said Termulo. “Losing my daughter is a heartbreaking reminder that the flu can have devastating consequences. As both a father and a physician, I hope our family’s experience encourages others to recognize the seriousness of the flu and the profound impact it can have on families.”

Sources

1. About Influenza (Flu). Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Reviewed Feb. 26, 2026. Accessed July 17, 2026. https://www.cdc.gov/flu/about/index.html

2. Symptoms and Signs of Flu. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Reviewed Aug. 26, 2024. Accessed July 17, 2026. https://www.cdc.gov/flu/signs-symptoms/index.html

3. Influenza Activity in the United States During the 2024-25 Season and Composition of the 2025-26 Influenza Vaccine. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Reviewed Sept. 26, 2025. Accessed July 17, 2026. https://www.cdc.gov/flu/whats-new/2025-2026-influenza-activity.html

4. Weekly U.S. Influenza Surveillance Report: Key Updates for Week 18, Ending May 9, 2026. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Published May 15, 2026. Accessed July 17, 2026. https://www.cdc.gov/fluview/surveillance/2026-week-18.html

5. Weekly U.S. Influenza Surveillance Report: Key Updates for Week 25, Ending June 27, 2026. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Published July 6, 2026. Accessed July 17, 2026. CDC FluView Week 25

6. Flu and Healthy Lives for All. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Published Jan. 17, 2025. Accessed July 17, 2026. https://www.cdc.gov/flu/healthy-living/index.html

7. Influenza (Flu) Vaccine Safety. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Reviewed October 2023. Accessed July 17, 2026. https://www.cdc.gov/vaccine-safety/vaccines/flu.html

8. Interim Estimates of 2025-26 Seasonal Influenza Vaccine Effectiveness—United States, September 2025-February 2026. MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep. 2026;75(9):116-123. Published March 6, 2026. Accessed August 6, 2026.

9. Where to Find Vaccines. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Published July 10, 2024. Accessed July 17, 2026. https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines-adults/recommended-vaccines/vaccine-planning.html

2026-10-01T10:01:00

(BPT) – If you’ve ever endured a power outage for any length of time, you know what a hassle it is. And one of the biggest issues? The loss of food and/or medications in your fridge and freezer. What you may not know is that you don’t have to buy a big, general purpose power station that provides more capacity than you’ll ever need. Before the next power outage, be prepared with a smart solution designed just for your refrigerator, even if you have a limited budget and minimal space.

Here are four key areas to keep in mind when choosing backup power for your kitchen’s most essential appliance.

1. Focus on fit and placement

Especially if you live in a small home or apartment, every inch counts. You’ll need a backup power solution that fits easily in a narrow gap whether that’s beside, behind or on top of your refrigerator. Unfortunately, many dedicated fridge backup units on the market today run close to 2.9 inches thick, which can make it challenging to fit in a narrow space.

One great solution is the ultra-slim 2.6-inch FridgeGuard from Jackery, a global leader of essential home backup, innovative solar generators and portable power stations. This unit comes with a gravity sensing display that automatically adjusts between portrait and landscape, depending on which way you want to mount it. FridgeGuard also weighs nearly half of what many competitors’ models weigh, making it easier to fit anywhere in your kitchen.

2. Choose design that makes a difference

Because your fridge backup may be highly visible in your kitchen, you’ll want a design that looks good and easily blends into the room.

FridgeGuard was developed with the award-winning industrial design studio Huge Design in California, and is the winner of five international design awards: iF Design Award, MUSE Design Awards, Green Good Design Award, A’ Design Award and Competition and SHOP Design Award. The unit boasts a paint-free metal injection molded front cover with a quick release, customizable design.

3. Seek technology created with purpose

The last thing you want in a backup system is to pay for a huge amount of capacity your fridge will never use, that can’t act quickly enough to ensure your fridge won’t lose power, or that puts undue strain on your refrigerator’s motor.

Instead of the significantly higher output most comparable units carry, FridgeGuard’s 800W rated output and 1600W surge capacity are sized specifically to what a refrigerator actually draws, roughly 100W to 200W continuous with startup surges up to 800W.

FridgeGuard’s Delay Start mode also gives your refrigerator compressor a moment before restart, easing strain on the motor and extending backup runtime. You can choose Delay AC mode to relieve the refrigerator compressor or a sub-10ms UPS to seamlessly restart your refrigerator so that the compressor won’t stop at all.

The result? A system built around one job: making sure your refrigerator retains power.

4. Select an accessible, well-priced unit

The last thing you want is to spend money on an electrician on top of buying expensive backup power that’s more than you need. Unlike other units that require installation, FridgeGuard simply plugs in and is ready to go, no installation or electrician required, making it a practical choice for renters and first-time buyers.

And unlike the roughly $900 price point of other major dedicated fridge backup systems currently on the market, FridgeGuard starts at $549.99 at Costco, providing a more accessible, affordable unit to protect your fridge through an outage.

Backup you can count on

With FridgeGuard you’ll also get a five-year warranty, plus a LiFePO4 battery rated for 6,000 charge cycles at 70% capacity retention, which translates to 16 years of reliable daily use. Choosing a smart solution can give you peace of mind, even during an extended power outage.

Learn more at Jackery.com.

2026-10-01T07:01:02

(BPT) – Erik Lofstrand never expected a routine physical to change his life. But when he was diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes, Erik suddenly found himself navigating a life-changing condition.

“I went through all stages of grief,” Erik said. “At first, I was in denial. I thought if I exercised more and ate healthier, it would just go away.”

Although he made healthy lifestyle changes, managing his glucose still felt like guesswork. Traditional fingersticks offered only snapshots of information, leaving him without a clear understanding of how his daily decisions impacted his glucose levels.

“I didn’t want to guess — I wanted information I could actually use,” Erik said.

Erik grew frustrated that diet and exercise alone weren’t giving him the answers he needed. As someone who embraces technology in all aspects of his life and work, he began researching additional tools and learned about continuous glucose monitors (CGMs).

As he explored his options, Erik realized he would need a prescription and a conversation with his doctor to determine whether a CGM was right for him. Armed with what he learned, he was able to have an informed and specific conversation with his doctor, about his goals and diabetes management. Together, they decided Abbott’s FreeStyle Libre 3 Plus sensor was a good fit, enabling him to follow his glucose levels in real time and gain insight into how his food intake, activity and daily habits affected his glucose levels.

By taking the initiative to ask about CGM technology, Erik was able to play an active role in his care and have an informed, collaborative conversation with his doctor. His experience reflects a common barrier: research shows that one in five people living with diabetes feel they need their doctor to suggest or recommend new tools, rather than feeling empowered to ask about those options themselves¹.

What is a CGM?

A continuous glucose monitor (CGM), like Abbott’s FreeStyle Libre 3 Plus sensor, is a small, discreet sensor worn on the back of your upper arm that continuously measures your glucose levels every minute, day and night². It sends glucose readings directly to a compatible smartphone app³ or reader⁴, providing real-time information and trends.

Rather than relying on a single glucose reading obtained from prior methods like fingersticks, a CGM provides a complete picture of how meals, activity and medication affect glucose levels over time.

Why switch to a CGM?

For Erik, seeing those trends, not just individual numbers, gave him the insights he needed to make changes in his daily routine that made an impact.

“Having access to this data is empowering. It allows me to manage my diabetes proactively and avoid challenges that could set my whole day off course,” said Erik. “My CGM is a huge reason why I feel more confident and in control of my health.”

Research continues to demonstrate the benefits of CGM technology. In a recent study, people with Type 2 diabetes using a CGM lowered their HbA1c, a key marker of blood sugar levels, by 0.6% more than those using traditional fingersticks and spent about 2.5 additional hours each day in a healthy glucose range⁶.

Like Erik, many people with diabetes find that having continuous glucose information can provide a clearer understanding of how food, activity and other daily habits affect their glucose levels, helping them make more informed decisions⁵.

How to talk to your doctor about CGM

If you or someone you love is living with Type 2 diabetes, consider talking to a doctor about options and whether a CGM is technology to consider. Not sure how to start the conversation? Check out these helpful tips:

1. Do your homework: Learn about available CGM options, including Abbott’s Libre systems, so you can ask informed questions and better understand how the technology works.
2. Learn how CGM works: Ask your doctor about the value CGMs provide and how they can help you better understand your glucose patterns.
3. Share your goals: Talk with your doctor about what you’d like to achieve, whether that’s understanding how food affects your glucose, reducing routine fingersticks or feeling more confident in your daily habits.
4. Discuss your challenges: Be open about what’s difficult when managing your glucose today and ask about insurance coverage and available support programs.
5. Find the right fit together: Managing diabetes is a team effort. Talk with your doctor about whether a CGM aligns with your individual needs, treatment goals and lifestyle.

For Erik, taking that first step to ask his doctor about a CGM changed the way he lives with diabetes.

“Talking to my doctor about a CGM was one of the best decisions I made after my diagnosis,” Erik said. “I’m healthier now than I’ve ever been. You can’t manage what you can’t measure — data is power. The more you understand your diabetes, the more you can take charge of your life.”

To learn more about CGMs and Abbott’s Libre systems, click here.

The views expressed should not be used for medical diagnosis or treatment or as a substitute for professional medical advice. Individual symptoms, situations and circumstances may vary.

1. Data on file, Abbott Diabetes Care.
2. 60-minute warm-up required when applying the sensor.
3. The FreeStyle Libre systems apps are only compatible with certain mobile devices and operating systems. Please check our website for more information about device compatibility before using the apps. Use of the FreeStyle Libre systems apps may require registration with LibreView.
4. For U.S. residents – The FreeStyle Libre systems apps and the FreeStyle Libre systems readers have similar but not identical features. Fingersticks are required for treatment decisions when you see Check Blood Glucose symbol and when your glucose alarms and readings from the system do not match symptoms or expectations.
5. Fokkert, Marion, et al. “Improved Well-Being and Decreased Disease Burden After 1-Year Use of Flash Glucose Monitoring (FLARE-NL4).” BMJ Open Diabetes Research & Care 7, no. 1 (2019): e000809. https://doi.org/10.1136/bmjdrc-2019-000809.
6. Wilmot EG. Lancet Diabetes Endocrinol (2026). https://doi.org/10.1016/S2213-8587(26)00076-8

For U.S. residents – Important Safety Information Product for prescription only, for Important Safety Information please visit FreeStyleLibre.us.

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