News Hub | News Direct

The Silent, Undetected Cause of Early Heart Disease

YourUpdateTV

One in 5 people worldwide have high Lipoprotein(a) – sometimes referred to as “L-P-little a” – an important genetic risk factor for premature heart disease and stroke. If you have a family history of early heart disease or have been told that heart disease “runs in your family,” but you’ve never been told why, it’s important to know if you have high Lp(a). Recently, founder and CEO Katherine Wilemon and chief medical officer Dr. Mary McGowan from the Family Heart Foundation, participated in a nationwide satellite media tour to discuss this silent, undetected cause of early heart disease. A video accompanying this announcement is available at: https://youtu.be/Tl08nDPSy9k Genetic disorders driving early cardiovascular disease are very common, but almost never diagnosed. Elevated levels of Lp(a) increase the risk of inflammation, blood clotting and clogging — or plaque buildup — inside your blood vessels, which can block the flow of blood and oxygen to your heart or brain and cause a heart attack or stroke. Almost everyone gets tested for high cholesterol, but in the U.S. fewer than 1% are screened for Lp(a). It’s important to know that Lp(a) levels are inherited — they’re unrelated to diet, exercise, obesity, and lifestyle. To find out if you’re affected, ask for a simple blood test to check your Lipoprotein(a). An Lp(a) test measures the level of Lipoprotein(a) in your blood. People might be surprised to know that this test is not part of a standard blood test that provides your cholesterol levels, so their doctor will need to order it directly. In order to create awareness worldwide of Lp(a), the Family Heart Foundation established the first annual Lp(a) Awareness Day on March 24. People can join the movement by following the Family Heart Foundation on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram and sharing our messages about Lp(a) with friends and family. We aim to make a difference for those who have never heard of this common genetic condition. The Family Heart Foundation is addressing gaps in care through research, advocacy and awareness. The Family Heart Foundation aims to save generations of families from early heart disease by helping those at risk get the information they need to protect themselves and their family. For more information, visit MoreFamiliesMoreHearts.org About Katherine Wilemon: A decade ago, founder and CEO Katherine Wilemon created the Family Heart Foundation (formerly the FH Foundation) to improve early diagnosis and treatment of familial hypercholesterolemia (FH). Katherine had a heart attack at the age of 39, a diagnosis of familial hypercholesterolemia at 41, and, years later, she found out she also had elevated levels of lipoprotein(a). At the time of her diagnosis, Katherine realized that genetic disorders driving early cardiovascular disease were very common, but almost never diagnosed, leaving 9 out of those affected at high risk for the number one cause of death and illness. She resolved to bridge this enormous gap in diagnosis, because with early and accurate diagnosis, individuals can live decades longer without debilitating cardiovascular disease. She has led the Family Heart Foundation as it became a national catalyst for the research, education, awareness and support needed at every level of healthcare and public policy to prevent the early and devasting impact of genetic causes of heart disease and strokes including Familial Hypercholesterolemia (FH) and elevated Lipoprotein(a). Her vision and the mission of the Family Heart Foundation is to transform the lives of millions of families by assuring that everyone has the knowledge required to fight the early onset of heart attacks and strokes About Dr. Mary McGowan: Dr. Mary P. McGowan is the Chief Medical Officer of the Family Heart Foundation and the Co-Director of the Lipid Clinic at Dartmouth Hitchcock Heart and Vascular Center. Dr. McGowan received her medical degree from the University of Massachusetts and remained at the University of Massachusetts Medical Center for both internship and residency. She completed her fellowship at Johns Hopkins Hospital, and is the author of numerous articles and five books. She has been the principal investigator on more than 30 national and international clinical trials and has lectured widely in the United States, Canada, Europe, and Asia on cholesterol metabolism. Dr. McGowan has previously served on the alumni board at the University of Massachusetts Medical Center, the National Lipid Association Board of Directors and the NH Affiliate of the American Heart Association Board. Dr. McGowan lives in Bedford, NH with her husband, and they have three children. About the Family Heart Foundation: The Family Heart Foundation is a non-profit research and advocacy organization. The Foundation is a pioneer in the application of real-world evidence, patient-driven advocacy, and multi-stakeholder education to help prevent heart attacks and strokes caused by familial hypercholesterolemia and elevated lipoprotein(a), two common genetic disorders that have an impact across generations. The Family Heart Foundation conducts innovative research to break down barriers to diagnosis and management of inherited lipid disorders; educates patients, providers, and policy makers; advocates for change; and provides hope and support for families impacted by heart disease and stroke caused by FH, HoFH, and high Lp(a). The organization was founded in 2011 as the FH Foundation. For more information, visit FamilyHeart.org and follow us on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn. Contact Details YourUpdateTV +1 212-736-2727 yourupdatetv@gmail.com

March 17, 2022 04:00 PM Eastern Daylight Time

Video

Take Action for Heart Health

YourUpdateTV

Heart disease is responsible for over 600,000 deaths in the U.S. each year making it the leading (non-pandemic) cause of death in the U.S. Heart disease includes a number of different conditions that relate to your heart’s rhythm, muscle, and blood vessels. Luckily there are things we can all do to lower our risk for, or even prevent heart disease. Learning about what your genetics can tell you about your heart can be a good first step. Recently, Senior Product Scientist at 23andMe, Alisa Lehman, and Chief Clinical Officer at Lemonaid Health, Dr. Davis Liu, MD, participated in a nationwide satellite media tour to discuss how genetics can help people take a proactive approach to their health. A video accompanying this announcement is available at: https://youtu.be/213m-kngFRI When we look at the human genome, everyone is very similar. However, there are places in our DNA that are different from person to person, which are called genetic variants. Some of these variants are associated with certain health conditions. At 23andMe, scientists look at the variants you may have and can tell you if you may be genetically predisposed to developing conditions like type 2 diabetes, or migraine, or conditions related to heart disease. When it comes to heart disease, 23andMe’s personalized genetic reports can currently tell you if you're at an increased likelihood of developing conditions that affect your heart health, like high blood pressure, coronary artery disease, or high cholesterol. While genetics can give you a lot of insights about your likelihood of developing heart disease, there are many other factors that impact whether you actually go on to develop heart disease, and many of these factors are under your control, like your diet or exercise habits. Consult with your healthcare professional if you are concerned about your likelihood of developing heart disease, or if you have a personal or family history of heart disease. For more information, visit 23andMe.com About Alisa Lehman: Alisa is a Senior Product Scientist and has been working at 23andMe since 2015. Her team works to create scientifically accurate, consumer friendly genetic health features. Alisa holds a B.S. in Biology from MIT and a Ph.D. in Biological Sciences from Stanford University. About Davis Liu: Davis Liu, MD, is a board certified family doctor and Chief Clinical Officer at Lemonaid Health. Previously he worked at Kaiser Permanente in Roseville California for 15 years and lives in the Sacramento area with his wife and two teenagers. As the only doctor in his family, Dr. Liu feels compelled to make sure all Americans get the right health information to stay healthy and well. Contact Details YourUpdateTV +1 212-736-2727 yourupdatetv@gmail.com

March 15, 2022 12:21 PM Eastern Daylight Time

Video

Bloom Healthcare Named a Direct Contracting Entity (DCE) by the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Innovation (Innovation Center)

Bloom Healthcare

Bloom Health Network, a wholly owned subsidiary of Bloom Healthcare Inc. (“Bloom Healthcare”) an industry leader in comprehensive home-based primary care and behavioral health integration, has been named a Direct Contracting Entity (DCE) by the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Innovation (Innovation Center). Bloom Healthcare began participating in the new Global and Professional Direct Contracting (“Direct Contracting”) model on January 1 st of this year and is one of eight (8) DCEs serving a High Need Population in the new model. High Needs Population DCEs use a model of care specifically designed to serve Medicare beneficiaries with complex medical needs, in particular those that are homebound or reside in assisted living facilities. The Direct Contracting model enables participating organizations, like Bloom Healthcare, to reduce medical expenditures and improve quality of care and health outcomes for Medicare beneficiaries with complex, chronic conditions and advanced stage illness. In addition, the model aims to improve how Medicare patients experience healthcare by reducing administrative burdens and increasing time spent with their primary healthcare provider. “Bloom Healthcare is redefining how our patients and partners experience healthcare by transforming the way care is delivered in the communities we serve. Our mission fully aligns with the goals and objectives of the Innovation Center’s Direct Contracting model and is yet another example of Bloom’s commitment to continuously innovate, improve quality of care and health outcomes for our patients” said Thomas Lally, M.D., CEO of Bloom Healthcare. Bloom Healthcare will be accountable for the cost and quality of services provided to their patients who are Medicare beneficiaries participating in the new model. The Direct Contracting model offers participating DCEs, like Bloom Healthcare, increased flexibilities, such as the ability to directly contract with other types of healthcare providers, develop preferred provider relationships and aligned incentives to improve care coordination. As a DCE, Bloom can offer benefit enhancements and additional services to eligible Medicare patients, which are not traditionally covered by the Medicare program. “Our participation in this new Innovation Center model will enable Bloom Healthcare and our participating primary care providers to provide their most vulnerable and medically complex patients with a level of value-based care that heretofore has not been possible in the traditional Medicare program. It builds on our organization’s success in other value-based care model partnerships, such as with Medicare Advantage organizations” said Franke P. Elliott, President of Bloom Health Network, Bloom Healthcare’s DCE. Bloom Healthcare enhances the quality of life and well-being of seniors and their caregivers by providing high quality healthcare wherever they choose to live – at home, or in senior housing, such as an assisted living facility. Patients are cared for by a primary care provider who is supported by a robust multidisciplinary care team, consisting of administrative coordinators, nurse clinical coordinators, social workers, pharmacists, behavioral health specialists and complex case managers, who provide care in accordance with a comprehensive care plan developed with patients and their families, with a focus on maximizing quality of life and meeting patients’ goals. For information about Bloom Healthcare and our participation in the Direct Contracting model, please visit https://bloomhealthcare.com/bloom-dce/ Disclaimer: The statements contained in this document are solely those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views or policies of CMS. The authors assume responsibility for the accuracy and completeness of the information contained in this document. Contact Details Angela Fulcher +1 512-470-1970 afulcher@growthstrategy.ai

March 15, 2022 08:40 AM Mountain Daylight Time

Image

4D Path, PathPresenter Announce Partnership to Advance AI-enabled Digital Pathology for End-to-End Breast Tumor Profiling

4D Path

PathPresenter, a pioneer in the development of digital pathology software, and 4D Path Inc., developer of a pan-cancer diagnostic and precision oncology platform enabling AI-based biomarker typing and prognostication from H&E images, are announcing today a global partnership to distribute 4D Q-plasia OncoReader Breast within PathPresenter’s new Clinical Workflow Platform, ClinPx. 4D Q-plasia OncoReader Breast provides histopathologists with an adjunct technology to potentially improve diagnostic accuracy of breast cancer features (e.g., its invasiveness, grades, ki-67 status, etc.) solely from digitized histopathology images obtained via biopsies or resections. Through this partnership, pathologists will have the ability to run the 4D Q-Plasia OncoReader Breast directly within the ClinPx whole slide image viewer. Embedding this AI technology within PathPresenter’s emerging ClinPx platform – a scanner-agnostic digital pathology workflow solution – could accelerate the adoption of AI tools within clinical workflows. “We believe that the integration of these two technologies will redefine how AI can be adopted by everyday pathologists,” said Rajendra Singh, M.D., Founder of PathPresenter. The primary purpose of integrating 4D’s proprietary algorithms within the ClinPx platform is to potentially improve the throughput, reliability, and quality of consultations provided by physicians. Additionally, users from pharmaceutical organizations could also benefit from the enablement of the standardized central pathology review of certain biomarkers within the context of clinical trials leveraging the ClinPx platform. “This unique partnership is very much needed to make the most of the increasing investment in digital pathology,” said Tathagata Dasgupta, Founder and President of 4D Path. “While PathPresenter offers a software platform made by pathologists to serve pathologists in their digital workflow, it will have at its heart the 4D Path-driven end-to-end tumor profiling white-box solution that can produce synoptic reports to potentially assist clinical reporting.” To advance the adoption of digital pathology worldwide, 4D Path and PathPresenter have created exclusive educational content to teach current and future pathologists about how evaluation of breast cancer features prior to downstream genomic and molecular testing can potentially improve patient care. This information will be available to PathPresenter’s 40,000 global users at PathPresenter.net. *4D Q-plasia OncoReader Breast has not been approved by the FDA or the EMA for primary diagnosis. 4D Q-plasia OncoReader Breast is for Research Use Only (RUO) About PathPresenter PathPresenter has been a pioneer in the development of digital pathology software since 2017. Originally known for its education platform, PathPresenter has evolved into a suite of interconnected digital pathology products that enable the use of digital pathology images for clinical care, medical education, and research. With over 40,000 registered users adopting its technologies around the world, PathPresenter enables a global clinical and data network for AI-driven precision medicine to define a new standard of care. Visit https://pathpresenter.net/ to learn more. About 4D Path 4D Path’s mission is to democratize precision diagnostics and oncology by unveiling previously hidden information purely from cellular snapshots of tissue ( e.g., histology) or liquid ( e.g., cytology) without the use of antibody stains. The company’s cloud-based 4D Q-Plasia OncoReader (QPOR) is a U.S. patented pan-cancer precision diagnostic and oncology platform which is being designed to extract diagnostic data from routine cytology and histology images. Its beachhead product, the 4D QPOR Breast, has been awarded FDA Breakthrough Device Designation for potentially improving diagnostic accuracy over the current standard of care. This end-to-end solution provides an adjunct tool, which aims to accelerate diagnostic turnaround times, reduce cost, and improve diagnostic accuracy in a single step. In addition, this technology is being designed to identify an overall biologic cancer signature to guide therapeutic management from as early as pre-treatment biopsy/resection specimens. This single test will not require the multiple additive signatures that multi-omics platforms depend upon, with their additional burdens of cost, diagnostic delay, and reliance on specialized equipment. This approach toward tumor profiling could lead to the 4D QPOR becoming an efficient and universally accessible platform to better predict and stratify patient response to therapy. The platform can integrate seamlessly into any existing clinical workflow without altering current practices. Visit https://4dpath.com to learn more. Contact Details SVM Public Relations & Marketing Communications Jordan Bouclin +1 401-490-9700 Jordan.bouclin@svmpr.com Company Website https://4dpath.com/

March 15, 2022 10:00 AM Eastern Daylight Time

Doctors and nurses worldwide point to roadmap to future-proof healthcare

Elsevier

Thousands of doctors and nurses from across the globe reveal what is needed to fill gaps and future-proof today’s healthcare system in a new report from Elsevier Health. Published two years after the COVID-19 pandemic began, the comprehensive “Clinician of the Future” report, conducted in partnership with Ipsos uncovers just how undervalued doctors and nurses feel, and their call for urgent support such as more skills training — especially in the effective use of health data and technology; preserving the patient-doctor relationship in a changing digital world; and recruiting more healthcare professionals into the field. Their voices have been elevated in this first global, multiphase research report to not only understand where the healthcare system is following the COVID-19 pandemic, but where it needs to be in 10 years to ensure a future that both providers and patients deserve. “Doctors and nurses play a vital role in the health and well-being of our society. Ensuring they are being heard will enable them to get the support they need to deliver better patient care in these difficult times,” said Jan Herzhoff, President of Elsevier Health. “We must start to shift the conversation away from discussing today’s healthcare problems to delivering solutions that will help improve patient outcomes. In our research, they have been clear about the areas they need support; we must act now to protect, equip and inspire the clinician of the future.” There has never been a greater need for lifting the voices of healthcare professionals. The global study found 71% of doctors and 68% of nurses believe their jobs have changed considerably in the past 10 years, with many saying their jobs have gotten worse. One in three clinicians are considering leaving their current role by 2024, with as many as half of this group in some countries leaving healthcare entirely. This comes on top of the existing global healthcare workforce shortage, where clinicians continue to experience severe levels of fatigue and burnout since COVID-19 was declared a pandemic. “As a practicing doctor, I am acutely aware of the struggles today’s clinicians face in their efforts to care for patients,” said Charles Alessi, MD, Chief Clinical Officer, Healthcare Information and Management Systems Society (HIMSS). “This comprehensive report from Elsevier Health provides an opportunity for the industry to listen — and act — on the pivotal guidance given by those on the frontlines. I commend this important initiative and look forward to next steps in supporting our doctors and nurses.” What today’s clinicians want for the clinician of the future The “Clinician of the Future” report includes a quantitative global survey, qualitative interviews and roundtable discussions with nearly 3,000 practicing doctors and nurses around the world. The data helps shed light on the challenges impacting the profession today and predictions on what healthcare will look like in the next decade, according to those providing critical patient care. To ensure a positive shift moving into the future—and to fill current gaps—clinicians highlight the following priority areas for greater support: Enhancing health technology skills: Clinicians predict that over the next 10 years “technology literacy” will become their most valuable capability, ranking higher than “clinical knowledge.” In fact, 56% of clinicians predict they will base most of their clinical decisions using tools that utilize artificial intelligence. However, 69% report being overwhelmed with the current volume of data and 69% predict the widespread use of digital health technologies to become an even more challenging burden in the future. As a result, 83% believe training needs to be overhauled so they can keep pace with technological advancements. A greater focus on the patient-provider relationship: Clinicians predict a blended approach to healthcare with 63% saying most consultations between clinicians and patients will be remote and 49% saying most healthcare will be provided in a patient’s home instead of in a healthcare setting. While clinicians may save time and see more patients thanks to telehealth, more than half of clinicians believe telehealth will negatively impact their ability to demonstrate empathy with patients they no longer see in person. As a result, clinicians are calling for guidance on when to use telehealth and how to transfer soft skills like empathy to the computer screen. An expanded healthcare workforce: Clinicians are concerned about a global healthcare workforce shortage, with 74% predicting there will be a shortage of nurses and 68% predicting a shortage of doctors in 10 years’ time. This may be why a majority of global clinicians agree that a top priority will be to increase the number of healthcare workers in the coming decade. Clinicians require the support of larger, better equipped teams and expanded multidisciplinary healthcare teams, such as data analysts, data security experts and scientists, as well as clinicians themselves. “While we know that many nurses are leaving the profession due to burnout, we also know that the pandemic has inspired others to enter the field because of a strong desire for purposeful work,” said Marion Broome, PhD RN, FAAN, Ruby F. Wilson Professor of Nursing at the School of Nursing, Duke University. “We must embrace this next wave of healthcare professionals and ensure we set them up for success. Our future as a society depends on it.” Looking to the future Findings from this research will be leveraged to provide strategic insights and solutions for physicians, nurses, educators, healthcare administrators and policymakers as Elsevier Health establishes initiatives designed to address the gaps highlighted: Provide an annual Elsevier Health “Clinician of the Future” pulse survey to ensure these voices continue to be front-and-center. Convene a Global Coalition of healthcare leaders and institutions to explore solutions at the medical school and clinical practice level. Explore the issue of patient empathy in partnership with our trusted research journals and subject matter experts. “Ultimately, we asked clinicians for what they need, and now it’s our responsibility as a healthcare industry to act,” said Thomas (Tate) Erlinger, MD, MPH, Vice President, Clinical Analytics, Elsevier Health. “Now is the time for bold thinking — to serve providers and patients today and tomorrow. We need to find ways to give clinicians the enhanced skills and resources they need to better support and care for patients in the future. And we need to fill in gaps today, to stop the drain on healthcare workers to ensure a strong system in the next decade and beyond.” Research methodology Elsevier and Ipsos collaborated to develop this study with Ipsos conducting the three phases of research cumulatively leading to the explorations in this report. The phases included (1) 60-minute online qualitative interviews with 23 key opinion leaders from around the world to uncover trends and expectations for the future state of clinician roles and to inform quantitative design (run from Aug. 11 until Sept. 10, 2021). Participants were recruited from databases supplied by Elsevier and its flagship medical journal, The Lancet, in addition to clinicians recruited directly from Ipsos’ network (REACH – Thought Leadership); (2) a 15-minute online global survey completed by 2,838 1 clinicians to measure attitudes and uncover the paradigm shifts expected to most impact how healthcare is delivered (run from Oct. 15 until Dec. 13, 2021). The 2,838 respondents included a mixture of doctors and nurses from around the world. All participants who took part chose to do so, and individuals invited to participate were drawn from a number of sources, including clinicians who had published recently, who were randomly selected from a database of published authors across 9,000 health titles (including journals and books) from various publishers, clinicians on a third-party panel, and users of Elsevier solutions aimed at doctors and nurses. Data generated from this study was weighted using a regional weighting efficiency of 77.7% and a doctor-to-nurse weighting efficiency of 93.0%; (3) three qualitative virtual roundtables with 13 key opinion leaders in the US (5 participants), UK (4 participants) and China (4 participants) to gather reactions to the findings and provide expert points of view on the clinician of the future (run Nov. 22, 2021, Dec. 7, 2021, and Jan. 13, 2022). A global medical student roundtable with 12 participants was also conducted to capture the voice of the next generation of clinicians (run Feb. 15, 2022). For these roundtables, participants were recruited from databases supplied by Elsevier and The Lancet, in addition to clinicians recruited directly from Ipsos’ network (REACH - Though Leadership), a global social impact organization. To read the “Clinician of the Future” report in its entirety, click here. Notes for editors [1] Full base size Total (n=2838), Doctors (n=1691), Nurses (n=1108) Total (n=2838). Females (1465), Males (1300), Other (73) Total (n=2838), USA (n=434), UK (n=604), China (n=499), India (n=161), DE (n=162), JP (n=63), FR (n=82), ES (n=239), AUS (n=46), Mexico (n=50), NOAM (n=445), EUROPE (n=1255), APAC (n=842), MEA (n=128), South America (n=168); Doctor (n=1691), USA (n=261), UK (n=411), China (n=209), India (n=69), DE (n=69), JP (n=61), FR (n=24*), ES (n=130), AUS (n=30), Mexico (n=39), NOAM (n=268), EUROPE (n=755), APAC (n=433), MEA (n=105), South America (n=130); Nurses (n=1108), USA (n=164), UK (n=190), China (n=289), India (n=92), DE (n=86), JP (n=2*), FR (n=55), ES (n=106), AUS (n=16*), Mexico (n=9*), NOAM (n=168), EUROPE (n=481), APAC (n=408), MEA (n=21*), South America (n=30). About Elsevier Health Elsevier Health is a new brand identity that elevates our unique position to leverage knowledge, data, and technology to help clinicians, leaders, educators and students globally. Through our research, we have identified Five Pillars to Shape the Future of Health, which will guide our actions for the future. These pillars focus on the need to improve access to evidence-based information to tackle the infodemic; prepare more future health professionals with effective tools and resources; provide insights that improve patient outcomes; deliver healthcare that is truly inclusive; and support a more personalized and localized healthcare experience. Elsevier Health supports healthcare professionals throughout their career journey from education through clinical practice by providing current, accessible, evidence–based information, that can help empower clinicians to provide the best healthcare possible. About Elsevier As a global leader in information and analytics, Elsevier helps researchers and healthcare professionals advance science and improve health outcomes for the benefit of society. We do this by facilitating insights and critical decision-making for customers across the global research and health ecosystems. In everything we publish, we uphold the highest standards of quality and integrity. We bring that same rigor to our information analytics solutions for researchers, health professionals, institutions and funders. Elsevier employs 8,100 people worldwide. We have supported the work of our research and health partners for more than 140 years. Growing from our roots in publishing, we offer knowledge and valuable analytics that help our users make breakthroughs and drive societal progress. Digital solutions such as ScienceDirect, Scopus, SciVal, ClinicalKey and Sherpath support strategic research management, R&D performance, clinical decision support and health education. Researchers and healthcare professionals rely on our 2,500+ digitized journals, including “ The Lancet ” and “ Cell ”; our 40,000 e-Book titles; and our iconic reference works, such as “Gray’s Anatomy.” With the Elsevier Foundation and our external Inclusion & Diversity Advisory Board, we work in partnership with diverse stakeholders to advance inclusion and diversity in science, research and healthcare in developing countries and around the world. Elsevier is part of RELX, a global provider of information-based analytics and decision tools for professional and business customers. www.elsevier.com Media contact Teresa Mueller, VP Communications, Elsevier Health Elsevier Communications t.mueller@elsevier.com Contact Details Elsevier Communications, UK Teresa Mueller t.mueller@elsevier.com Company Website https://www.elsevier.com/

March 15, 2022 09:13 AM Eastern Daylight Time

Boston Marathon® Jimmy Fund Walk is Back on the Course in 2022

Boston Marathon® Jimmy Fund Walk

The annual Boston Marathon ® Jimmy Fund Walk presented by Hyundai will be returning to the historic course in person on Sunday, October 2 nd, to defy cancer. The Jimmy Fund Walk is the only organized walk permitted on the famed course and participants have the flexibility to choose from four distance options: 5K Walk (3.1 miles from Dana-Farber Cancer Institute), 10K Walk (6.2 miles from Newton), Half Marathon Walk (13.1 miles from Wellesley), or Marathon Walk (26.2 miles from Hopkinton). Participants can also choose to join the event virtually by “ walking their way ” from wherever they are most comfortable—in their neighborhood, on a favorite hiking trail, or on a treadmill at home. Virtual programming and supporting materials will be available. “Throughout the Jimmy Fund Walk’s 33-year history, we have raised money to support our lifesaving mission, and the pandemic didn’t stop us,” said Zack Blackburn, Director of the Jimmy Fund Walk. Over the past two years, we saw our teams walk virtually and celebrate in their own unique way. Now, we welcome them to walk the course in person. We are back, and we are stronger than ever.” The Jimmy Fund Walk has raised more than $155 million for Dana-Farber Cancer Institute in its 33-year history. Funds raised from the Walk support all forms of adult and pediatric patient care and cancer research at the nation’s premier cancer center, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute. Anyone interested in additional information can email JimmyFundWalk@DFCI.Harvard.edu or call 866-531-9255. Along the course, walkers are treated to 12 refueling stations as well as poster-sized photographs of patients – Jimmy Fund Walk Heroes – displayed at each mile marker and half-mile marker as inspiration. All four routes of the Jimmy Fund Walk end at the Copley Square Finish Line with a celebration complete with food, music, and a speaking program. To register for the Jimmy Fund Walk (#JimmyFundWalk) or to support a walker, visit www.JimmyFundWalk.org or call (866) 531-9255. Registrants can enter the promo code NEWS for $5 off the registration fee. All registered walkers will receive a bib, medal, and a Jimmy Fund Walk T-shirt. About the Jimmy Fund The Jimmy Fund, established in Boston in 1948, is comprised of community-based fundraising events and other programs that, solely and directly, benefit Dana-Farber Cancer Institute’s lifesaving mission to provide compassionate patient care and groundbreaking cancer research for children and adults. The Jimmy Fund is an official charity of the Boston Red Sox, the Massachusetts Chiefs of Police Association, the Pan-Mass Challenge, and the Variety Children's Charity of New England. Since 1948, the generosity of millions of people has helped the Jimmy Fund save countless lives and reduce the burden of cancer for patients and families worldwide. Follow the Jimmy Fund on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram: @TheJimmyFund. Contact Details Brodeur Partners Kaitlynn Cooney +1 609-351-5944 kcooney@brodeur.com Company Website https://danafarber.jimmyfund.org/site/TR?fr_id=1840&pg=entry

March 15, 2022 08:00 AM Eastern Daylight Time

Image

College of DuPage Awarded Illinois CRSS Success Program Grant to Support Individuals with Mental Health or Substance Use Recovery

College of DuPage

Students with lived experience of mental health or substance use recovery can now earn a certificate in behavioral health at College of DuPage thanks to a newly awarded grant from the Illinois Department of Human Services, Division of Mental Health. Launching in fall 2022, the 16-hour Certified Recovery Support Specialist (CRSS) program will prepare students for an entry level position in the behavioral health workforce, specifically in the areas of substance abuse and mental health disorder recovery. Certified Recovery Support Specialists use their lived experience to help others gain hope and achieve specific life and recovery goals. Students in the program will receive full funding to overcome practical barriers to success, including tuition, textbook costs, application fees, childcare and transportation. COD Human Services Associate Professor Jason Florin said that there is a critical and growing need for mental health support professionals in DuPage County. “The rapidly growing peer workforce is an integral part of behavioral health treatment,” he said. “Increasingly in the last decade, these highly trained and competent peers are being hired in a variety of different health care settings, non-profits and other recovery-oriented systems.” Certified Recovery Support Specialists bring not only their expertise, but compassion, hope, and honesty to any team offering treatment and recovery services, said COD Human Services Professor Andrea Polites. “The new CRSS program at COD creates a win-win scenario,” she said. “The organization hiring someone in recovery gains an employee with competency in utilizing their life experiences to help others, and upon completion of our program, the student is qualified for gainful employment, where they can leverage their lived experience to support and mentor others, while expanding their skillset,” she said. Program graduates can sit for two certification exams through the Illinois Certification Board—Certified Recovery Support Specialist (CRSS) or Certified Peer Recovery Specialist (CPRS). For more information about the CRSS program, contact Florin at florin@cod.edu or (630) 942-2043. Learn more about the COD Human Services Program. Watch a video of Florin discussing the importance of the new CRSSS program: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QInT4eauXfs ### Contact Details Angela Mennecke +1 630-942-3134 menneckea@cod.edu

March 14, 2022 08:00 AM Central Daylight Time

ibble Launches Social Networking App Landing One Of The Largest Series Seed Funding In Texas History

ibble

ibble, a new social media app empowering people to spark conversations and ignite new ideas has received $12.7MM, the largest series seed funding round in Texas history. Leading the seed round was Drive Capital followed by TTV Capital, Unknown Ventures, and Get Engaged Media. The investment in ibble comes amidst societies overwhelming frustrations with current social media platforms as they increasingly cut content; remove conversations and restrict engagement. “ibble is a Social Media App built on the idea of learning through conversations and having the ability to talk directly with the experts without the friction that currently exists on traditional social media apps and platforms,” said Raymond Kaminski, CEO and Co-founder of ibble. “We believe that talking with your community, not at your community, through the power of audio and video can spark more meaningful conversations and create more insightful engagement." ibble’s mission is to help people connect with and learn from experts through the power of video and audio conversations. Users are able to ask experts questions directly as well as spark conversations with their peers, naturally expanding candid conversations without friction. Is an expert always right? No, of course not. We believe what makes someone an "expert" is their relentless pursuit of the truth about a certain subject and their willingness to share it. For people who have been frustrated by structured and ad focused social media platforms that stifle conversations and are not easily suited to video and audio conversations, the solution is ibble – the social media app built by a distinguished team of entrepreneurs who believe that conversations and connections must have a healthy environment to thrive and grow in this digital age. “Brands, celebrities, influencers, the news, sports figures and more are looking for new ways to engage but that is almost impossible when dealing with the limits of current social media apps and platforms,” said Irving Lee, Co-Founder and Head of Partnerships at ibble. “We built ibble knowing that authenticity is not found in a like, comment or status update, and how could it? ibble provides a platform that celebrates real conversations with real people and threads that mirror real life conversations; conversations you can jump in and out of." With ibble anything is possible through the power of conversation. Users can start a video or audio conversation about their favorite show. They can also ask their favorite influencer or celebrity a question and get a response back with a simple click of a button. ibble makes conversation easy because ibble has made conversation through social media possible, with a focus on the natural flow of conversations and questions. For brands, shows, influencers, celebrities and others, ibble has made it easy to talk with their community members directly while not having to worry about being throttled or competing brands advertised to them while they are communicating with them. About ibble ibble is the social media app that enables experts and their communities to directly engage through audio and video conversations. ibble makes events more accessible and adds depth through back-and-forth video and audio posts. Learn more at https://www.getibble.com/ Contact Details ibble Jason Jepson +1 949-394-7033 press@ibble.io Company Website https://www.getibble.com/

March 10, 2022 09:00 AM Eastern Standard Time

Video

GROUNDWORK BIOAG NAMED THIRD MOST INNOVATIVE FOOD COMPANY IN THE WORLD BY FAST COMPANY

Groundwork BioAg

Groundwork BioAg® has been selected by Fast Company as one of the World’s Most Innovative Food Companies for 2022. The bioagriculture company was recognized for tackling grand challenges facing humankind today: food security, soil health and climate change. Groundwork BioAg ensures farmers have access to its cost-effective mycorrhizal inoculants that increase yield while reducing the use of phosphorus, protecting against drought and permanently sequestering carbon. The company’s Rootella® product line sets the standard for quality, concentration and predictability through its mass production technology innovation. This translates to greater in-field performance to help farmers grow more productive and resilient crops. “We are honored to stand with this prestigious group of companies recognized by Fast Company for innovation that is transforming the world today,” said Dr. Yossi Kofman, CEO and Co-Founder, Groundwork BioAg. "As commercial agriculture reconciles societal shifts and climate change realities, the industry is adopting more regenerative practices that reduce farmers’ dependence on toxic and expensive chemical fertilizers. For the health of our planet and all who live here, we remain committed to restoring the world’s soils with the mainstream application of mycorrhizae – the Queen of Biologicals.” Applied on more than one million acres in 2021, Groundwork BioAg accelerated global production and expanded product formulations and application methods. Previously, the biotechnology and manufacturing processes were too complex and costly to produce a highly effective and affordable inoculant for mainstream agriculture. “The industrial agriculture revolution only took society so far and its potential has been exhausted. Groundwork BioAg’s innovations are at the epicenter of the next agricultural revolution — the bioagricultural revolution — and it will grow, as healthy plants do, from soil rich in mycorrhizae,” said Kofman. As part of its annual process, Fast Company ’s editors and writers sought out the most groundbreaking businesses across the globe and industries. The World’s Most Innovative Companies is Fast Company ’s signature franchise and provides both a snapshot and a roadmap for the future of innovation across the most dynamic sectors of the global economy. “The world’s most innovative companies play an essential role in addressing the most pressing issues facing society, whether they’re fighting climate change by spurring decarbonization efforts, ameliorating the strain on supply chains, or helping us reconnect with one another over shared passions,” said Fast Company Deputy Editor David Lidsky. Fast Company ’s Most Innovative Companies issue (March/April 2022) is available online and on newsstands beginning March 15. About Groundwork BioAg Groundwork BioAg, a global bioagriculture company, leverages the natural power of mycorrhizal fungi to improve the productivity, sustainability and profitability of mainstream agriculture and expand regenerative agriculture practices. Groundwork BioAg is the first to use innovative techniques to solve challenges inherent in high-volume mycorrhizal inoculant production. We will not rest until every hectare of arable land is protected by mycorrhizae and every farmer benefits from higher crop yields while preserving our soils. For more information, visit www.groundworkbioag.com. Contact Details AgTech PR for Groundwork BioAg Jennifer Goldston +1 816-260-0040 jennifer@agtechpr.com Company Website https://www.groundworkbioag.com

March 09, 2022 07:30 AM Central Standard Time