(NewsUSA) - Marine Toys for Tots, best known as the Nation's premier children's Christmastime charity, doesn't wait until the holiday season to support children in need. Toys for Tots has evolved into a year-round force for good, and 2024 marks its fourth annual Christmas in July initiative to bring joy, magic, and hope to underprivileged children across the United States.

"Needs aren't seasonal, and neither is Toys for Tots," says LtGen Jim Laster, USMC (Retired), President and CEO of the Marine Toys for Tots Foundation.  "With the rising cost of living and other economic challenges, parents are finding it increasingly difficult to pay bills and put food on their family's table.  Buying toys, books, or games for their children seems completely out of reach," he emphasized. "With the support from our generous donors, we can make sure every child's future is as bright as possible – and deliver the magic of the holiday season in July."

As in previous years, Toys for Tots partners with local nonprofits across the country to deliver hope and emotional support to struggling families who need it the most. Toys for Tots' year-round initiatives, which include Christmas in July and ongoing programs to support children's literacy and children in Foster Care, have become especially valuable as more families struggle with the impact of inflation and other challenging financial circumstances.

Amidst the stress of rising costs for everything from gas, groceries, and other basic necessities, Toys for Tots' year-round programs strive to provide a sense of normalcy and comfort to children in need, with hope for brighter days ahead.

"With every gift that is given, our generous supporters show how much they care about children who face poverty every day of the year. Santa's boots are big ones to fill, but if anyone's up to the task, it is our faithful donors," LtGen Laster adds.

The generosity of the American public makes a significant difference to underserved communities, and especially to children. Every contribution made is a gift of hope to a child in need – and a reminder of a brighter tomorrow.

Celebrate Christmas in July and be part of Toys for Tots' mission as a year-round force for good!

For more information and to donate, visit https://secure.toysfortots.org/a/evergreen-news.

(JC Scott) - Recently, there has been a lot of discussion by politicians about how to address prescription drug prices and out-of-pocket costs for Americans. Unfortunately, some of that discussion has wrongfully pointed the finger at pharmacy benefit companies (PBMs).

How do PBMs work? PBMs help ensure more than 275 million Americans can get the medicines they need, easily and affordably. Your employer or health insurance company chooses to hire a PBM for their expertise in prescription drugs and pharmacy benefits. PBMs negotiate directly with drug companies to lower drug costs by $1,040 per patient every year. They also reduce medication errors, provide valuable clinical services, and help keep patients healthy.

Because of the savings PBMs secure, drug companies who want to be paid more for their products and pharmacies that want to be paid more for their services are funding self-interested attacks on the PBM industry.

Americans should be skeptical of these attacks on PBMs – the only stakeholder dedicated to lowering drug costs.

Concerningly, some members of Congress have taken the bait from drug companies and are considering misguided policies targeting PBMs. For example, a proposed policy called “delinking” is being pushed as a solution, yet respected economists from the University of Chicago, USC Schaeffer Center, and Jack Kemp Foundation agree that the policy would instead increase costs for patients, employers, and taxpayers.

Fortunately, encouraging innovation in the pharmacy benefits market is improving how patients access and pay for their prescription drugs. For example:

• The PBM marketplace has grown more competitive with over 70 full-service companies offering varying benefit design and contracting options.
• In light of rising drug prices, PBMs have implemented new innovative offerings to help employers lower out-of-pocket costs for patients.
• PBMs have responded to the high list prices of popular GLP-1 weight loss medications by negotiating savings and providing employers options to cover these drugs.
• Greater biosimilar uptake is being encouraged by PBMs, as a more affordable alternative to high-priced brand name drugs.
• PBMs are empowering pharmacists to practice at the top of their license and implementing programs to support rural pharmacies.

Policymakers have an opportunity to deliver what patients need when it comes to prescription drugs – lower costs and better access. By encouraging the market to continue innovating to address these needs and tailoring policies to promote competition and build on this progress, we can work together to help patients have affordable access to the drugs they need.

Learn more about how PBMs are delivering value to patients, employers, and pharmacies at www.HowPBMsWork.org.

(NewsUSA) - Stress continues to permeate the lives of many people worldwide, and data shows that 80% of chronic diseases have roots in stress, according to Kiran Dintyala, MD, a physician also known as Dr. Calm.

Dr. Dintyala has dedicated his medical practice to a combination of internal medicine, functional medicine, and stress management to help people lead healthier and more fulfilling lives. He combines management of physical illnesses as well as mental health issues such as depression and anxiety with preventive and therapeutic strategies that promote total well being.

In 2007, Dr. Dintyala was experiencing extreme stress caused by a combination of financial crises and career challenges. His personal journey resulted in the discovery of the power of calmness and self-realization to help manage stress and get out of a downward spiral of negativity.

Dr. Dintyala helps others find calm through his stress management program, called Happiness Therapy. The program includes guidance on how to quiet the racing brain, conquer life’s challenges and find peace even in the midst of difficult circumstances. The 3-Step Simple Calmness System was designed to help harmonize one’s life with a combination of tranquility, wisdom, and right decision making.

“Your ability to tap into rational brain depends on your ability to quiet your thoughts and remain calm," said Dr. Dintyala.

Remaining calm in the midst of political chaos during this election season is quite a challenge for many, and Dr. Dintyala takes it head on in his new book, “The Mantra of Peaceful Politics—Seven Prescriptions by Dr. Calm.” The book provides insights on stress management and strategies in seven areas: Stay Calm in the Midst of Chaos, Decide Who to Vote For, Resolve Conflicts and Build Relationships, Guard Your Mind from Negativity, Improve Your Mental Health, Find Peace of Mind, and Be Happy and Prosperous No Matter What.

As the 2024 Presidential election draws near, stress, fear, and turmoil are on the rise among both political parties and the American public. “From politicians to the voters, everyone is feeling anxious as their fates unravel over the next few months,” Dr. Dintyala wrote in the introduction to the book.

Brushing off the overwhelming negativity is the key to maintaining mental health, Dr. Dintyala says, and compares the mental brush-off to daily tooth brushing to remove plaque buildup whether dental or mental. “It’s important that we all take a deep breath, relax, and stay calm so our minds remain clear. That’s the only way to maintain our sanity and make the right decisions about voting,” he adds.

Click here for the book The Mantra of Peaceful Politics https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0D9FSHX31?

Visit  https://www.stressfreerevolution.com/happiness-therapy349877 for Happiness Therapy

(NewsUSA) - It’s stunning to realize that only 10 states make birth records available to American-born adoptees and their biological parents. For adult adoptees born in the 20^th century era of closed adoptions, this presents a painful obstacle to discovering their origins and ending the agonizing hunger to know their own identity.

Janet Sherlund poignantly captures this journey in her elegant and heart-wrenching memoir, ABANDONED AT BIRTH: Searching for the Arms That Once Held Me. Sherlund paints a vivid portrait of the detachment and longing of an adopted child and the lifelong quest to find her biological mother. It’s an unflinching examination of the grief and trauma caused by this primal separation and the dogged determination it takes to face the forces of opposition—both internal and external—to finally achieve answers.

ABANDONED AT BIRTH illuminates the darker side of adoption, and what it takes to heal. “I hope it starts conversations about the rights of those given away, loss and grief in adoption, the biology of belonging and identity, and why love is not always enough to extinguish the pain,” Sherlund says.

Like many adoptees of her generation, Sherlund was the offspring of teenaged parents. Her mother was forced to have her baby in secrecy. Sherlund would come to learn that her mother was unusual for her time. Not only did she not tell the father she was pregnant, she wanted nothing to do with her baby and never even looked at her newborn.

All Sherlund had to go on when she began her search was a false narrative written about her biological parents by the adoption agency. The twists and turns, setbacks and disappointments, and surprising familial connections finally achieved make ABANDONED AT BIRTH a page-turner of a memoir.

For Sherlund, who raised her family and served on nonprofit boards in education, health and the cultural arts before writing her memoir, her single most significant life event was being given up for adoption at birth. Being adopted undermined her sense of trust and personal value and impacted every decision she made. Her memoir fulfills a lifelong dream of raising awareness about loss and grief in adoption, and why it takes more than love to survive that trauma.

Says Jenifer Eckert, founder of Boston Post Adoption Resources, “Janet's book is a gift to anyone touched by adoption or wonders what it is like to be adopted. Her personal story of search and reunion is beautifully and honestly told. Through Janet's journey we get an intimate understanding of what it is like to finally discover your identity after years of wondering and searching.”

Learn more at https://www.abandonedatbirthbook.com and purchase the book at https://bit.ly/44Io68F.

(NewsUSA) - The viruses that cause COVID-19 and flu continuously change or “mutate” to escape our natural immune responses and the protection provided by vaccines. As a result, for both flu and COVID-19, vaccination is not a “one and done” proposition.  

Fortunately, as these viruses change, flu and COVID-19 vaccines are updated to protect the public against the variants that are currently circulating. Experts at Champions for Vaccine Education, Equity, and Progress (CVEEP)—a coalition dedicated to educating the public about vaccines and promoting equity and access—emphasize that the best way to reduce the risk of severe illness from both flu and COVID-19 is to stay up to date with recommended vaccinations.

Some viruses, such as those that cause measles and polio, change infrequently. This means that the vaccines for these viruses can provide immunity that is longer-lasting. By contrast, frequent changes in the viruses that cause COVID-19 and flu mean the protection provided by these vaccines will wane as new variants emerge.

Flu and COVID-19 are serious diseases. Between October 1, 2023, and June 1, 2024, there were approximately 44,000 deaths attributed to COVID-19, and at least 24,000 deaths associated with flu. These numbers highlight the ongoing importance of staying current with vaccinations to protect yourself and your family from these viruses. 

Updated flu and COVID-19 vaccines will be available this fall that are formulated to protect against the variants that are most likely to be circulating during the upcoming respiratory illness season. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends the 2024-2025 COVID-19 vaccines and routine annual influenza vaccines for individuals aged 6 months and older.

COVID-19 remains a serious threat to public health and still poses significant risks. Staying current on your flu and COVID-19 vaccines is the best way to maintain protection from these illnesses. Help reduce the risk of interruptions and challenges that come from upticks in flu and COVID-19 infections by getting vaccinated this fall. 

Visit cveep.org/stayupdated for more information or consult with your healthcare provider.

(NewsUSA) - Los virus que causan el COVID-19 y la gripe cambian continuamente o "mutan" para escapar de nuestras respuestas inmunitarias naturales y de la protección proporcionada por las vacunas. Como resultado, tanto para la gripe como para el COVID-19, la vacunación no es una proposición de "una sola vez".

Afortunadamente, a medida que estos virus cambian, las vacunas contra la gripe y el COVID-19 se actualizan para proteger al público contra las variantes que están circulando actualmente. Los expertos de los Defensores de la Educación, la Equidad y el Progreso de la Vacunación (CVEEP, por sus siglas en inglés), son una coalición dedicada a educar al público sobre las vacunas y promover la equidad y el acceso y enfatizan que la mejor manera de reducir el riesgo de enfermedades graves tanto por la gripe como por el COVID-19 es mantenerse al día con las vacunas recomendadas.

Algunos virus, como los que causan el sarampión y la polio, cambian con poca frecuencia. Esto significa que las vacunas para estos virus pueden proporcionar una inmunidad que dura más tiempo. Por el contrario, los cambios frecuentes en los virus que causan el COVID-19 y la gripe significan que la protección proporcionada por estas vacunas disminuirá a medida que surjan nuevas variantes.

La gripe y el COVID-19 son enfermedades graves. Entre el 1 de octubre de 2023 y el 1 de junio de 2024, hubo aproximadamente 44,000 muertes atribuidas al COVID-19 y al menos 24,000 muertes asociadas con la gripe. Estos números destacan la importancia continua de mantenerte al día con las vacunas para protegerte a ti mismo y a tu familia de estos virus.

Este otoño estarán disponibles vacunas actualizadas contra la gripe y el COVID-19, formuladas para proteger contra las variantes que probablemente estarán circulando durante la próxima temporada de enfermedades respiratorias. Los Centros para el Control y la Prevención de Enfermedades (CDC, por sus siglas en inglés), recomiendan las vacunas contra el COVID-19 para 2024-2025 y las vacunas anuales de rutina contra la influenza para todas las personas de 6 meses y mayores.

El COVID-19 sigue siendo una amenaza seria para la salud pública y aún representa riesgos significativos. Mantenerte al día con tus vacunas contra la gripe y el COVID-19 es la mejor manera de mantener la protección contra estas enfermedades. Ayuda a reducir el riesgo de interrupciones y desafíos que surgen de los aumentos en las infecciones de la gripe y el COVID-19 vacunándote este otoño.

Visita cveep.org/es/mantentealdia para obtener más información o consulta con tu proveedor de atención médica.

(NewsUSA) - Getting the family together for meals is not always easy, but an increasing body of scientific evidence supports the benefits of family mealtimes and the value in making them a priority. Families who share more meals together eat more healthfully, regardless of children’s age, socioeconomic status, or level of education, according to the FMI Foundation. The FMI Foundation is a nonprofit organization that supports research, education, and resources in the area of health and well-being, including food safety, nutrition, and social responsibility.

Benefits of family meals include positive relationships with favorable mealtime behaviors, increased intake of better-for-you foods, reduced consumption of sugary beverages, and better overall nutritional health, studies show.

• An in-depth analysis of multiple studies showed positive associations between children’s nutritional health and five mealtime factors: 
  • no TV on during meals
  • parents’ setting a good example of healthy eating behaviors
  • higher food quality, positive atmosphere
  • children's involvement in meal preparation
  • longer meal duration.

• Family meals have a positive effect on the nutritional health of older as well as younger children. Another study including nearly 2,000 children and adolescents up to age 17 years showed younger children who participated in more than five family meals each week drank significantly fewer sugar-sweetened beverages, while older children and teens ate more fruits and vegetables than those who participated less frequently in family mealtimes.

• In a 2023 a randomized, clinical trial, a design that delivers the highest level of evidence in clinical practice, was conducted among children aged 6 to 11 years. The findings showed that increasing the length of family mealtimes by 10 minutes significantly increased the amounts of fruits and vegetables eaten. These results support data from a separate 2018 study in which preschoolers who participated in fewer than three evening family meals per week ate significantly fewer fruits and vegetables than preschoolers who participated in family evening meals each night.

The increasing recognition of the many benefits of family meals has prompted the creation of the Family Meals Movement—a year-round celebration of the many benefits of family meals as supported by research studies. The movement is an extension of National Family Meals Month™, celebrated each September. Learn more at www.FamilyMealsMovement.org.

(NewsUSA) - “I don’t know which is worse: disease of the human body or disease of humanity.” 

That’s the provocative question raised by the protagonist, Dr. Mark Lin, in author Anthony Lee’s debut medical thriller, the disturbing and dark DOCTOR LUCIFER, which has been drawing praise from fans of Robin Cook's Pandemic and Michael Crichton's State of Fear. 

“I may be a doctor, but I’m not like the rest of them. Docs typically treat without judgment, no matter who the patients are or how they live. Not me. I question the value of my work now and then. Does it really improve society, or is it wasted on the worst among us?” 

In today’s digital world, no one is safe from cyberattacks. Not even medical doctors and hospitals. Can a hacker remotely kill a doctor’s patients just by altering medical records? 

Dr. Lin, a proficient but cynical and disillusioned internist, is the target of such a hacker, known as Doctor Lucifer. Three of his patients at Ivory Memorial Hospital suffer from medication errors, created by the hacker, yet Mark is forced to take the blame. However, he knows that a computer worm is spreading worldwide and crippling network security everywhere. When Doctor Lucifer threatens more patient deaths, Mark vows to defend his honor. 

Together with the hospital’s information technology team, Mark scrambles to outwit the hacker and avert one medical crisis after another. But the consequences of Doctor Lucifer’s actions still hurt Mark, who soon hits rock bottom at the hands of a vengeful widow and an egotistical surgeon. He has no choice but to hunt down and confront Doctor Lucifer, an enemy with a truly malicious purpose. 

DOCTOR LUCIFER, Lee’s debut novel that is the first of a series, is a new take on the medical thriller, featuring unusual life-and-death situations, an antihero doctor taking center stage, and hard-hitting commentary on the state of humanity itself.  

The author has a unique background in medicine. After graduating from medical school, he switched from clinical medicine to health technology assessment, analyzing new medical tests and treatments in a career spanning over 15 years. 

BookLife says of DOCTOR LUCIFER, "Lee deftly weaves real-world concerns about cybersecurity into the fabric of his narrative, highlighting the vulnerability of medical institutions….Fans of medical and hacker thrillers will relish Lin's outrage and determination under impossible pressure." 

"Lee has a real knack for tension, crafting an exhilarating dive into the world of cybercrime and medical suspense that successfully blends elements of thriller and wider social commentary on the vulnerabilities of modern technology,” writes K.C. Finn of Readers’ Favorite. “This solid foundation of realistic and well-thought-out concepts allows the character-driven drama to shine.” 

 
Learn more at  https://www.anthonyleebooks.com and Purchase DOCTOR LUCIFER at https://bit.ly/4a3ZKXY. 

(NewsUSA) - As the costs of things rise, it is more important than ever for families to shop smart at the grocery store, especially when preparing for the back-to-school season and all those school-day lunches children will need. Incorporating simple tips and tricks into your shopping trip routine can help you cut costs while still prioritizing healthy, delicious meals.

“Being on a budget doesn’t mean you can’t fill your cart with healthy foods,” said Emily Hicks, a registered dietitian nutritionist for KinderCare. “Plan ahead and think creatively, and you’ll find that you can feed your family a variety of tasty, nutritional meals without breaking your budget.”

1. Buy in bulk. Take advantage of large quantity deals for items your family frequently eats. A large package of chicken breast can go into chicken tacos, pulled chicken sandwiches or chicken and rice bowls. This also helps to make packing lunches easier because if you already have some items prepped, school lunch can be grab-and-go. You can also prepare double batches of some family favorites to freeze for a quick, go-to meal on busy days. Be sure to store these items properly to maximize their shelf life and reduce waste to get the most bang for your buck.
2. Plan ahead. Create a meal-planning list and stick to it. Before your grocery trip, compare prices and search for coupons to find the best deals on the items you need. Remember, frozen fruits and vegetables often have the same nutrition benefits at a fraction of the cost of fresh or prepared options. They may also be less expensive than fresh produce, especially if they’re on sale. Eggs, cheese, and yogurt are also excellent animal protein foods and are less expensive than meat, so consider adding them into your meal rotation.
3. Power up with plants. Swap some meat meals for plant proteins, which offer unique health benefits at lower costs. Beans, lentils, soy, quinoa and nuts are all great ways to add protein to a meal without the expense of meat or fish. Peanut butter or other nut butters are excellent plant protein options that are cheap and filling. Try black or pinto beans instead of ground beef or turkey. Make some quinoa and veggies for a plant-powered bowl. Incorporating more fruits and vegetables helps get more fiber into your diet and keeps you feeling full for longer.

“Grocery shopping can also be a fun and educational experience for your kids,” said Hicks. “Bring them along and let them choose fruits and vegetables to prepare and eat for the week. This can foster a sense of unity and shared responsibility in the family, as well as encourage children to try new foods. Studies show that children are more excited about eating healthy foods and more open to trying new foods when they're involved in the process.”

For more nutritionist-approved and kid-tested recipes and tips and tricks for a successful back-to-school season, visit KinderCare.com.

(NewsUSA) - All her life, Darian Tymes has been a high-energy woman with a positive spirit and a can-do attitude. When she started losing her breath and feeling fatigued simply moving from room to room, 80-year-old Darian and her children knew that something was wrong.

With the support of her daughters, Darian made frequent visits to a local cardiologist to try to find the cause of her breathlessness. Unable to make a full diagnosis, her cardiologist referred her to a specialist, Mustafa Ahmed, M.D.

“When she came into my office the first time, I knew she was in trouble,” said Dr. Ahmed. “You knew something was wrong because she is someone who is normally extraordinary, active and independent, and at that moment I saw her quality of life was being impacted.”

After running tests, Dr. Ahmed was able to diagnose Darian with severe aortic stenosis (SAS), a progressive disease that occurs when the heart’s aortic valve narrows, preventing blood from flowing normally. Symptoms of SAS can include chest pain, rapid heart rhythm, trouble breathing and shortness of breath, lightheadedness, difficulty walking short distances, swollen ankles or feet, and difficulty sleeping or needing to sleep sitting up.

Sometimes, it can be easy to confuse these symptoms with general aging, which makes visits to a cardiologist even more important. It is better to get it checked out and be wrong than to have an undiagnosed and untreated heart condition.

SAS affects women differently than men. Generally, women live longer than men, but once women develop SAS, they suffer higher mortality, even when a man and woman are the same age¹. After developing symptoms, and if left untreated, the average patient survival is two years without treatment². Additionally, studies in the US found Black patients with SAS are less likely to receive life-saving treatment compared to other Americans, putting someone like Darian at greater risk³.

After receiving a diagnosis, Darian and her family knew they needed to take action. While Darian was relieved to finally have an answer to her health concerns, she was understandably nervous about what treatment would entail. Years prior, Darian underwent open-heart surgery, an experience that took a toll on her body and she did not want to endure again. Luckily, Darian was told by her doctor that this kind of major surgery was no longer the norm, and she was an ideal candidate for a minimally invasive alternative.

“I asked them, ‘Are they going to cut my chest open again?’ They said, ‘No. It’s a simple, minimally invasive procedure.’ After they told me how they were going to do it I said, ‘Okay I’m ready.’”

Darian received a transcatheter valve replacement (TAVR) procedure. TAVR is a minimally invasive procedure to replace a diseased aortic valve with a new, artificial valve. Instead of traditional open-heart surgery, TAVR uses a thin, flexible tube called a catheter. The doctor guides the catheter to a patient’s heart through blood vessels which can be accessed through the groin, thigh, stomach, chest, neck, or collarbone. The new valve, which is folded inside the catheter, is then placed securely within the existing valve. With no need for surgery, TAVR means a shorter recovery time and less discomfort, helping patients get back to everyday life more quickly.  Because women’s hearts tend to have smaller valves when compared to men, TAVR is a very important treatment option for women.

Darian underwent this procedure with the tested and proven effective Evolut^TM TAVR System from Medtronic to treat her aortic stenosis.

A recent study called the SMART Trial, published in the New England Journal of Medicine, compared the system to other valves on the market and found that the new Evolut valve worked very well and demonstrated excellent patient outcomes, especially in women⁴. These new insights are helping women and their doctors make the decision on what treatment option works best for them.

“Before the procedure, I was not nervous. I was not scared, I was completely relaxed.”

After taking action and undergoing her TAVR procedure, Darian is able to relax once again - if she wants to! No longer feeling shortness of breath and dizziness from walking from room to room, Darian is up and moving, living life the way she always has lived it. “I can walk, I can cook, I can dance, drive…I can do it all myself and I love it. Now at 83 years old, after raising five children, six grandchildren, and working hard, I am entitled to enjoy the rest of my life.”

Seeing Darian back on her feet and on the move has been a joy to her family, and they say that now they even have a hard time keeping up with her.

For more information on aortic stenosis, visit: MyInteractiveASJourney.com

Any forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties such as those described in Medtronic's periodic reports on file with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Actual results may differ materially from anticipated results.

¹Am Heart Assoc. 2021;10:e018816. DOI: 10.1161/JAHA.120.018816,

² Lester SJ, Heilbron B, Gin K, Dodek A, Jue J. The natural history and rate of progression of aortic stenosis. Chest. April 1998;113(4):1109-1114

³Alkhouli, M et al. J Am Coll Cardiol Inntv. 2019 May. 12 (10) 936-948

⁴SMART Trial