How I Reassured Myself I Would Be Okay After My Cancer Diagnosis
In late 2006, I underwent a clean, routine mammogram. Six weeks later, I found a small lump in my left breast. Two weeks and two surgeries after that, on January 23, 2007, I was diagnosed with Stage 2-3 breast cancer. It was the lobular type that doesn’t show up on mammograms…
Imagine if your doctor could personalize your care. IBM researchers predicts that in five years, doctors will routinely use your DNA to keep you well. Cancer could then be treated on a DNA level in both the patient and tumor, at a scale and speed never before possible. Check out the video here.
Studies have shown more than 40 percent of children and adolescents are drinking at least one sugar-sweetened beverage per day. With increasingly high rates of childhood obesity in the U.S., experts are pointing to sugary beverages as the primary driver. So, it’s no wonder the rocket scientist in the video above feels compelled to invent a portable filtration system to put in children’s lunch bags as a safe alternative to soda.
Health happens in schools through a number of ways and it doesn’t take rocket science to find simple, creative solutions to improve the health of our schools…
From pasteurization to deet, the world has seen many health innovations that have inarguably saved lives, reduced illness, and prevented severe outbreaks. Yet whether due to unforeseen consequences, changing moral or cultural attitudes, or environmental concerns, many of these innovations have become sources of controversy and debate today.
Back in September, we launched the GOOD Pioneers of Health Challenge in search of the most creative and innovative leaders in health work across the African continent. The response we got was amazing—and diverse. Health innovation continues to highlight radical people with radical solutions to major global issues.
This is a short list of some of the issues we’ve found ourselves talking about with friends, family, and colleagues. We know there are dozens more that we could include. So tell us: What health innovations are you talking about?
Scientists from Washington University have been struggling for the past decade to decipher the complex structure of a enzyme that exhibits AIDS-like behavior, and which might hold a critical role in building a cure for the disease. Gamers playing spatial game Foldit have managed to collectively determine the enzyme’s structure in ten days.
“The happiest place on earth” just got a little happier for part-time employees at Disney World being offered full-time employment so they can be eligible for health insurance under Obamacare. Reports say more companies are taking the same approach despite claims being made by Obamacare critics. A recent survey done by Duke University says “American companies actually intend to increase their number of full-time employees.”
Each night, write down 3 things that had a positive impact on your day. Whether it be something huge, like completing your first 5k or receiving news of a friend getting engaged, or something small, like the rollerblading ride you shared with a friend or being woken up by your dog, this daily routine will help you focus on the good things in life, appreciate each day as it’s own, and be present.
Calling all creative health leaders across Africa: We’re looking for health and development pioneers working on innovative projects tackling some of the most important issues affecting our world: Maternal & Child Health; HIV/AIDs & Reproductive Health; and TB & Malaria.
Submit your project between now and October 15 to the Africa Edition of the GOOD Maker Pioneers of Health Challenge. Up to five winners with the most innovative solutions will join us for the GOOD Pioneers of Health Exchange, a four day collaboratory in Cape Town, South Africa from December 10 through 13. Powered by GOOD and Name Your Hood, the Exchange will be an opportunity to share and accelerate exciting solutions in health with fellow innovators, prominent health leaders, government officials and other nonprofit organizations.
Whether you’re a designer or engineer, community health worker or passionate advocate, we want to hear about your insights for some of the most pressing health challenges affecting the world. We know that often the best solutions are collaborative and have surprising origins, so share your unique perspective and together, let’s help move the world forward in South Africa.
To read complete rules and and submit, send us your submission here before October 15 noon PDT and you could win a chance to join us in Cape Town.
Follow this challenge on Twitter at @GOODMkr and #PioneersOfHealth. Want to learn more about GOOD Maker? Drop us a line at maker@goodinc.com, sign up for our email list, or check out past and current funding opportunities.
On “Conan,” Louis C.K. offered a perspective on our culture’s use of smart phones that gets to the heart of the matter. He starts with how he won’t allow his kids to have mobile phones, then launches into a moving and hilarious explanation of why that includes insights into cyber-bullying, texting and driving, emotional health, and “being a person.” (Oh, and the amazingness of Bruce Springsteen.) Best advice: “you need to build an ability to just be yourself and not be doing something.”
I love cars. As a teenager, I had twin subscriptions to Car & Driver and Road & Track. My chief school-bus skill was the ability to name the make and model of every vehicle that passed. Until recently, I have always owned the best-handling car I could reasonably afford. I especially love high-revving Japanese sports cars like the one I drove from Miami to Washington, D.C. when I moved here in 2003. I remember the trip lasting about six hours, assisted by a tailwind and a top-of-the-line radar detector.
But an interesting thing happened when I arrived in Washington. I found myself driving less and less, and paying more and more per mile. Aside from trips to Home Depot and the occasional country jaunt, I had no reason to break my car out of its garage. Between walking, biking, and our extensive Metro transit system, driving was rarely the most convenient choice. And the parking lot beneath my apartment building charged a small fortune in fees. Add to that the availability of ZipCar car-sharing in my neighborhood, and it soon became apparent that going car-free was the most convenient option.
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