Terminal illness

"LUKi & The Lights" Animated Short Film Illuminates ALS Diagnosis for Young Audiences

Retrieved on: 
Friday, March 8, 2024

ARLINGTON, Va., March 7, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- "LUKi & The Lights," an animated short film aimed at helping young audiences understand and cope with the complexities of ALS, will make its public premiere at Cinema Village in New York City on March 22. Created by Sascha Groen and her husband, Anjo Snijders, who was diagnosed with ALS in 2017 at the age of 35, "LUKi & The Lights" follows the journey of LUKi, a charming robot who navigates life after being diagnosed with ALS, an always fatal neurodegenerative disease that does not have a cure. The film leverages the power of animation to tell the story of LUKi and his friends, which makes it easy for children in any culture to understand. Through the evocative power of animation, the film transcends language barriers, allowing children worldwide to grasp the devastating nature of ALS.

Key Points: 
  • Through the evocative power of animation, the film transcends language barriers, allowing children worldwide to grasp the devastating nature of ALS.
  • He and his wife Sascha realized the need for resources to explain ALS to their own children after his diagnosis.
  • "We have already seen the tremendous reception the film has received both within the film and ALS communities.
  • During this time, audiences of all ages will have the opportunity to experience the heartfelt story of LUKi and his journey with ALS.

Frederick Marx, Warrior Films founder, Oscar and Emmy-nominated Filmmaker and Author Launches Limited Ebook Giveaway

Retrieved on: 
Tuesday, December 5, 2023

“Warrior Films is a small nonprofit company,” Marx says.

Key Points: 
  • “Warrior Films is a small nonprofit company,” Marx says.
  • It's a huge shift, and it outlines the emotional arc of the book's journey,” he says.
  • I sat down and it just poured out of me; I completed the first draft in less than two months.
  • All the stories are drawn from Marx’s personal life and reflect his long standing interest in growth, maturation, and change.

UNIVERSITY OF NEW ENGLAND ONLINE OFFERING CONTINUING EDUCATION COURSES FOR THOSE LOOKING TO BOOST PROFESSIONAL SKILLS

Retrieved on: 
Thursday, December 14, 2023

PORTLAND, Maine, Dec. 14, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The University of New England (UNE) Online has long been recognized as a leader in providing high-quality, 100% online graduate degree programs in numerous disciplines. Now, they are expanding their offerings to include continuing education programs across a wide array of fields.

Key Points: 
  • Now, they are expanding their offerings to include continuing education programs across a wide array of fields.
  • Beth Taylor-Nolan, dean of UNE Online, said, "Our continuing education programs and courses are designed to help individuals acquire professional expertise, stay current with industry trends, and expand their career prospects.
  • The University of New England Online (UNE Online) offers a diverse range of continuing education programs, courses and professional certificates designed to enhance skills, broaden knowledge, and promote lifelong learning.
  • UNE Online's continuing education programs cater to a variety of interests and fields, ranging from healthcare and business to social work and education.

TransMedia Group Ensures Media Will Learn About 'Living Benefits' in Insurance Five Rings Financial's Agents Provide

Retrieved on: 
Wednesday, December 6, 2023

TransMedia plans to inform media how Brazillionaires keeps over 20,000 families protected with life insurance policies, some of which have paid over $12 million in living benefits, while its more than 700 licensed agents have earned over $33 million in well-deserved commissions.

Key Points: 
  • TransMedia plans to inform media how Brazillionaires keeps over 20,000 families protected with life insurance policies, some of which have paid over $12 million in living benefits, while its more than 700 licensed agents have earned over $33 million in well-deserved commissions.
  • TransMedia plans to make families with touching success stories available for media interviews.
  • Such accounts include a 29-year-old woman in good health suddenly diagnosed with cancer requiring many months treatment.
  • "Media are going to love to talk to such a colorful Brazilian couple as Gustavo and Marina about their success in founding Brazillionaires after coming to America," said Mazzone.

The 100 Club Arizona Receives $4.8 Million Grant Over Three Years from The Bob & Renee Parsons Foundation

Retrieved on: 
Tuesday, September 5, 2023

PHOENIX, Sept. 5, 2023 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- The 100 Club of Arizona is pleased to announce The Bob & Renee Parsons Foundation has issued an up to $4.8 million grant over the next three years. The funds will help further the organization's mission of supporting first responders and their families who have experienced trauma and loss in the line of duty, as well as support capacity building programs for the organization.

Key Points: 
  • PHOENIX, Sept. 5, 2023 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- The 100 Club of Arizona is pleased to announce The Bob & Renee Parsons Foundation has issued an up to $4.8 million grant over the next three years.
  • "Supporting the brave individuals who put our community first every day is a priority for us," said Renee Parsons, Co-Founder, The Bob & Renee Parsons Foundation.
  • "We want first responders and their families to know the community cares about them..."
    "We've witnessed a rise in mental health issues in basically every community across our country," said Bob Parsons, Co-Founder, The Bob & Renee Parsons Foundation.
  • "Supporting the brave individuals who put our community first every day is a priority for us," said Renee Parsons, Co-Founder, The Bob & Renee Parsons Foundation.

What actually is palliative care? And how is it different to end-of-life care?

Retrieved on: 
Friday, August 4, 2023

Palliative care aims to prevent and relieve physical, social, emotional, spiritual and existential distress.

Key Points: 
  • Palliative care aims to prevent and relieve physical, social, emotional, spiritual and existential distress.
  • Palliative care also supports family caregivers during the disease journey and bereavement phase.
  • It is not just for people who are about to die and seeking palliative care does not mean “giving up”.

Not just for someone’s final days

    • The full benefit of this holistic approach can only be realised if people are referred early to palliative care – ideally from the time they are diagnosed with a terminal illness.
    • Unfortunately, this rarely happens and palliative care tends to blur with end-of-life care.

Palliative care can involve difficult conversations

    • Palliative care can be provided at home, hospital, hospice or residential aged care facility, depending on the preference and circumstances of patients and their family carers.
    • Patient preferences for care and what matters most to them are discussed with their doctor or other health professionals and with their loved ones with advance care planning.
    • These discussions can include information on their preferred place of care, preferred place of death, personal care needs such as dietary preferences and religious and spiritual practices.

How palliative care delivery has changed

    • But research indicates a solely clinical model of palliative care (mainly symptom management funded through the health system) is inadequate to address the complex aspects of death, dying, loss and grief.
    • A public health palliative care approach views the community as an equal partner in the long and complex task of providing quality health care at the end of someone’s life.
    • It promotes conversations about patients’ and families’ goals of care, what matters to them, their needs and wishes, minimising barriers to a “good death”, and supporting the family post-bereavement.
    • Read more:
      Passed away, kicked the bucket, pushing up daisies – the many ways we don't talk about death

Tailored to need

    • Palliative care should be tailored to each person, rather than a one-size-fits-all clinical model that doesn’t respect autonomy and choice.
    • Palliative care hospitalisations have increased in recent years compared to all hospitalisations, with 65% of such admissions ending with the patient dying in hospital.

The Lundquist Institute Receives Gift from the Samberg Foundation to Study the Use of Psilocybin in Alleviating Demoralization and Psychological Distress in Palliative Care

Retrieved on: 
Monday, July 24, 2023

Los Angeles, California, July 24, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The Joe & Sandy Samberg Foundation has made a gift of $300,000 to The Lundquist Institute to study the use of psilocybin in alleviating demoralization and the psychological distress associated with life-threatening illness in palliative care.

Key Points: 
  • Los Angeles, California, July 24, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The Joe & Sandy Samberg Foundation has made a gift of $300,000 to The Lundquist Institute to study the use of psilocybin in alleviating demoralization and the psychological distress associated with life-threatening illness in palliative care.
  • The gift will facilitate an FDA-approved multi-site clinical trial.
  • Our earlier research with psilocybin suggests that improved mood and lessening of death anxiety and demoralization can occur, even in the context of extreme and dire health circumstances.
  • We are very thankful to the Samberg Foundation for this gift, which allows us to continue to explore this promising therapy in FDA-clinical trials.”

Bahamas Ministry of Tourism, Investments & Aviation officials express condolences on the Passing of Jill Stewart

Retrieved on: 
Monday, July 17, 2023

Jill Stewart was born in The Bahamas and in 2005 moved to Jamaica where she made her home alongside her beloved husband Adam Stewart.

Key Points: 
  • Jill Stewart was born in The Bahamas and in 2005 moved to Jamaica where she made her home alongside her beloved husband Adam Stewart.
  • Mrs. Stewart passed away peacefully on the evening of Friday, 14 July, surrounded by family and friends.
  • Latia Duncombe, Director General of The Bahamas Ministry of Tourism, Investments & Aviation also expressed her sentiments on the passing of Jill Stewart: "Our hearts go out to Mr. Adam Stewart and his family.
  • In going public with her year-long struggle with cancer, Mrs. Stewart gave a gift to the world.

WealthVest, in partnership with Prosperity Life Group, to deliver two new indices from Fidelity Investments

Retrieved on: 
Friday, July 7, 2023

BOZEMAN, Mont., July 7, 2023 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- WealthVest, a financial services marketing and wholesaling firm, in partnership with Prosperity Life Group, is please to introduce WealthSecure℠, a fixed indexed annuity offering multiple crediting strategies, including two exclusive indices from Fidelity Investments.

Key Points: 
  • Prosperity Life Group's WealthSecure℠ Fixed Indexed Annuities offer multiple crediting strategies linked to two exclusive indices from Fidelity Investments.
  • BOZEMAN, Mont., July 7, 2023 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- WealthVest, a financial services marketing and wholesaling firm, in partnership with Prosperity Life Group, is please to introduce WealthSecure℠, a fixed indexed annuity offering multiple crediting strategies, including two exclusive indices from Fidelity Investments.
  • "We are excited to work with Fidelity Investments and Prosperity Life Group to offer competitive principal-protected retirement solutions to financial professionals and their clients," said Andrew Keizer, Vice President, Marketing, WealthVest.
  • WealthSecure℠ features 1- and 2-year point-to-point participation rate strategies on both the Fidelity U.S. Quality Factor Index℠ 5% ER and Fidelity Stocks for Inflation Index℠ 5% ER.

Should terminally ill young people be able to choose voluntary assisted dying? The ACT is considering it

Retrieved on: 
Tuesday, July 4, 2023

The ACT Labor-Greens government is currently considering legalising voluntary assisted dying, as has recently occurred in all six Australian states.

Key Points: 
  • The ACT Labor-Greens government is currently considering legalising voluntary assisted dying, as has recently occurred in all six Australian states.
  • The ACT proposes not setting a minimum age requirement for access to voluntary assisted dying.

ACT could be the first

    • If passed, the ACT would become the first Australian jurisdiction to allow access to voluntary assisted dying by people under 18.
    • Internationally, only three countries – the Netherlands, Belgium and Colombia – permit minors to access voluntary assisted dying or euthanasia.

Suffering doesn’t discriminate by age

    • Young people, just like adults, may also be suffering intolerably from an incurable terminal illness.
    • Age limits are only an approximation of a person’s capacity to make one’s own decisions in important matters of life and death.
    • In Belgium, where no minimum age is stipulated (provided children understand the decision they are making), children as young as 9 and 11 have been granted access to euthanasia.

Checks and balances required

    • Parental consent is required in addition to the child’s consent for all children in Belgium (except emancipated minors), and for children aged under 16 in the Netherlands and under 14 in Colombia.
    • For children aged 16 to 17 in the Netherlands, and 14 to 17 in Colombia, parents are informed and consulted about the young person’s decision.
    • Some jurisdictions, including Belgium and Columbia, require extra consultations above those required for adults, to confirm a young person’s capacity to make the decision to end their life.

How many young people could choose voluntary assisted dying?

    • There is not likely to be a great need for young people to access voluntary assisted dying in the ACT.
    • Although cases of terminally ill young people seeking access to VAD are likely to be exceptional, they will occasionally arise.

How else could ACT laws be different?

    • Some other departures from the Australian model proposed by the ACT government are likely to have a far greater impact than the inclusion of minors.
    • Another proposal with far-reaching ramifications is whether a request for voluntary assisted dying can be made in an advance directive.

Under consideration

    • The next step is for the ACT government to develop its preferred model law to legalise voluntary assisted dying in the territory.
    • It will then be considered by a parliamentary committee, before being debated in the ACT Legislative Assembly some time next year.