ReportWire

Tag: Health And Medicine

  • Study shows eating ultra-processed foods can increase risk of colorectal cancer

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    TAMPA, Fla — Registered dietitian and nutrition coach Brooke Sobh makes her family a big balanced breakfast every morning, making sure they are getting the right amount of protein, carbs, fats, fiber and omega-3s.

    What You Need To Know

    • Research published in JAMA shows women who eat ultra-processed foods could be at a greater risk of colorectal cancer

    • The study looked at nearly 30,000 women and found that those who ate the most ultra-processed foods were at a 45% higher risk for early-onset colorectal cancer

    • Experts said ultra-processed foods are often considered convenience food and they don’t contain much nutritional value

    • The Moffitt Cancer Center said colorectal cancer could become the second leading cause of cancer death for young women by 2030


    “I want to keep their bellies full. I want to give them a lot of fiber. I don’t want to give them a lot of sugar in the morning because it doesn’t start the day off very good,” she said. “Adding more fruit to the diet, adding more vegetables, adding more fiber, reducing saturated fat, and doing that in combination with whatever else they are looking for.”

    A new study published in JAMA, which looked at nearly 30,000 women under 50, found that those who ate the most ultra-processed foods were at a 45% higher risk for early onset colorectal cancer. 

    “So all these convenience foods that are super sugary, or just in a package, don’t have the real good stuff in it, fiber, omega-3s, protein, that is probably what’s causing them to be sick later in life,” Sobh said.

    A nutrition scientist and registered dietitian at the Moffitt Cancer Center in Tampa said ultra-processed foods can cause inflammation in the body, disrupting the gut microbiome and causing precancerous lesions in the rectum or colon.

    “This is a modifiable lifestyle factor; diet and exercise are typically thought to be modifiable lifestyle factors, so it’s things that we have in our control that could potentially prevent cancer,” said Dr. Sylvia Crowder, assistant member in the Department of Health Outcomes and Behavior at the Moffitt Cancer Center.

    That’s why Sobh prioritizes high-nutrient foods like egg and avocado toast for breakfast. She said not only does it prevent cancer, but it also boosts energy and stabilizes the moods of her two- and four-year-olds. 

    “So I want to keep their bodies nourished so they can learn better and grow up thinking this is how I’m supposed to eat,” Sobh said.

    The Moffitt Cancer Center said colorectal cancer could become the second leading cause of cancer death for young women by 2030.

    For men, it’s projected to be the leading cause of cancer death also by 2030.

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    Tyler O’Neill

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  • Joyride events from Orlando to St. Pete raises funds for HIV services

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    ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — Local advocacy groups are stepping in to support HIV services amid decreasing federal funding, with the annual Joyride event raising over $280,000.

    What You Need To Know

    • Local groups raised $282,431 for HIV services through the Joyride event

    • The 165-mile ride went from Orlando to St. Petersburg

    • Funds support EPIC’s HIV testing, prevention, counseling and housing programs


    In the shadow of St. Pete’s Albert Whitted Airport, cyclists finished their 165-mile journey that started in Orlando.

    “165 miles from Orlando to St. Pete was spectacular,” said Juan Orellana, the first cyclist to complete the annual Joyride. “I hadn’t found an organization or ride that donates 100% of proceeds of what I fundraise to the organizations that need it the most.”

    The money raised is going to organizations like EPIC, or Empath Partners in Care. Joy Winheim runs it.

    “Especially now, when the epidemic has changed, and people don’t think that HIV is quite as scary, the money is just still so important,” Winheim said.

    Winheim says her group provides testing and prevention, counseling, support groups, housing and so much more for the Tampa Bay community.

    She says with high costs for just about everything, and federal grants dwindling, there is need now.

    AHEAD, the American HIV Epidemic Analysis Dashboard, estimates there were 3,200 new HIV infections in Florida in 2022, the latest data publicly available. Worldwide, the World Health Organization says 630,000 died from HIV last year. 

    “People don’t think it’s an issue. Yet you have these individuals who go out there because they know that it is,” said Winheim.

    Organizers say they raised $282,431 cycling for those who can’t.

    “Cycling 165 miles is definitely a challenge, but the rush of being with your neighbors in the community on this ride. You can see the suffering in the face, but you can also see the joy when it’s done,” Orellana said.

    If you’d like to help contribute, you can find the details on the Joyride website.

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    Andy Cole

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  • Bill aims to increase early detection of colorectal cancer

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    TAMPA, Fla. — Doctors have been sounding the alarm for years that colorectal cancer is increasing at an alarming rate in people younger than 50.

    Now, legislation has been introduced at the federal level aimed at increasing early detection.

    What You Need To Know

    • The Colorectal Cancer Early Detection Act was recently introduced by U.S. Reps. Haley Stevens and Tim Burchett

    • The bill aims to increase early detection of colorectal cancer 

    • According to the Colorectal Cancer Alliance, the under 50 age group is the only one to see an increase in colorectal cancer diagnoses

    • This new legislation would provide a funding path for states to pay for screenings for high-risk people, education campaigns, and more


    Michael Sapienza, CEO of the Colorectal Cancer Alliance, said the nonprofit worked closely with lawmakers to introduce the bill.

    “Colorectal cancer is the number one leading cause in cancer-related deaths for men under 50 and the second for women under 50. So, this Colorectal Cancer Early Detection Act is vital to keep Americans healthy,” Sapienza said.

    When Christen Pedigo, 34, first noticed symptoms four years ago, she never thought she’d end up at Moffitt Cancer Center.

    “It was always something like, ‘Oh, it’ll be Crohn’s or UC or something similar.’ They didn’t even bring it up. So, when they gave me the diagnosis the day of the procedure, it was very shocking,” said Pedigo.

    She learned the unexplained weight loss, digestive issues, and fatigue she’d been dealing with were signs of colorectal cancer. Christen was diagnosed with stage 4 last year at just 33 years old. 

    “It’s been a really rough year, just from dealing with everything from the treatment to the emotions around the effects to just seeing how it changes your friends, your family,” Pedigo said.

    In her case, Pedigo began experiencing symptoms when she was 29 years old. Her case is part of a disturbing trend. According to the CCA, about 10 percent of colorectal cancer cases diagnosed in the U.S. are people younger than 50. That age group is the only one seeing an increase, with diagnoses going up one-to-two percent every year. It’s something one of Pedigo’s doctors has seen firsthand.

    “It’s very concerning,” said Dr. Tiago Biachi de Castria, a medical oncologist with Moffitt.

    Biachi de Castria said about 20% of the hospital’s colorectal cancer patients are younger than 50.

    “Unfortunately, we’re still seeing all those patients coming in with late diagnosis or with more advanced disease,” he said.

    The American Cancer Society says screening is lowest among the 45-49 age group. The Colorecal Cancer Early Detection Act aims to change that. The bill from U.S. Reps. Haley Stevens and Tim Burchett would allow states to apply for grants from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention that can be used to pay for screenings for people younger than 45 who are at higher risk, provide referrals for medical treatment, public education campaigns, and more.

    “Anything that can help to have access to this ideal care, it’s important for these patients,” said Biachi de Castria. “The interval between a polyp to a cancer is 10years, so we have time to act. This is the perfect disease to prevent, usually using screening procedures.”

    Pedigo said before coming to Moffitt, chemo and radiation didn’t have a big effect on her tumor. She’s started a more aggressive treatment and hopes to see improvement soon. The legislation is something she said can go a long way toward letting people know screening is important — no matter their age.

    “I think it’s so needed because after getting the diagnosis, you learn just how many people are experiencing it. I mean, there’s celebrities that are experiencing it,” she said. “We’re fighting a battle that we don’t have any information on. We’re so young, and it’s not a thought.”

    Emily Blasi, senior director of communications and public relations for the CCA, said the bill has been introduced and Stevens’s and Burchett’s offices are actively looking for support for it.

    According to CCA, symptoms of colorectal cancer can include a change in bowel habits, persistent abdominal discomfort, rectal bleeding, weakness and/or fatigue, and unexplained weight loss, but there may be no symptoms in the early stages. It’s yet another reason the alliance says it’s important for people to get screened once they turn 45.

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    Sarah Blazonis

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  • Major public health threat as fresh foods being displaced

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    The rise of ultra-processed foods (UPFs) worldwide poses a major public health threat that is displacing fresh food.

    This the warning of a three-paper series published in The Lancet by 43 global experts who say that the onus to improve diets should not be placed on the individual—but governments and corporate companies, who must reduce UPF production, marketing and consumption and improve accessibility to healthy food.

    UPFs refer to heavily processed foods and drinks that often include ingredients like preservatives, sweeteners and emulsifiers.

    “The easiest way is to say that you can’t make it in your home kitchen because it requires industrial production and industrially produced additives,” Marion Nestle, New York University professor of food, nutrition, and public health, told Newsweek.

    “Ultra-processed diets induce people to eat more calories without realizing it. That’s the basic problem.”

    “Addressing this challenge requires governments to step up and introduce bold, coordinated policy action—from including markers of UPFs in front-of-package labels to restricting marketing and implementing taxes on these products to fund greater access to affordable, nutritious foods,” added professor Camila Corvalan of the University of Chile.

    The first paper reviews scientific evidence on UPFs and health, presenting evidence they are displacing long-established dietary patterns, worsening diet quality and are associated with an increased risk of multiple chronic diet-related diseases, according to the team.

    These include obesity, type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, depression and early death from all causes. 

    National surveys included estimated energy contribution of UPFs to total household food purchases or daily food intake tripled in Spain (11 percent to 32 percent) and China (4 percent to 10 percent) over the last three decades. It increased (10 to 23 percent) in Mexico and Brazil over the previous four decades. 

    In the U.S. and U.K., it increased slightly over the last two decades, maintaining levels above 50 percent, the researchers report.

    Further evidence reviewed shows diets high in UPFs are linked to overeating, higher exposure to harmful chemicals and additives and poor nutritional quality with many of these foods containing too much sugar, unhealthy fats and too little fiber and protein. 

    The authors acknowledge and welcome scientific critiques of how ultra-processed are defined by Nova, including the lack of long-term clinical and community trials, an emerging understanding of mechanisms and the existence of subgroups with different nutritional values. 

    “Ultra-processed foods (UPFs), as defined by the Nova food classification system, are novel branded products made from cheap food-derived substances and additives, designed and marketed to displace real food and freshly prepared meals, while maximising industry profits,” study author Chris van Tulleken, chair in infection and global health at University College London, told Newsweek. 

    The authors argue, however, that we can not wait to fill in research gaps before public health action is taken based on what we do know.

    While some experts argue not all UPFs are created equally and not all are ‘bad,’ Nestle said, “All seem to encourage overeating, even when they are supposedly healthier. 

    “This was shown in a clinical trial in Great Britain recently. Even when people were losing weight, those on the ultra-processed diets lost less weight than those on minimally processed diets.”

    “UPF bread is not equivalent to UPF chocolate but comparing these products seems absurd since they are not used interchangeably in diet,” added van Tulleken.

    “In many countries UPF forms the staples of the diet—ready meals, supermarket bread, yoghurts, ready meals, breakfast cereals. While some may be less harmful than others it’s important to consider diet as a whole and a big concern is that UPFs are displacing healthier foods and that almost all of these products have high levels of calories, fat, salt, sugar.”

    The second paper in the series focuses on policies and regulations that could help reduce UPF production, marketing and consumption.

    “Dietary guidelines should suggest eating less ultra-processed food. We should also tax and put warning labels on them, and stop companies from marketing them, especially to children,” said Nestle.

    For example, as well as regulation, taxing certain UPFs to fund fresh food subsidies for low-income households could help provide a more accessible and healthier alternative. 

    The third paper explains exactly how global corporations and not individual choices are driving the rise of UPFs by using cheap ingredients and industrial methods to cut costs, “aggressive marketing” and appealing designs. In essence, vulnerable individuals may not realise their so-called food choices may have been influenced or that they have been targeted, while certain types may be more addictive than whole foods. 

    With global annual sales of $1.9 trillion, UPFs are the most profitable food sector, according to the researchers. UPF manufacturers alone account for over half of $2.9 trillion in shareholder payouts by all publicly listed food companies since 1962.

    Profits are also protected with political tactics like blocking regulations and shaping scientific debate and public opinion, according to evidence in the series. 

    The study authors call for a coordinated global public health response, a global UPFs action advocacy network and a different vision for our food systems that support local producers, preserve cultural traditions, promote gender equality and ensure communities benefit from profit. 

    “By this time, the evidence is strong and consistent, and calls for action,” said Nestle.

    Do you have a tip on a health story that Newsweek should be covering? Do you have a question about healthy eating? Let us know via health@newsweek.com.

    References

    Baker, P., Slater, S., White, M., Wood, B., Contreras, A., Corvalán, C., Gupta, A., Hofman, K., Kruger, P., Laar, A., Lawrence, M., Mafuyeka, M., Mialon, M., Monteiro, C. A., Nanema, S., Phulkerd, S., Popkin, B. M., Serodio, P., Shats, K., Van Tulleken, C., & Barquera, S. (2025). Towards unified global action on ultra-processed foods: Understanding commercial determinants, countering corporate power, and mobilising a public health response. The Lancet. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0140-6736(25)01567-3

    Monteiro, C. A., Louzada, M. L. C., Steele-Martinez, E., Cannon, G., Andrade, G. C., Baker, P., Bes-Rastrollo, M., Bonaccio, M., Gearhardt, A. N., Khandpur, N., Kolby, M., Levy, R. B., Machado, P. P., Moubarac, J.-C., Rezende, L. F. M., Rivera, J. A., Scrinis, G., Srour, B., Swinburn, B., & Touvier, M. (2025). Ultra-processed foods and human health: The main thesis and the evidence. The Lancet. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0140-6736(25)01565-X

    Scrinis, G., Popkin, B. M., Corvalan, C., Duran, A. C., Nestle, M., Lawrence, M., Baker, P., Monteiro, C. A., Millett, C., Moubarac, J.-C., Jaime, P., & Khandpur, N. (2025). Policies to halt and reverse the rise in ultra-processed food production, marketing, and consumption. The Lancet. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0140-6736(25)01566-1

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  • Group home opens to help fill mental health housing gap

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    CINCINNATI —   In Ohio, thousands of people living with mental illness are struggling to find stable housing, according to data from the National Alliance on Mental Illness. The group reports that one in five Ohioans experiencing homelessness also lives with a serious mental illness.

    For Jeno Shanklin, the crisis is personal — and the solution; he hopes starts with the home he recently bought. 

    What You Need To Know

    • The National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) reports one in five Ohioans who are homeless also has a serious mental illness 

    • Jeno Shanklin, who grew up in and out of shelters, set out to change that by buying a home to open up as a group home to help men with mental illness 

    • He hopes the house will be one of many group homes that he wants to open on top of a day center to help families affected by mental illness 

    Walking through the doorway of a Cincinnati house, Shanklin pauses at the decoration on the wall and the furniture arranged just as it was years ago.

    “That’s actually an old picture my mom had,” he said. “These couches are actually my grandfather’s.”

    The memories still bring him to tears. Shanklin says he spent part of his childhood living in and out of shelters before his mother moved in with a man who he says struggled with mental illness, a situation that often turned volatile.

    “It was tough being in a house with someone who one second can be laughing and smiling, another second being physically aggressive, verbally abusive to whoever crossed their path,” he said. “I had to grow up really fast being the oldest of four.”

    Shanklin later moved in with his grandfather, and he credits his faith with helping him understand the long-term impact of a stable home.

    “A lot of people overlook adults,” he said. “They think they’re grown; they can handle it. But there are a lot of adults out there that, if they just had some type of stable environment, it would help them.”

    Shanklin recently purchased a home and is turning it into a group home for men living with mental illness — a place he calls the Safe Haven for Healing home in Cincinnati. He said the house will offer group classes, art and music therapy and other programs meant to support mental health and long-term independence.

    “I felt like I could be making a bigger impact on my community and my people,” he said. “So I did some research and found the model group home.”

    Shanklin hopes this first site will be one of many. He plans to open additional group homes and eventually a day center focused solely on mental health services.

    “Come as you are,” he said. “We will do our very, very best to see that when you walk back out these doors, you are better than when you came inside them.”

    As Ohio continues to grapple with gaps in mental health housing, Shanklin said he’s committed to helping one person at a time.

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    Sheena Elzie

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  • Senior cannabis use hits all-time high

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    RIDGE MANOR, Fla. — A new study suggests that cannabis use among seniors is at an all-time high.

    Research published in the JAMA Internal Medicine journal shows a significant increase in older adults using cannabis.

    What You Need To Know

    • Research in JAMA Internal Medicine shows that cannabis use among seniors is increasing
    • The data shows that cannabis use among older adults increased by 46% between 2021 and 2023
    • A Hernando County senior said he uses cannabis for chronic pain
    • Cannabis use remains federally illegal and the CDC said cannabis use can have health risks


    For many seniors, going to a cannabis dispensary is like picking up a prescription.

    “You get it when and how much you need,” said O,Gary Stein, senior.

    Stein said he started using cannabis in high school and has used it on and off ever since.

    “Since the 1970s, I guess that makes me an OG, or at least just an O” he said.

    The now 68-year-old said he recently picked it back up for medical purposes. He goes to the dispensary as often as he needs to treat his chronic depression and pain.

    “I rather use this than opiates or things of that sort. Even Tylenol eventually becomes toxic to your liver, whereas this is a much healthier alternative,” Stein said.

    Stein isn’t alone. The number of seniors using marijuana is growing. According to a new study published in the JAMA Internal Medicine journal, the number of seniors using cannabis has increased by 46% between 2021 and 2023. 

    “I know a lot of senior citizens who are sick and tired of taking all the pills that their doctors are constantly prescribing for them and having to deal with all the side effects that a lot those pills cause and they prefer a natural solution,” Stein said.

    Dr. Deepa Verma at Synergistiq Wellness has been a licensed medical marijuana prescriber for about eight years. She said she’s written thousands of prescriptions, and lately, a lot more for seniors.

    “Because cannabis is more socially acceptable and with the legalization and people are just more open about seeking other ways to get healthy, they don’t want to be caught in that traditional health care system,” said Verma.

    However, cannabis use remains federally illegal. The Food and Drug Administration has not approved a marketing application for cannabis for the treatment of any disease or condition. 

    No matter how marijuana is used, the Centers for Disease Control said marijuana has brain, heart, lung and mental health risks and can cause cannabis use disorder or unintentional poisoning.

    At home, Stein said he’s weighed other treatment options. He believes cannabis is a great option for seniors wanting a natural remedy. 

    “The best thing to do is to find out what is best for you. The dosage is up to you, and the method of use is up to you,” he said.

    Now that Stein’s prescription is filled, his chronic pain is manageable.

    Researchers also found that people with multiple chronic conditions are more likely to use cannabis. 

    The study said clinicians should consider screening and educating older patients about potential risks of cannabis use.

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    Tyler O’Neill

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  • Free camp helps kids learn how to cope with the loss of a loved one

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    TAMPA, Fla. — Kids who are dealing with the recent loss of a loved one are getting free support this weekend.

    The bereavement camp, Camp Kangaroo, is in Tampa through Sunday.

    What You Need To Know

    • Camp Kangaroo helps kids cope with the loss of a loved one

    • About 30 kids participated in the Tampa event this weekend

    • The camp was also held in Hernando and Pasco counties last month


    11-year-old Samuel Velez is back for a second year after losing his mom. He will go through eight support sessions over the weekend learning about different layers of loss with the help of music and pet therapy.

    “Last year, I had a lot of fun. There were dogs, and they had this volleyball, and they bounced it with their snout, and they would come around to us and let us bounce it too,” he said.

    About 30 kids are at this weekend’s camp. The volunteer coordinator said many of them are dealing with a traumatic loss. Counselors will teach them tips and tricks to deal with their emotions in a healthy way.

    “Death is not going to go away; everyone we know is going to pass. This certainly won’t be the first loss in their life. So this is a unique opportunity that they get to learn about death, which will follow them forever,” said Kimberly Glem, Volunteer Coordinator for AccentCare Hospice in Pinellas County.

    Glem said one of the biggest advantages of the annual event is kids can meet other kids who are also dealing with grief.

    “When camp starts, and they realize that camaraderie and they feel less alone, they do open up and they engage in their activities,” Glem said.

    Although the dogs were a highlight for Sam, he made relationships that could last a lifetime.

    “I made like one really good friend,” Sam said.

    Guardians will participate on Sunday to continue the conversation when camp ends. 

    Camp Kangaroo is hosted in partnership with AccentCare Hospice. The camp is held all over the country.

    Last month it made stops in Hernando and Pasco counties.

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    Tyler O’Neill

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  • FDA restricts use of kids’ fluoride supplements citing emerging health risks

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    WASHINGTON — The Food and Drug Administration on Friday moved to limit the use of fluoride supplements used to strengthen children’s teeth, the latest action by Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and his deputies against a chemical that is a mainstay of dental care.

    What You Need To Know

    • The Food and Drug Administration is restricting the use of fluoride supplements used to strengthen children’s teeth

    • The agency said on Friday that the tablets and lozenges should only be used in children three and older who face serious risks of tooth decay

    • It’s the latest action by Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and his deputies against fluoride, a chemical that is a mainstay of dental care

    • The FDA stopped short of seeking to remove the products from the market, which it proposed in May

    • Instead, manufacturers have been warned not to market the products outside the new age limits

    The FDA said that the products are no longer recommended for children younger than 3 and those who are older but don’t face serious risks of tooth decay. Previously, the products have been prescribed for children as young as six months.

    The action stopped short of FDA statements in May suggesting regulators would seek the removal of the products from the market. Instead, the agency sent letters to four companies warning them not to market their products outside the new limits.

    Fluoride tablets and lozenges are sometimes recommended for children and teens at increased risk of tooth decay or cavities because of low fluoride in their local drinking water. Companies also sell drops for babies.

    The FDA released a new scientific analysis Friday, concluding that fluoride supplements have limited benefits for children’s teeth and may be linked to emerging safety concerns, including gut issues, weight gain and cognition.

    “For the same reason fluoride may work to kill bacteria on teeth, it may also alter the gut microbiome, which may have broader health implications,” the agency said in a statement.

    The agency also sent a form letter to dentists and other health providers warning about the risks of the products.

    Those claims have been disputed by the American Dental Association, which has said there are no significant health problems associated with fluoride when used at the levels prescribed by dentists. The supplements can cause spotting or discoloration of teeth due to the extra fluoride, a downside the FDA also noted.

    Dentists have warned that restricting fluoride supplements may result in more cavities and dental problems in rural communities, which are less likely to have fluoridated water. Kennedy is also seeking to end the practice of adding fluoride to drinking water throughout the U.S.

    Fluoride strengthens teeth and reduces cavities by replacing minerals lost during normal wear and tear, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. In 1962, the agency set guidelines for how much should be added to water.

    Kennedy, a former environmental lawyer, has called fluoride a “dangerous neurotoxin” tied to a range of health dangers.

    The FDA regulates most dental products, including fluoride-containing toothpastes, supplements, mouthwashes and rinses. The agency’s actions don’t affect toothpastes, mouthwash or fluoride treatments used by adults or those offered in dentists’ offices.

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    Associated Press

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  • A year after sudden cardiac arrest, young Tampa Bay man starts CPR nonprofit

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    BRANDON, Fla. — True second chances don’t come often. Andrew Emerton got his second chance at 26-years-old.

    Last year, when playing video games with friends, he went into sudden cardiac arrest.

    “One of them called 911 immediately and the other one started administering lifesaving CPR,” said Emerton. “And I believe she had to do CPR for 10 minutes straight.”

    He and several members of his family live with a rare, inherited heart gene mutation. It’s called Desmoplakin cardiomyopathy. It can increase the chance of unexpected sudden cardiac arrest.

    By luck, coincidence or divine intervention — Emerton survived.

    “And the very first thought was, ‘Dang, like a higher power is not done with me yet. I have more to do,’” said Emerton.

    Andrew Emerton lays in a hospital bed while being treated for cardiac arrest in 2024. (Andrew Emerton)

    He took months to think about what he would do with his second chance at life. While on a walk, an idea came to him.

    “Out loud I asked and I said, ‘God, if you think I’m ready, so do I.’ And within 30 seconds, the idea for Breathe Florida popped in my head… I was like, ‘This is like what I was brought back to do,’” said Emerton.

    He created Breathe Florida, a nonprofit that pays for lifesaving CPR training for high school students.

    “I was in ROTC all four years and in this high school,” said Emerton, at Brandon High School. “I can’t even count how many times I must have barged in and out of this hallway doing different things, whether it was a rifle team (or) four drill team.”

    Emerton’s picture is still on the wall outside the JROTC classroom. He was the 2017 Brandon High School JROTC Battalion Commander, the highest rank. 

    The 2025-26 school year cadets admit, they relate to Emerton and his story.

    All the current students could put themselves in Emerton’s shoes.

    “I think his story shows how real it is,” said Marielis Pena, JROTC senior.

    They also hope they could think as quickly on their feet as Emerton’s friend did with doing CPR.

    “Hanging out, playing video games, and then it just suddenly went wrong,” said Samuel Rodriguez, JROTC junior.

    There are several CPR classes now planned at Brandon High School. Emerton hopes this is just the beginning.

    “If I spread this far enough across Florida and do it for long enough, there simply will come a time where I believe this will save someone’s life,” said Emerton.

    In Hillsborough County Public Schools, hands-on CPR training is a graduation requirement.

    Breathe Florida’s classes are just additional training students can take.

    To donate to Breathe Florida, click here.

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    Erin Murray

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  • Beyond the Pink: High school senior raising breast cancer research awareness

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    OHIO — For many, Breast Cancer Awareness Month is a time to wear pink and raise money toward breast cancer research.

    But for others, it provides a chance to take it a step further.

    What You Need To Know

    • Addison Frazier’s mom died from metastatic breast cancer when she was 6-years-old

    • Frazier is a scholar athlete, cheering football, basketball and competition and interns at  Pink Ribbon Good

    • Frazier said she’s raised $8,000 toward research to end the deadly disease

    Addison Frazier’s mom died from metastatic breast cancer when she was just 6-years-old.

    “She had fought since she found out she was pregnant with me, so breast cancer awareness not only means raising awareness for the people but also raising awareness for the families who are also in the fight,” said Frazier, a senior at Olentangy High School.

    Frazier is a cheerleader who is working to raise awareness and money for breast cancer research. 

    “When I was little, I was just kind of thrown into therapies, and there wasn’t really a support group for the children affected. So that’s what I’m trying to create. It will be called ‘Linked by Hope,’” Frazier said.

    (Photo Courtesy Addison Frazier)

    Frazier is a scholar athlete, cheering football, basketball and competition. On top of that, every week she drives to Dayton to intern at an organization that’s closer to her heart, Pink Ribbon Good.

    “It’s a wonderful nonprofit organization that provides services for people going through breast and gynecological cancer,” Frazier said.

    Rachel Parrill, director of grants and foundations at Pink Ribbon Good, said Frazier brings something special to the group.

    “To have Addi, who has lived through this unfortunately, really wanting now to help others in that same situation means so much. The perspective she brings is invaluable,” said Parrill.

    All month long, players, fans and officials wear pink to show their support for Breast Cancer Awareness Month. But Frazier wants people to know there’s more that needs to be done than just wearing the color. 

    “Something that’s often missed with pink games, is sometimes people just wear pink and nothing else is done with it, but something special we’re doing here at Olentangy is we are working with a breast and gynecological cancer organization, to raise money and to continue to support the fight, not just by wearing pink, we’re actually doing something for the cause,” Frazier said.

    Frazier said she’s raised $8,000 toward research to end the deadly disease, hoping that little by little, she can help others so they won’t have to grow up without a mom like she did. 

    “Something that I’ve done that’s a little bit different is I don’t just email, I go into the place and I actually talk with the people and continue to show them my story, so they get more of an idea of why I need to raise this money,” Frazier said.

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    Cassidy Wilson

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  • Advice to feed babies peanuts helped thousands of kids avoid allergies

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    A decade after a landmark study proved that feeding peanut products to young babies could prevent development of life-threatening allergies, new research finds the change has made a big difference in the real world.

    What You Need To Know

    • A study that upended medical practice by recommending feeding babies peanut products early to prevent allergies has had a big effect in the real world

    • A new study in the medical journal Pediatrics found that peanut allergies in children ages 0 to 3 declined by more than 27% after guidance was first issued, and by more than 40% after it was expanded in 2017

    • For decades, doctors had recommended delaying feeding children peanuts and other foods likely to trigger allergies until age 3

    • The approach has helped 60,000 children avoid food allergies, including 40,000 children who otherwise would have developed peanut allergies

    Peanut allergies began to decline in the U.S. after guidance first issued in 2015 upended medical practice by recommending introducing the allergen to infants starting as early as 4 months. The rate of peanut allergies in children ages 0 to 3 fell by more than 27% after guidance for high-risk kids was first issued in 2015, and by more than 40% after the recommendations were expanded in 2017.

    “That’s a remarkable thing, right?” said Dr. David Hill, an allergist and researcher at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, and author of a study published Monday in the medical journal Pediatrics. Hill and colleagues analyzed electronic health records from dozens of pediatric practices to track diagnoses of food allergies in young children before, during and after the guidelines were issued.

    “I can actually come to you today and say there are less kids with food allergy today than there would have been if we hadn’t implemented this public health effort,” he added.

    About 60,000 children have avoided food allergies since 2015, including 40,000 children who otherwise would have developed peanut allergies. Still, about 8% of children are affected by food allergies, including more than 2% with a peanut allergy.

    Peanut allergy is caused when the body’s immune system mistakenly identifies proteins in peanuts as harmful and releases chemicals that trigger allergic symptoms, including hives, respiratory symptoms and, sometimes, life-threatening anaphylaxis.

    For decades, doctors had recommended delaying feeding children peanuts and other foods likely to trigger allergies until age 3. But in 2015, Gideon Lack at King’s College London, published the groundbreaking Learning Early About Peanut Allergy, or LEAP, trial.

    Lack and colleagues showed that introducing peanut products in infancy reduced the future risk of developing food allergies by more than 80%. Later analysis showed that the protection persisted in about 70% of kids into adolescence.

    The study immediately sparked new guidelines urging early introduction of peanuts — but putting them into practice has been slow.

    Only about 29% of pediatricians and 65% of allergists reported following the expanded guidance issued in 2017, surveys found.

    Confusion and uncertainty about the best way to introduce peanuts early in life led to the lag, according to a commentary that accompanied the study. Early on, medical experts and parents alike questioned whether the practice could be adopted outside of tightly controlled clinical settings.

    The data for the analysis came from a subset of participating practice sites and may not represent the entire U.S. pediatric population, noted the commentary, led by Dr. Ruchi Gupta, a child allergy expert at Northwestern University.

    However, the new research offers “promising evidence that early allergen introduction is not only being adopted but may be making a measurable impact,” the authors concluded.

    Advocates for the 33 million people in the U.S. with food allergies welcomed signs that early introduction of peanut products is catching on.

    “This research reinforces what we already know and underscores a meaningful opportunity to reduce the incidence and prevalence of peanut allergy nationwide,” said Sung Poblete, chief executive of the nonprofit group Food Allergy Research & Education, or FARE.

    The new study emphasizes the current guidance, updated in 2021, which calls for introducing peanuts and other major food allergens between four and six months, without prior screening or testing, Hill said. Parents should consult their pediatricians about any questions.

    “It doesn’t have to be a lot of the food, but little tastes of peanut butter, milk-based yogurt, soy-based yogurts and tree butters,” he said. “These are really good ways to allow the immune system exposure to these allergenic foods in a safe way.”

    Tiffany Leon, 36, a Maryland registered dietician and director at FARE, introduced peanuts and other allergens early to her own sons, James, 4, and Cameron, 2.

    At first, Leon’s own mother was shocked at the advice to feed babies such foods before the age of 3, she said. But Leon explained how the science had changed.

    “As a dietician, I practice evidence-based recommendations,” she said. “So when someone told me, ‘This is how it’s done now, these are the new guidelines,’ I just though, OK, well, this is what we’re going to do.”

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    Associated Press

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  • Former President Joe Biden undergoing radiation therapy for prostate cancer

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    Former President Joe Biden is undergoing radiation therapy and hormone treatment as part of a treatment plan for prostate cancer, a spokesperson for the former president told Spectrum News on Saturday. 

    What You Need To Know

    • Former President Joe Biden is undergoing radiation therapy and hormone treatment as part of his treatment for prostate cancer, a spokesperson for the former president told Spectrum News on Saturday

    • Biden was diagnosed with an “aggressive” form of prostate cancer in May

    • Prostate cancers are given grades for aggressiveness on what’s called a Gleason score, which ranges from 6 to 10 with higher numbers indicating a higher level of aggressive behavior

    • Biden’s office said in May that his prostate cancer was a Gleason score of 9 (Grade Group 5) with metastasis to the bone, suggesting it is among the most aggressive

    Biden was diagnosed with an “aggressive” form of prostate cancer in May. 

    “While this represents a more aggressive form of the disease, the cancer appears to be hormone-sensitive, which allows for effective management,” his office said at the time. “The President and his family are reviewing treatment options with his physicians.”

    Prostate cancers are given grades for aggressiveness on what’s called a Gleason score, which ranges from 6 to 10 with higher numbers indicating a higher level of aggressive behavior. 

    Biden’s office said in May that his prostate cancer was a Gleason score of 9 (Grade Group 5) with metastasis to the bone, suggesting it is among the most aggressive.

    NBC News was the first to report that Biden is undergoing radiation, and that the treatment is expected to take five weeks. The former president has already been taking a pill form of hormone medication and is “doing well,” the outlet reported.

    Prostate cancer is the second most common cancer among men worldwide, according to the Mayo Clinic, and the risk of developing it increases with age. Treatments include radiation, hormone therapy, surgery and chemotherapy.

    In a post on social media announcing his diagnosis in May, Biden wrote, “Cancer touches us all. Like so many of you, Jill and I have learned that we are strongest in the broken places. Thank you for lifting us up with love and support.”

    The 82-year-old former president had previously undergone surgery to remove skin cancer lesions last month on his forehead, and in 2023, Biden had a cancerous lesion removed from his chest. Testing confirmed that the lesion was basal cell carcinoma, a common form of skin cancer.

    Biden left the White House in January at the end of his four-year term. Months earlier he had suspended his campaign for reelection and endorsed then-Vice President Kamala Harris, who later lost to President Donald Trump.

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    Christina Santucci, Taylor Popielarz

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  • Sarasota Memorial Hospital unveils plans for rehab pavilion

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    SARASOTA COUNTY, Fla. – Sarasota Memorial Health Care System is planning a new, $82.5 million Rehabilitation Pavilion at its Venice campus.

    The new medical rehab center will be located on the Venice hospital campus. Hospital officials said the expansion will ensure a seamless, more convenient transition from the hospital to the new inpatient and outpatient rehabilitation facility.

    What You Need To Know

    • Sarasota Memorial Health Care System is planning a new, $82.5 million Rehabilitation Pavilion in Venice

    • Hospital officials said the expansion will ensure a seamless, more convenient transition from the hospital to the new inpatient and outpatient rehabilitation facility

    • Construction is set to start in 2026 on the 83,000-square-foot facility

    Construction is set to start in 2026 on the 83,000-square-foot facility. The pavilion opening is scheduled for patient care in early 2028.

    The four-story pavilion will feature 50 private inpatient suites, advanced therapy gyms, mobility-training areas, and spaces designed to replicate real-life environments for recovery and independent living.

    The first floor will house outpatient therapy and administrative offices, with a shelled fourth floor reserved for future growth.

    “This pavilion reflects our long-term commitment to providing comprehensive rehabilitation for people of our community,” said Maria DeCarlo, SMH Vice President of Post-Acute & Rehabilitation. “It will mirror the nationally recognized programs and amenities at our Sarasota campus while offering care closer to home to residents in the growing south county community.”

    Levels two and three will be dedicated inpatient rehabilitation units with private patient suites.

    The Rehabilitation Pavilion at SMH-Sarasota has been operating at or near full capacity since it opened in 2017 and was expanded from 44 to 54 beds in 2018 and to 60 beds in 2022.

    During the summer of 2025, the hospital board also approved $5.6 million to expand the Sarasota campus rehabilitation pavilion again by seven more beds, bringing the total to 67.

    That expansion will begin next spring with the new wing opening in early 2027.

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    Spectrum News Staff

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  • Bay area nonprofit’s phone programs help promote health among seniors

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    HUDSON, Fla. — A nonprofit in the Bay area is making sure seniors aren’t lonely. 

    Seniors in Service connects seniors with volunteers for routine phone calls that often lead to friendship.

    What You Need To Know

    • Seniors in Service connects seniors with volunteers for routine phone calls that often lead to friendship

    • The nonprofit’s Health Buddies Program focuses on senior health 

    • When the Health Buddies Program ends, many seniors join the Telepal Program to maintain their social connection

    • Seniors in Service said there is a real need for this kind of help


    Before Pamela Roberts starts her volunteer phone calls, she makes sure to get a drink.

    “I can’t survive without a Coke,” said Roberts, volunteer for Seniors in Service.

    Then the retired registered nurse gets comfortable on the couch and dials the phone. Spectrum News couldn’t listen to a real phone call, as Roberts keeps them confidential. The calls are part of the nonprofit Seniors in Service Health Buddies Program, which helps seniors improve their health with informative calls.

    Pamela Roberts volunteers for both the Health Buddies and Telepals Programs with Seniors in Service (Spectrum News/Tyler O’Neill)

    “I don’t tell them what they should do, but I can make suggestions or explain to them what they should expect during different procedures,” Roberts said.

    When the Health Buddies Program ends after 12 weeks, many of the participants join the Telepals Program to maintain the social connection they grew over those several months. Roberts volunteers for this too. 

    “It’s people that you’ve developed an extra special bond during Health Buddies, and you just don’t want to stop the relationship,” she said.

    Both Roberts and her participants value the connection that often develops into a friendship. 

    “So they feel real lonely and isolated and, kind of forgotten,” the volunteer said.

    Aria Garling with Seniors in Service said there is a real need for this kind of support. This year, the organization has served more than 350 people between the two programs.

    “So for the wellness of our older adults, especially in the community, our program is crucial for wellbeing. Being able to age in place and further, just being able to have that quality of life that they absolutely deserve,” Garling said.

    That quality of life Roberts is excited to work on with others. 

    “I do this because this is a God-given talent that I have,” she said.

    Giving back with her talent and a soda.

    To volunteer for either program, you must be at least 18 years old and have a phone. 

    You must also meet those requirements to be a participant, in addition to living in Pinellas, Hillsborough, Pasco or Polk Counties. 

    View more information on getting involved with Health Buddies.

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    Tyler O’Neill

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  • Mobile pharmacy helps get free medicine to those in need

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    For some people, over-the-counter medications can be not only unaffordable, but also out of reach. 

    That’s why NC MedAssist is helping hundreds of people in need get the medications they need to keep their families healthy. 

    What You Need To Know

    • According to GoodRX, there are 25 counties in North Carolina that are considered “pharmacy deserts,” meaning residents have to drive over 15 minutes to reach a local pharmacy 

    • NC MedAssist takes its mobile pharmacy to counties across the state, holding over 50 events every year and serving around 700 people at each one

    • Anita Boswell-Russell with NC MedAssist says often times people in these communities are impoverished, so even if they lived closer to a pharmacy, they still would not be able to afford the medications


    “I’ve seen firsthand with close people of mine what it’s like to not be able to afford health care or anything like that and to just struggle and not have the help that you should have as a community,” Haylee Hocutt, a volunteer with NC MedAssist, said.

    NC MedAssist takes its mobile pharmacy to counties across North Carolina, holding over 50 events every year and serving around 700 people at each one. 

    “It helps a lot for families that are low income,” Teresa Colon, a mother of three, said.

    Colon gets to choose up to eight over-the-counter medications, that total around $150, for free. 

    “I’ve got three children. Mostly, I get different medications for their ages, so it’s not only one that I have to get,” Colon said.

    According to GoodRX, there are 25 counties in North Carolina that are considered “pharmacy deserts,” meaning residents have to drive over 15 minutes to reach a local pharmacy. 

    Anita Boswell-Russell says that often times people in these communities are impoverished, so even if they lived closer to a pharmacy, they could not afford the medications anyway. 

    “If they had a choice between buying food for their family, paying their rent, paying their light bill, they’re going to do that every time and not buy that over-the-counter medicine,” Boswell-Russell, with NC MedAssist, said.

    NC MedAssist is not only breaking down barriers to health care but also helping moms like Colon feel confident and prepared ahead of flu season.

    “For their colds or if they get fever, I have something already in store for them,” Colon said.

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    Arin Cotel-Altman

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  • Nursing care hours cut for medically fragile Bay area child

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    HOLIDAY, Fla. — Inside Daina Rogers’ home, a lot can be heard.

    What You Need To Know

    • Daina Rogers’ son, Mayik Vallejos, has tubular sclerosis. He is considered a medically fragile child in Florida

    • In February, Rogers said her son’s nursing hours were cut from 136 to 84. She appealed, but was told the care was not medically necessary 

    • Sunshine Health did not respond to Spectrum News’ requests for comment or provide a statement as to why care hours were cut


    Mayik Vallejos, her son, likes to watch movies on the TV, play on an iPad and watch a show on a phone — all at the same time.

    The combination of noises would overwhelm most, but it soothes this nonverbal 10-year-old.

    Daina said Mayik has developmental delays, uses a G-tube for medications and hydration and has tubular sclerosis.

    “That is where benign tumors form on the organs. He has got 32 on his brain,” said Rogers.

    Mayik is considered a medically fragile child, and he receives care through the state because of this status.

    “So here are the seizure logs. These are — the nurses obviously take their own notes — but we need these for neurology,” said Rogers.

    For a few years, Rogers has gotten in-home nursing care for Mayik through Sunshine Health.

    “It was 136 hours a week,” said Rogers.

    But now, it is 84 hours. Earlier this year, Rogers received a denial letter when she went to recertify Mayik’s coverage.

    Rogers says she had to recertify every 60 days.

    “So they come back and say, ‘OK, well, while he does qualify for the 84 hours a week, 12 hours a day, seven days a week, we’re not seeing a medical necessity for overnights,’” said Rogers.

    “So when I went ahead and appealed that, they went and said, ‘OK, he doesn’t qualify for no hours.’ So they took every hour I had away.”

    Rogers went into panic mode. In the appeals process, Rogers said a lapse in continuation of care happened.

    “I was really freaking out, you know, I was, I was crying at work. My kids, I was crying at home. My kids like, ‘Mom, you’re crying all the time. You’re so upset,’” said Rogers. “And I’m like, because you guys, they’re so young, they don’t understand.”

    Rogers is still fighting with Sunshine Health over the 84 hours, trying to get it back to 136.

    Rogers said she is not alone, that she knows several other parents facing the same issue.

    Spectrum News reached out to Sunshine Health about the cases being denied, and they never shared a statement as to why.

    Spectrum News also reached out to the Florida Agency for Health Care Administration. They also did not respond with a statement.

    Rogers said the last eight months have been a nightmare.

    “I function and I do everything I’m supposed to do with a smile. But inside I’m like dying,” said Rogers. “Why is it only Sunshine? Why only them? That is the big question. Why? I want to know why.”

    For now though, that means living with the 84 hours.

    Rogers hopes she can one day get into the state’s Paid Caregiver Program, so she can be paid as Mayik’s caregiver.

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    Erin Murray

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  • Clearwater aims to become Autism Certified City

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    CLEARWATER, Fla. — Clearwater is working toward being the first city in Florida and the second in the nation to be designated an Autism Certified City.

    What You Need To Know

    • Initiative launches Thursday aimed at getting Clearwater designated an Autism Certified City

    • Initiative ensures welcoming, supportive community to residents and visitors with neurodiversity & their families

    • Clearwater would be the first city in Florida and second in the nation (Mesa, AZ was first)

    • Community partners in areas of: hospitality, healthcare, education, entertainment receive specialized training


    “It means Clearwater’s a welcoming place for children with autism, for families traveling with autism, we want to make sure that our community welcomes people in with all kinds of unique abilities,” said Executive Director of the Learning Independence for Tomorrow (LiFT) Matt Spence. “The purpose of LiFT is to inspire and empower people with neurodiversity to learn, thrive and succeed.”

    He hopes the initiative helps spread that success throughout the city. He says that’s why LiFT is leading the initiative to ensure Clearwater is an inclusive community, supportive and accessible to those with neurodiversity.

    Michael Soler’s son, Jacob has been attending LiFT for three years.

    “We found out he did have autism, he was on the spectrum, he had processing sensory delay as well,” said Soler who supports the initiative.

    Part of the process to get certified, which relies on community partners, would mean specialized training in areas of: hospitality, healthcare, small businesses, education and entertainment, to make sure residents and visitors feel supported.

    The International Board of Credentialing and Continuing Education Standards (IBCCES) is responsible for running the certification program. The group says the initiative creates an inclusive community, but it can also:

    • Improve the quality of life for residents
    • Increase tourism and visitors from underserved markets
    • Increase community engagement
    • Enhance workforce opportunities 
    • Create national & international inclusion

    “We have facilities and community partners that are aware that sometimes students need a little extra time, they might need a low sensory space, they might need an opportunity to just express themselves differently,” said Spence.

    It’s that effort and support that mean the world to Soler.

    “I think the primary thing is acceptance,” said Soler.  “When you’re out with a child with autism there are certain things that look and may feel a little bit different as you see a child with autism and their mannerisms but they’re kids, they have the same wants, loves and desires as all of our children do.”

    Spence hopes the initiative, which officially launches Sept. 25, helps the community understand and support those wants and needs.

    Clearwater Mayor, Bruce Rector says he is proud of the initiative.

    “It’s really about just making sure that everyone knows that Clearwater cares about folks with autism and families dealing with autism,” said Rector. “We want to make their experience here whether they live here or visiting, the best it can possibly be.”

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    Melissa Eichman

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  • Fired CDC director testifies about ultimatum over vaccine recommendations

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    WASHINGTON –– Former Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Director Susan Monarez has begun her testimony before a congressional committee Wednesday morning — three weeks after she was fired by the Trump administration.

    What You Need To Know

    • Former Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Director Susan Monarez has begun her testimony before a congressional committee Wednesday morning — three weeks after she was fired by the Trump administration

    • Monarez told lawmakers that she was given an ultimatum by Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to resign or be terminated after she refused to “preapprove” vaccine recommendations of an advisory panel

    • That panel — the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices — is expected to vote on new vaccine recommendations this week

    • Former Chief Medical Officer Debra Houry, who later resigned after Monarez was fired, joined the former CDC director on Capitol Hill for the hearing

    Monarez told lawmakers on the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions that she was given an ultimatum by Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. if she refused to “commit in advance to approving” vaccine recommendations and “dismiss career officials responsible for vaccine policy without cause.”

    “On the morning of Aug. 25, Secretary Kennedy demanded two things of me that were inconsistent with my oath of office and the ethics required of a public official,” she told the committee.

    Her remarks Wednesday echoed a chain of events she described in a Wall Street Journal op-ed — that she “was told to preapprove the recommendations of a vaccine advisory panel newly filled with people who have publicly expressed antivaccine rhetoric.”

    That panel — the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices –– is expected to vote on new vaccine recommendations this week.

    In the wake of Monarez’s ouster, several other agency leaders resigned in protest, and President Donald Trump picked Jim O’Neill, who had been serving as Kennedy’s deputy, to step in as interim CDC director. 

    Former CDC Chief Medical Officer Debra Houry, who quit after Monarez was fired, joined the former CDC director on Capitol Hill for the hearing, which was given the title “Reviewing Recent Events at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and Implications for Children’s Health.”

    “I resigned because CDC leaders were reduced to rubber stamps, supporting policies not based in science and putting American lives at risk,” Houry told the committee.

    In a hearing earlier this month, Kennedy acknowledged that he had told Monarez to fire scientists at the agency. During his testimony, Kennedy had also addressed what he called “the recent shakeup” at the CDC.

    “We are the sickest country in the world,” Kennedy told lawmakers.
”That’s why we have to fire people at CDC. They did not do their job. This was their job to keep us healthy.”

    When asked about Monarez, Kennedy said, “I told her that she had to resign because I asked her, ‘Are you a trustworthy person?’ And she said, ‘No.’” 

    Monarez refuted Kennedy’s comments calling her “untrustworthy” during her opening statement Wednesday.

    Republican Sen. Bill Cassidy, a physician who represents Louisiana and chairs the powerful Senate health committee, said during his opening remarks Wednesday that lawmakers were looking to find “all the facts, not a version of the facts that fits a certain narrative agenda.”

    “It may be impossible to learn who’s telling the truth, but this hearing is an initial step in trying to answer why the top leadership of the CDC was fired or resigned before they could be fired,” he said, adding, “Turmoil at the top of the nation’s top public health agency is not good for the health of the American people.”

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    Christina Santucci

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  • School-to-Work: Kids learn first-hand life at a hospital

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    ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — For kids in their final years of high school, the pressure starts to build about what they plan to do following graduation. Some have no idea what they will do. 

    What You Need To Know

    • Orlando Health Bayfront Hospital staff are now mentors to 25 kids in the Big Brothers Big Sisters School-To-Work program

    • The School-to-Work program gives students exposure to workplace environments, and matches them with mentors who can encourage them to stay in school and make an empowered transition to the work world

    • Bigs and Littles will be paired for two years, with the option of being paired for a third year. Students can maintain relationships with their Big until the age of 26

    • Carly Gerdes is a sepsis clinical coordinator at Orlando Health Bayfront. She is mentoring 16-year-old Dorine Banyeretse


    To help, Big Brothers Big Sisters Tampa Bay created the School-To-Work program, connecting at-risk kids with professionals in the workplace. 

    “We’re here to help them navigate that transition from high school to life after and to make sure that they have that plan in place to be successful,” said Laura Petitt, the program director. 

    A new partnership this year was made with Orlando Health Bayfront Hospital in St. Petersburg. 

    Carly Gerdes is the sepsis clinical coordinator at the hospital, but now she also has an additional title: Big Sister. 

    Her “Little” is Dorine Banyeretse, 16.

    “We were looking at stroke alert sepsis, and we see how the doctors treat the patients and also common procedures that she goes through,” said Banyeretse.

    The two have been paired since the spring semester.

    “It’s a nice experience,” said Banyeretse. “Overall, you get to make new friends, and they feel like meeting your big is just a wonderful connection to have.”

    She is one of 25 students paired up with medical staff at Orlando Health Bayfront.

    They spend two hours, once a month, for two school years together. That length of time allows for strong bonds to form.

    “So we’ll continue together until she graduates and leaves me,” said Gerdes with a sad laugh.

    The pair are very close, though Banyeretse admits she does not want to be an ER nurse. 

    “After high school, I’m looking forward to going into neurology. Or like, majoring in neuroscience,” said Banyeretse. 

    Gerdes fully supports her dream and works to make sure Banyeretse is exposed to situations a neurologist would be called in for. 

    “It can help them decide what path they might want to take,” said Gerdes. “She’s interested in the neuro paths. So even though I do sepsis and then in the E.R., we still we have stroke alerts and stuff that I’m exposing her to so she can see all different sides of the E.R.” 

    They also set yearly goals together. Banyeretse’s goal is to keep straight As and to bump her GPA by .1. 

    “Currently I have a 4.49,” Banyeretse said with a laugh. 

    Orlando Health Bayfront Hospital is one of many workplaces students are visiting. 

    Big Brothers Big Sisters said in total there are 400 kids in the program, spread out between Hillsborough, Pinellas, Polk and Pasco counties. 

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    Erin Murray

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  • Disabled man surprises partner by proposing on one knee in physical therapy

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    A wheelchair-dependent man with multiple sclerosis refused to let his disability stop him from getting down on one knee to propose.

    Living with multiple sclerosis has been a difficult challenge for Cody Guinn, 38, who was diagnosed with the condition in 2015. As his mobility has deteriorated, he has had to adapt his life in many ways, including using a power wheelchair and doing physical therapy two to three times a week.

    There has always been one gesture that he was unwilling to sacrifice, however, and that was getting on one knee to propose. Guinn, of Oregon, told Newsweek that proposing on one knee is “a sign of respect” to the love of his life, Maisy Kucera, and he knew he wanted to find a way to make it happen.

    “I was raised with traditional values and morals, which I still respect,” Guinn said. “I think it’s important for younger generations to see that play out.”

    From left: Maisy Kucera and Cody Guinn work with the physiotherapist during a session; and smile after the proposal.

    @guinnsjourneyzz / TikTok

    On June 19, Kucera, 24, was at one of Guinn’s physical therapy sessions and she was asked to assist. At the time, Guinn was out of his wheelchair and was kneeling beside a box, while Kucera stood in front of him—only to be stunned by the sight of a small ring box in her partner’s palm.

    Guinn knew he wouldn’t be able to get down on one knee anywhere else, so he made sure to use the physical therapy to his advantage. Although it was somewhat painful for Guinn to do, he said it was “so worth it.”

    Kucera told Newsweek that it was the “perfect setup for the proposal” and she wasn’t expecting it.

    Multiple sclerosis, an autoimmune condition, causes the immune system to mistakenly attack myelin cells, which are protective covers surrounding the brain and spinal cord nerves. The damage interrupts the signals that nerves send throughout the body to perform functions such as vision, sensation and movement.

    While there is no cure for multiple sclerosis, The Mayo Clinic says that almost 1 million adults in the U.S. are living with the condition. Symptoms include fatigue, vision changes, muscle weakness, stiffness, numbness or pain, loss of balance, and difficulty with cognitive function. The couple, who have been together for less than a year, are planning to tie the knot in October 2025.

    The footage of Guinn’s romantic proposal was shared on his TikTok account (@guinnsjourneyzz) and it has melted millions of hearts online. In a matter of days, the clip went viral with over 1.5 million views and more than 246,100 likes at the time of writing.

    The online response has been incredibly positive and supportive of the couple, who continue to document their journey on social media to show the realities of living with multiple sclerosis.

    Kucera said: “We have felt immense love and support from our online community and hope to continue to connect with people from all around the world too can relate to our story.”

    Internet users have praised Guinn’s romantic gesture, leading to more than 720 comments on the viral TikTok video so far.

    One comment reads: “As a therapist I would literally be sobbing in the back and unable to contain myself. Congratulations to you both.”

    Another TikTok user wrote: “That was the most precious proposal omg.”

    A third person responded: “Bawling [because] you know he put in so much effort to perfect that stance, congratulations.”

    One commenter added: “How beautiful is this?! That’s a real love right there.”

    Do you have any viral videos or pictures that you want to share? We want to see the best ones! Send them in to life@newsweek.com and they could appear on our site.

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