The season of giving kicks off today with #GivingTuesday, an annual philanthropic movement powered by community collaboration and driven by social media campaigns. Celebrated on the Tuesday following Thanksgiving, Giving Tuesday was founded in 2012 by the Belfer Center for Innovation & Social Impact in New York City to celebrate compassionate service and to encourage individuals to connect and … [Read more...]
Like so many of us, I remember where I was when the horrific events of 9/11 unfolded in my consciousness. It’s not a particularly salient story, but is is mine. It began with a phone call from Sheri, my best friend at the time. “Are you awake yet,” her muffled voice asked. It was just barely 9. Used to my friends ragging me about being a night owl notoriously late to rise, I answered … [Read more...]
You might be surprised to learn that lung cancer takes the lives of more men and women than any other cancer in this country each year. In fact, it’s been the leading cause of cancer deaths for women in the United States since 1987, but you would hardly know it if you merely looked at the media attention, research and fundraising efforts earmarked for cancer awareness in women. However, the … [Read more...]
This past Monday Memorial Day marked the unofficially first day of summer. Many celebrated with barbecues and trips to the beach or by opening up household pools. Right on cue, it’s been heating up here in Connecticut, with daytime temperatures in the 80s and high 70s. As more of us are heading outdoors to enjoy the sun, today—Sunscreen Day—is the perfect time to review some summer sun safety tips … [Read more...]
¡Feliz Cinco de Mayo! Ever wondered what the celebration is all about on May 5? Believe it or not, the day is more than a festive opportunity to drink margaritas and have Mexican fare—though we love that part too (and much more on that later). While many mistake Cinco de Mayo as Mexico’s day of independence (which is actually celebrated on Sept. 16), the holiday actually commemorates El Día de la … [Read more...]
Last month, we addressed the rising threat of water scarcity and safety to the health of the planet due to climate change, pollution and a growing global population. A 2014 study by the Intergovernmental Panel of Climate Change (IPCC) revealed that increased population is one of the two most important drivers of global climate change. For Earth Day, we spoke with Jeffrey Hollender, co-founder of … [Read more...]
Sunshine is pouring through the windows of my office. That, coupled with temperatures above freezing, call me to head outdoors. I’ll be slipping on my sneakers to get away from the computer screen soon and taking full benefit of that extra hour of daylight. Here are 10 reasons why you should lace up your shoes to walk today too. 1. It’s National Walking Day. For the ninth year, the American Heart … [Read more...]
How often do we stop and think about where we will get our next glass of drinking water, when we will next bathe or where we will go the bathroom? Many of us take quick and easy access to clean, safe water for granted, but the fact is that an estimated 750 million people—roughly two and half times the U.S. population—lack that privilege in developing countries around the world, especially in rural … [Read more...]
Poetry in Motion for World Poetry Day The Journey By Mary Oliver One day you finally knew what you had to do, and began, though the voices around you kept shouting their bad advice-- though the whole house began to tremble and you felt the old tug at your ankles. "Mend my life!" each voice cried. But you didn't stop. You knew what you had to do, though the wind pried with its stiff fingers at the … [Read more...]
Increasing numbers of teens and young adults are using self-injury as a strategy for dealing with negative emotions. A recent World Health Organization (WHO) collaborative study found the number of teenagers who self-harmed in England had tripled in the last decade. The 2013-2014 survey found 20 percent of 15-year-olds had self-harmed over the past year, as compared to 6.9 percent of 15- and … [Read more...]