Author: sHq_LoGiNz

• The first-of-its-kind report includes results from multiple surveys revealing just how badly dogs around the country are itching for relief.
• Data reveals that nearly 9 in 10 dogs in the U.S. are “itchy dogs” according to their pet owners, having experienced symptoms of itchiness at some point in the year.¹
• Allergy season makes itch worse, with 83% of pet owners saying that increased pollen levels affect their dog’s itch.¹
• Veterinarians are the most trusted ally in solving dogs’ itch, and the majority of veterinarians say that itchiness is the most frustrating issue they deal with.¹
• Leading veterinarians and canine dermatologists, including Drs. Joya Griffin, Andrew Rosenberg, and Tom Lewis, are pioneering the fight against itch, calling on other veterinarians to help America’s itchy dogs find cost-effective itch relief and long-lasting solutions.

GREENFIELD, Ind., June 6, 2025 /3BL/ – Elanco Animal Health Incorporated (NYSE: ELAN) today released a new report highlighting the significance of America’s Itchy Dogs and the impact itch has on dogs, their owners, and veterinarians. The first-of-its-kind report includes findings from multiple surveys of pet owners, as well as veterinarians, and reveals startling details on how badly dogs around the country are itching for relief and cost-effective, long-lasting solutions. With Zenrelia™ (ilunocitinib tablets) now widely available as a once-daily, cost-effective solution, veterinarians and dog owners have another option to help dogs get back to normal.

“There are more itchy dogs out there than you might realize,” said Dr. Jennifer Miller, veterinarian and canine dermatology expert at Elanco. “This report shows that nearly 9 in 10 U.S. dogs are ‘itchy dogs,’ according to their pet owners, experiencing symptoms of itchiness at any point throughout the year. Seasonal allergies make that worse, with more than 8 in 10 dog owners saying that their cities’ pollen levels affect their dogs’ itch levels. On average, pet owners say they’re spending $173 more and using two additional treatments to treat their dogs’ itch during allergy season; and they’re desperate for a simple, cost-effective solution.” ¹

Veterinarians and Dog Owners Alike Are Frustrated by Itch
Itching is one of the top reasons dogs are brought to the veterinarian, and it’s a frustrating issue for both dog owners and veterinarians alike.² The new report finds that itchy dog owners on average wait 6 weeks after their dog has started showing symptoms of itch to take them to the veterinarian.² Ninety percent of veterinarians say that itchy dog owners wait too long before bringing their dog, resulting in raw and infected skin and also an irritated dog owner who wants their dog to experience relief quickly.³ If a veterinarian can’t scratch that itch quickly, pet owners will find one who can. Nearly 8 in 10 itchy dog owners who have switched veterinarians report switching after 3 visits or less.² Switching veterinarians isn’t the only extreme circumstance that owners of itchy dogs are willing to take – about half of dog owners say having an itchy dog tests their resolve to have a dog at all. Some say they’d be willing to move to a new city if it was going to help their dog’s extreme itch.¹

The report shows that a majority of itchy dog owners crave simplicity and long-lasting relief. When it comes to treating an itchy dog, the majority of dog owners want to give one pill a day compared to multiple pills per day.² In 2024, 75% of dog owners said that they need more affordable options to stop their dogs’ itch. ¹

“These findings highlight the critical need for veterinarians to be an ally in the fight against itch and to deliver effective results by the second visit,” says Dr. Joya Griffin, veterinarian and board-certified dermatologist at Animal Dermatology Clinic in Louisville. “Itching doesn’t just affect the dog; it can have a significant impact on the whole family. Having the right tools is critical for alleviating the itch and discomfort both seasonally and year-around. I’ve recently started using Zenrelia in my clinic and have seen firsthand how this once-daily, cost-effective treatment can provide much needed relief during allergy season and for refractory patients who suffer year round.”

Dogs should be up to date on vaccinations prior to starting Zenrelia. It’s important to read the package insert, including the full Boxed Warning regarding concurrent vaccine administration, or speak with your veterinarian before use.

The data also revealed there are a lot of emotions tied to an itchy dog – 53%¹ of itchy dog owners report feeling judged by someone in their community for having an itchy dog and 75% feel hopeless when their veterinarian is unable to treat their itchy dog.¹

“As a veterinary dermatologist, I’ve seen the emotional toll having an itchy dog can take on pet owners. Many of my clients have invested significant time and resources on multiple treatment options that often times do not provide relief for their pet,” said Dr. Andrew Rosenberg, veterinarian and President of the American College of Veterinary Dermatology (AVCD). “Now with Zenrelia, I have another great tool in my treatment toolbox that allows me to prescribe a simple, cost-effective solution that provides the relief both dogs and their owners have been craving.”

After finding successful treatment for itchy dogs, veterinarians and pet owners have a stronger bond than ever. In fact, 84% of veterinarians say that dog owners are more likely to visit for other issues with their dog and 70% of dog owners refer other dog owners to their office.³

“I’ve seen how helping the dog find zen also increases the bond with my clients,” said Dr. Tom Lewis, veterinarian and board-certified dermatologist at Dermatology Animals in Gilbert. “Often times, by the time the dog owner gets to me, they’re just as frustrated as the dog is. Now, I know I have a treatment option that I can try that gets both dogs and their owners back to zen; that’s why I’m encouraging other veterinarians to join us in becoming allies against itch.”

The Highest Human Allergy Cities Have More Itchy Dogs
For dog owners and veterinarians who live in the highest human allergy cities in the country, they may be seeing more itchy dogs.^1,4 In fact, 85% of dogs in the Allergy and Asthma Foundation’s top U.S. allergy capitals experience itch during allergy season, compared to 79% of all U.S. dogs.¹ 

The deep dive into these cities, also appropriately called “America’s Itchiest Cities,” highlights some unique differences in each city and state. For example:¹

• Wichita, KS itchy dog owners are more likely than U.S. dog owners to feel financially burdened when they have to go to a veterinarian to treat their itchy dog.
• New Orleans, LA has the itchiest dogs year-round.
• Oklahoma City, OK itchy dog owners are on the hunt for the best treatment.
• Tulsa, OK itchy dog owners feel the financial strain of trying different treatments more than U.S. dog owners in general.
• Memphis, TN itchy dog owners are doing the most and spending the most, spending a whopping $548 year-round to treat their dogs’ itchiness compared to $302 for U.S. dog owners.
• Little Rock, AR itchy dog owners report fewer visits to their veterinarian but have tried just as many treatments.
• Raleigh, NC itchy dog owners are the least judgmental of itchiness.
• Richmond, VA itchy dog owners are going above and beyond, more likely to seek out a specialist.
• Greenville, SC itchy dog owners are the most likely to feel compassionate when it comes to itch.
• Greensboro, NC itchy dogs feel the itch even longer with an extended allergy season.

Dr. Emily Roberson, veterinarian at Animal Hospital of East Davie just outside of Greensboro, NC, says that she’s seen a number of itchy dogs this year and has been relieved to have another treatment option. “Here in North Carolina, we’re right in the thick of allergy season, and my clinic has seen an influx of itchy dogs. It’s truly heartbreaking to see these pets so uncomfortable. That’s why I’m thrilled to have Zenrelia as a treatment option to offer these itchy dogs, and their owners, much-needed comfort.”

For additional information, resources, and to learn more about America’s Itchy Dogs visit www.ItchyDogs.com.

*Drs. Griffin, Rosenberg, and Lewis are consultants for Elanco Animal Health.

ABOUT ELANCO
Elanco Animal Health Incorporated (NYSE: ELAN) is a global leader in animal health dedicated to innovating and delivering products and services to prevent and treat disease in farm animals and pets, creating value for farmers, pet owners, veterinarians, stakeholders and society as a whole. With 70 years of animal health heritage, we are committed to breaking boundaries and going beyond to help our customers improve the health of animals in their care, while also making a meaningful impact on our local and global communities. At Elanco, we are driven by our vision of Food and Companionship Enriching Life and our Elanco Healthy Purpose™ sustainability pillars – all to advance the health of animals, people, the planet and our enterprise. Learn more at www.elanco.com. 

INDICATIONS
Zenrelia is a prescription medication used to control itching and inflammation associated with skin allergies for dogs over 12 months of age. 

IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION
See package insert including the Boxed Warning. For full prescribing information speak with your veterinarian, call 1 888 545 5973 or visit www.elancolabels.com/us/zenrelia. 

WARNING: VACCINE-INDUCED DISEASE AND INADEQUATE IMMUNE RESPONSE TO VACCINES. Based on results of the vaccine response study, dogs receiving Zenrelia are at risk of fatal vaccine-induced disease from modified live virus vaccines and inadequate immune response to any vaccine. Discontinue Zenrelia for at least 28 days to 3 months prior to vaccination and withhold Zenrelia for at least 28 days after vaccination. Dogs should be up to date on vaccinations prior to starting Zenrelia. Do not use in dogs less than 12 months old or dogs with a serious infection. Dogs should be monitored for the development of infections because Zenrelia may increase the chances of developing an infection. Neoplastic conditions (benign and malignant) were observed during clinical studies. The most common side effects were vomiting, diarrhea and tiredness. Zenrelia has not been tested in dogs used for breeding, pregnant, or lactating dogs and has not been evaluated in combination with glucocorticoids, cyclosporine, or other immune suppressive drugs. 

© 2025 Elanco or its affiliates: Zenrelia, Elanco and the diagonal bar logo are trademarks of Elanco or its affiliates.

PM-US-25-1076

¹ Elanco Animal Health. Data on File
² Elanco Animal Health. Data on File
³ Elanco Animal Health. Data on File
^{4 *}Allergy Capital dog owners / dogs refers to all respondents living in one of the top 10 allergy DMAs: Wichita, KS; New Orleans, LA; Oklahoma City, OK; Tulsa, OK; Memphis, TN; Little Rock, AR; Raleigh, NC; Richmond, VA; Greenville, SC; Greensboro, NC

Investor Contact: Tiffany Kanaga (765) 740-0314 tiffany.kanaga@elancoah.com
Media Contact: Season Solorio (765) 316-0233 season.solorio@elancoah.com

SOURCE Elanco Animal Health

Published by Action Against Hunger.

By Ahmed Issak Hussein

In Wajid, Somalia, a town gripped by drought, the rhythmic clatter of newly installed handpumps signals hope. For the families in Wajid’s Tawakal Internal Displacement Camp, water scarcity has long been a challenge, affecting not just hydration but also livelihoods and daily survival.

Life in Tawakal has always been defined by the struggle for water. Owliya Ibrahim Riinow, a mother of five, experienced this hardship firsthand. Forced to flee her village 18 miles away, she and her children settled into a makeshift shelter. Each day was a struggle for water. Owliya would walk a half mile to the nearest semi-saline well—an unsafe journey—only to return with contaminated water, and too little of it.

“The water we used was not always clean, and never enough for cooking, cleaning, or bathing,” Owliya shares.

Now, there is a glimmer of hope in Wajid with support from Action Against Hunger and funding from the German Federal Foreign Office (GFFO) to improve water access. Four shallow wells, were deepened over 6 feet to ensure a higher yield and hand pumps were added, drastically improving the availability and quality of water.

The impact was immediate and profound. Owliya’s neighborhood, once deprived of clean water, now has a reliable source that serves over 295 households. The shallow well that used to run dry during the harsh dry seasons now provides clean, protected water year-round.

“We are blessed,” says Owliya. “The well is just a short walk away, and the water is safe for my children. Now, we can focus on other important things in our lives.”

For Owliya and the women of Tawakal, the well is more than just a source of water; it has become a hub for the community, a place where women gather, share stories, and support one another.

Beyond access to clean water, Action Against Hunger has also provided hygiene kits containing water treatment tablets, soap, and sanitary pads so families can maintain better hygiene. The risk of waterborne diseases is also significantly reduced through these sanitation measures.

For communities like Tawakal, the rehabilitation of these wells has an impact that goes far beyond a mere infrastructural improvement—it is a turning point, a shift from survival to the possibility of thriving. With clean water now within reach, families can shift their focus to building their lives by pursuing education for their children, securing their livelihoods, and planning for a more stable future.

“I pray this support continues,” says Owliya gratefully. “And I hope other communities facing similar struggles will receive the same help. Now, for the first time in a long while, we feel like we can live with some peace.”

***

Action Against Hunger leads the global movement to end hunger. As a nonprofit that works across over 55 countries, our 8,900 dedicated staff members partner with communities to address the root causes of hunger, including climate change, conflict, inequity, and emergencies. Action Against Hunger works in 28 districts across Somalia. In 2023, our teams repaired over 50 clean water points and our water, sanitation, and hygiene programs benefited 219,000 people. We also lead the Building Resilient Communities in Somalia consortium, ensuring communities in disaster-prone rural Somalia have sufficient social, financial, and environmental assets to cope with shocks and adapt to the effects of climate change. We strive to create a world free from hunger, for everyone, for good.

Originally published on University of Kentucky Research News

A groundbreaking lung cancer screening project co-led by the University of Kentucky Markey Cancer Center and the University of Colorado (CU) Cancer Center is expanding its reach, thanks to a $6.8 million grant from the Bristol Myers Squibb Foundation, an independent charitable organization.

QUILS™ (Quality Implementation of Lung Cancer Screening), led by UK Markey Cancer Center researchers Jennifer Redmond Knight, Dr.P.H., and Timothy Mullett, M.D., and Jamie Studts, Ph.D., from the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus (CU-AMC), has helped to transform Kentucky’s approach to lung cancer screening over the past decade.

Despite grappling with the nation’s highest lung cancer incidence and mortality rates, Kentucky now has the second-highest rate of lung cancer screening in the U.S. The turnaround is due in part to QUILS™ System, which has helped Kentucky’s health care providers improve their lung cancer screening processes.

Building on this success, the four-year grant is supporting the most recent effort led by UK and CU to replicate and adapt the program in Mississippi and Nevada — states chosen due to their high lung cancer burden, low screening rates, opportunities to address health disparities as well as coalition capacity and readiness.

“Our experience in Kentucky has taught us that improving lung cancer screening rates requires a collaborative, quality-focused approach,” said Knight, co-principal investigator of Kentucky LEADS Collaborative and an assistant professor in the UK College of Public Health. “This funding will allow us to apply what we’ve learned in Kentucky to help create targeted solutions for Mississippi and Nevada, potentially setting a new standard for lung cancer screening nationwide.”

The QUILS™ System helps screening centers optimize their services by evaluating factors such as patient eligibility, tobacco cessation efforts and shared decision-making processes. The program emerged from the prevention and early detection component of the Kentucky LEADS (Lung cancer, Education, Awareness, Detection and Survivorship) Collaborative, which was launched in 2014 to improve Kentucky’s approach to lung cancer through education, survivorship care and screening practices.

The LEADS Collaborative framework has helped boost Kentucky’s screening rates to twice the national average. As a result, late-stage lung cancer diagnoses have decreased by 10% in the past decade. The shift is expected to reduce mortality rates over time, as patients diagnosed at earlier stages have significantly better survival prospects.

“The message is simple: lung cancer screening saves lives. With modern treatments, many early-stage lung cancers are not only treatable but potentially curable,” said Mullett, a thoracic surgeon and a co-principal investigator of the Kentucky LEADS Collaborative. “This project will help to spread this message of hope in high-risk communities and could save thousands of lives.”

The team is establishing partnerships with key organizations in Mississippi and Nevada to implement the QUILS™ System and build a program based on the successful LEADS Collaborative framework. The effort will also encourage coalition building among diverse partners throughout each state and engage each state’s primary care infrastructure to accelerate screening — adapting the Kentucky model to meet each state’s unique needs.

UK will serve as the program management hub, in addition to leading the coalition building and QUILS™ System Implementation. The clinician engagement component and the population health impact evaluation will be led by CU. UK and CU will work alongside the lead organizations in Mississippi and Nevada: The University of Mississippi Medical Center and Nevada Cancer Coalition.

“The teams in Mississippi and Nevada have developed an engaged group of collaborators that are ready to work with our team to optimize delivery and outcomes related to lung cancer screening — the most underutilized tool to transform cancer outcomes nationally,” said Studts, a cancer prevention and control researcher, professor and co-principal investigator. “Together, we have an incredible opportunity to transform the lung cancer screening and outcomes landscape similarly to how that landscape is changing in Kentucky.”

The long-term goal is to create a sustainable, replicable model for improving lung cancer screening rates and outcomes nationwide. If successful, this model could potentially be expanded to other states with similar needs.

“We’ve seen firsthand how impactful the Kentucky LEADS Collaborative has been in increasing lung cancer screenings and helping save lives,” said Catharine Grimes, president of the Bristol Myers Squibb Foundation. “Now, we are providing a deeper commitment to the successful work in Kentucky and an expansion into communities in Mississippi and Nevada, where the need is just as great, and we’re proud to support this important effort.”

At Teva, we are all in for better health. Increasing access to quality medicines is fundamental to improving the health of patients and the success of our business. 

In order to achieve lasting impact, we have expanded a number of our access programs to go beyond the product by incorporating Health System Strengthening and Capacity Building efforts.

Capacity building is critical for ensuring sustainable and resilient healthcare systems, directly contributing to our mission of expanding access to care. To increase our positive impact beyond medicines, our health system strengthening and capacity-building initiatives expand healthcare professionals’ skill sets, increase treatment accessibility such as diagnosis and screening, improve community members’ health literacy and awareness and overall enhance local capacity to support the health needs of underserved populations. We take a holistic approach to health equity to address other social determinants of health, including financial, geographic, socioeconomic and cultural factors. We aim to increase the cumulative number of beneficiaries of our initiatives by 200% by 2026 (vs. cumulative 2022–2023 baseline). Many of our initiatives complement our Access to Medicines programs (see page 19 in the Healthy Future Report).

Our main initiatives in 2024 to promote health system strengthening and capacity-building were:

• Malawi, Uganda, Botswana, Tanzania and Rwanda – Pediatric oncology specialists are few and far between in Sub-Saharan Africa. We expanded our support for Global HOPE in 2024 through efforts specifically focused on strengthening local capacity, including training for nurses and medical officers, as well as nurse training scholarships. Beneficiaries in 2024 numbered 1,965 – including HCPs trained and resulting patients diagnosed. We are building sustainable healthcare capacity, ensuring that children receive timely and effective treatment.
• Ghana – A lack of breast care centers and trained healthcare practitioners, along with low awareness and high stigma, contribute to high breast cancer mortality rates in Ghana. Through our partnership with Breast Care International, we are addressing healthcare challenges that hinder early diagnosis and treatment, ensuring that patients receive the care they need. We are raising awareness on breast cancer and the importance of early diagnosis, increasing local capacity to increase breast cancer screening for women aged 18–60, and improving referral pathways. Beneficiaries in 2024 totaled 10,752, including patients and HCPs in rural Ghana.
• Chile – We organized an educational event focusing on mental health, the risks of self-medication and the importance of adhering to prescribed therapies, attracting 100 participants including healthcare professionals and community members. We conducted community training sessions in Cochamó and Río Puelo, collectively impacting around 5,100 residents.
• USA – From November 2023 to October 2024, our grant funding helped 34,916 beneficiaries (14,480 directly and 20,436 indirectly) in clinics supported by our Community Routes program. Over two years of funding, we have trained 2,800 community members, held 131 community events, expanded access to mental health services for 63,659 beneficiaries and conducted 24,617 patient screenings. Together with our partners Direct Relief and NAFC, in 2024 we published a report in collaboration with the grantees of our behavioral health program in local USA clinics and communities. Lessons Learned from Community Routes: Access to Mental Health Care highlights experiences and understandings relevant for broader underserved, bi-lingual/bi-cultural populations and patients with low health literacy. The report is a useful resource for social impact program policymakers, funders and safety-net providers.

Support the Soul in Israel
Following the brutal attacks of October 7, 2023 trauma took hold of the lives of Israelis, affecting citizens with post-traumatic stress disorder and related issues such as depression, anxiety, sleep disorders and addictions.

Israel needs more professional trauma therapists as the shortage hampers mental health support and recovery. Therapists are also experiencing burnout, as well as dealing with intense personal challenges.

Our Support The Soul program provides support via: training professional teams, creating safe spaces, innovative tools, and research. It is strengthening the infrastructure of resilience centers to provide safe spaces for therapy, increasing treatment facilities and making mental health services more accessible.

In collaboration with the Israel Trauma Coalition, our training courses in Israel in 2024 included 32 hours of instruction for 430 practitioners that benefited over 2,580 individuals in need.

Support the Soul will continue through 2025, aiming to train and supervise 750 professional therapists, support two resilience centers (benefiting 6,000 people directly), equip 2,000 first responders with resilience tools, and support 18 technology companies through a southern-based acceleration program.

To learn more, read the full 2024 Healthy Future Report.
Read the full 2024 Healthy Future Report Disclosures. 

At WK Kellogg Co, we are committed to supporting kids and our communities — starting with making sure every child has access to the food they need to grow and be healthy, especially during the summer months when school meals are no longer available. That’s why we are proud to team up with Gleaners Community Food Bank of Southeastern Michigan and Kroger for the annual Children’s Hospital of Michigan Cereal Drive.

For the past 15 years, the Children’s Hospital of Michigan Professional Nurse Council at the Detroit Medical Center has led this important community initiative in partnership with Gleaners, helping ensure children have a consistent daily meal while school is out. Since its start in 2010, the drive has provided more than 14.5 million servings of cereal to families in need. To recognize this milestone year, the goal for 2025 is to raise an ambitious 1.5 million servings.

WK Kellogg Co is proud to be part of this community-driven effort. Over the past three years, we have donated nearly 70,000 pounds of cereal, and we are excited to keep the momentum going.

“At WK Kellogg Co, our Feeding Happiness sustainable business strategy is about more than just food — it’s about helping children and families lead healthier, happier lives,” said Susan Davison, Head of Communications and Philanthropy at WK Kellogg Co. “We’re proud to stand with Gleaners, Kroger and the Children’s Hospital of Michigan in this long-standing effort to fight hunger and support communities across Michigan.”

This week, WK Kellogg Co participated in the Cereal Drive Fill a Bus event at the Kroger in Royal Oak, Michigan, where Tony the Tiger® greeted community members as they donated cereal in an effort to fill the bus — a spirited and visible symbol of community generosity.

“Once school is out for summer, kids in metro Detroit facing food insecurity might not know where their next meal is coming from,” said Angela Halverson, Director of Community Giving at Gleaners Community Food Bank of Southeastern Michigan. “The goal of the Cereal Drive is to ensure that kids have access to a consistent daily meal over the summer break, and Gleaners certainly couldn’t do it alone! We are so grateful for the tremendous partnerships with the Children’s Hospital of Michigan, the Kroger Company of Michigan, WK Kellogg Co and the United Dairy Industry of Michigan, among others. The Cereal Drive really does mean hope for so many kids and families over the summer.”

All cereal collected will be donated to Gleaners Community Food Bank of Southeastern Michigan, who will distribute it to children and families across the region throughout the summer.

To learn more about how you can participate, visit https://www.childrensdmc.org/about/cereal-drive.

• HERO grants will fund emergency preparedness equipment and first responder training to support local efforts
• Funding will benefit 20 vital disaster response organizations, including local government agencies and nonprofits

CHARLOTTE, N.C., June 6, 2025 /3BL/ – As North Carolina communities prepare for storm season, Duke Energy today announced new support for preparedness initiatives led by local emergency response organizations across the state.

What’s happening: Twenty government agencies and nonprofits are receiving Duke Energy Foundation grants of $25,000 to fund severe weather preparedness measures. These Helping Emergency Response Organizations (HERO) grants will help prepare community resources, emergency responders and residents for major storms.

Why it matters: Natural disasters have caused catastrophic impacts across North Carolina in recent years, spanning from the coast to the western mountain region. With another heightened storm season predicted, collaborative response planning will play a critical role in supporting communities. Duke Energy Foundation is empowering local organizations that know their communities best with the resources they need to be successful.

By the numbers: Duke Energy Foundation has supported more than 100 local emergency response organizations during the past five years with more than $1.8 million in grant funding to advance storm preparedness in North Carolina.

What they’re saying:

• Kendal Bowman, Duke Energy’s North Carolina president: “Last storm season underscored the resilience of our North Carolina communities. Proactive collaboration with local emergency response organizations is necessary to ensure that communities are prepared to maintain that resilience. We are committed to helping equip our growing state with the tools necessary to stay safe during the upcoming storm season.”
   
• Tommy Batson, Pender County Emergency Management Director: “Pender County, along with many coastal communities/counties, is one disaster from losing the communications we use every day. Tropical Storm Helene hit western North Carolina in the fall of 2024 and the everyday radio communication, cell service and internet were lost. Pender County, along with many other agencies from across the country, had never seen this. This grant from Duke Energy will help us bridge this gap during the next event.” 
   
• Tony Ray, Town of Beaufort Fire Chief: “The support from the Duke Energy Foundation is a vital investment in the safety of our community. This grant allows us to provide essential training and equipment for our firefighters, ensuring we’re better prepared to respond to emergencies and protect the lives and property of Beaufort’s residents, especially during natural disasters.”
   
• Don Mail, Wake County Board of Commissioners Vice Chair: “Emergency preparedness starts at the individual level. When all residents have access to the resources that will keep them safe during a crisis or natural disaster, our whole community becomes more resilient. We are incredibly grateful to our partners at the Duke Energy Foundation for supporting this important work by investing in equity and safety in Wake County.”

Grant recipients

• Anson County
   
• Town of Beaufort
   
• Belews Creek Volunteer Fire and Rescue Department
   
• Buncombe County
   
• Cherokee County Emergency Management
   
• Gastonia Police Foundation
   
• County of Granville
   
• Henderson County
   
• Jones County Emergency Management
   
• Lee County Emergency Management
   
• McDowell County
   
• Pender County Emergency Management
   
• Piedmont Triad Regional Development Corporation
   
• Town of Pittsboro
   
• City of Raleigh
   
• Rockingham County
   
• Rowan County Rescue Squad
   
• Town of St. Pauls
   
• Wake County Government
   
• Wilmington Area Rebuilding Ministry

Duke Energy Foundation

Duke Energy Foundation provides more than $30 million annually in philanthropic support to meet the needs of communities where Duke Energy customers live and work. The Foundation is funded by Duke Energy shareholders.

Duke Energy

Duke Energy (NYSE: DUK), a Fortune 150 company headquartered in Charlotte, N.C., is one of America’s largest energy holding companies. The company’s electric utilities serve 8.6 million customers in North Carolina, South Carolina, Florida, Indiana, Ohio and Kentucky, and collectively own 55,100 megawatts of energy capacity. Its natural gas utilities serve 1.7 million customers in North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Ohio and Kentucky.

Duke Energy is executing an ambitious energy transition, keeping customer reliability and value at the forefront as it builds a smarter energy future. The company is investing in major electric grid upgrades and cleaner generation, including natural gas, nuclear, renewables and energy storage.

More information is available at duke-energy.com and the Duke Energy News Center. Follow Duke Energy on X, LinkedIn, Instagram and Facebook, and visit illumination for stories about the people and innovations powering our energy transition.

Contact: Garrett Poorman
24-Hour: 800.559.3853

View original content here.

As World Oceans Day approaches on June 8, 2025, we are reminded of the urgent need to protect our blue planet. This year’s theme, “Sustainable Fishing Means More,” highlights the growing demand for innovation to preserve marine ecosystems and fight climate change. Among the most promising breakthroughs in ocean-inspired sustainability is AirCarbon®, a regenerative, carbon-negative material created by Newlight Technologies.

The Science: From Microbes to Materials

AirCarbon® was born from an extraordinary scientific discovery. While researching oil spills, scientists observed oceanic microorganisms consuming methane, a potent greenhouse gas, and naturally producing Polyhydroxybutyrate (PHB) within their cells. This polymer mimics the characteristics of polypropylene, a common plastic, but with a critical difference: PHB is biodegradable and renewable.

Newlight Technologies scaled this biological process into a commercially viable innovation. Using air and greenhouse gases dissolved in water, they produce AirCarbon®, a plastic alternative now used in cutlery, straws, eyewear, leather substitutes, and more. With over 50 patents and more than a decade of R&D, AirCarbon® offers an elegant, market-driven solution to reduce plastic waste and climate impact.

AirCarbon® isn’t just a promising innovation—it’s already making waves across industries. Companies like Nike and H&M have partnered with Newlight Technologies to incorporate AirCarbon® into sustainable fashion collections, while Shake Shack, Target, and Ben & Jerry’s have piloted its use in foodware to reduce single-use plastic waste. In hospitality, Marriott International has adopted AirCarbon® utensils in select locations, and in the automotive space, Sumitomo Chemical is exploring its potential for carbon-negative materials. These partnerships demonstrate AirCarbon’s versatility and growing role in helping brands meet their environmental commitments.

Scaling Sustainability

In recent developments, Newlight announced plans for a $1.1 billion manufacturing facility in Manitoba, Canada, further expanding their capacity to meet the demand for sustainable materials. This follows a $125 million equity round led by GenZero, reinforcing the company’s path toward industrial-scale impact.

As governments and corporations seek actionable ways to meet ESG targets, AirCarbon® stands out as a proven alternative—both technologically and environmentally sound.

Featured on the RENEWables Podcast

To explore the deeper implications of this breakthrough, Mark Herrema, Co-Founder & CEO of Newlight Technologies, joined the RENEWables podcast. In Episode #36, Herrema shares the origin story of AirCarbon®, the challenges of scaling biological innovation, and how circular economy principles can guide the future of materials.

“AirCarbon is not just about replacing plastic—it’s about capturing carbon, restoring balance, and rethinking how we interact with the natural world.” — Mark Herrema

Don’t miss this powerful conversation.
Listen to the full episode of RENEWables featuring Mark Herrema here: RENEWables #36: AirCarbon®
Share the episode with your network to help elevate solutions that matter this World Oceans Day.