Author: sHq_LoGiNz

Originally published on Aflac Newsroom

David Pollack is best known as a former University of Georgia football star, NFL linebacker and longtime college football analyst. A three‑time All‑American at Georgia, he was selected in the first round of the 2005 NFL Draft by the Cincinnati Bengals before a neck injury ended his professional career early.

While widely recognized as a star athlete, David is defined by his commitment to faith and family. He and his wife, Lindsey, have been married since 2005 and in their 20^th year together, they were faced with the unexpected: Lindsey experienced sudden neurological symptoms that led her to get checked. Doctors later discovered a brain tumor that required urgent intervention. Her diagnosis was later identified as stage IV glioblastoma, one of the most aggressive and difficult‑to‑treat forms of brain cancer.

The road to cancer-free

The immediate treatment was surgery, which marked only the beginning of a long and uncertain path forward. Following surgery, Lindsey faced significant physical challenges, including partial paralysis on the left side of her body, limiting movement in her arm and hand, as well as extreme fatigue and low blood pressure.

Over the weeks and months that followed, Lindsey began an intensive rehabilitation process, having to relearn basic physical functions, including walking. David stayed by her side, cheering her on and celebrating every improvement along the way — from first steps to eventually the ability to do light daily activities again.

“Those early days were nothing short of frightening and emotionally overwhelming, but there was one moment, just a few hours after surgery, that showed me how resilient and determined Lindsey is,” David recalled. “She couldn’t speak or even open her eyes, but when we played her favorite worship song, she lifted her arms in praise — something that not only shocked those of us around her, but also became a symbol of faith in what would be a successful journey ahead.”

Exactly one year after Lindsey’s surgery, David announced that his wife was cancer‑free, a milestone that many physicians and families facing glioblastoma never reach.

A deepened commitment to service and advocacy

David and Lindsey were very open about the diagnosis and treatment journey, posting often on social media to share progress updates. Initially, it was about a call for prayers in the midst of a crisis. Then, in the months following, David reflected on the experience and noticed a theme: Cancer can often go undetected until it becomes a crisis. That realization prompted him to become a vocal advocate for being proactive with your health — knowing your body, staying on top of important screenings and never postponing doctor visits, especially when something feels “off.” This is why he has been named an Aflac Check for Cancer Champion.

“You only have one body, and you need to care for it,” David said. “Don’t wait until a convenient time to check for cancer, because that time may never come. Prioritize your health and get checked, because early detection is the best line of defense.”

Reflecting on Lindsey’s experiences and challenges he has faced throughout his life, David recently wrote and published a new book titled, “Every Day Counts,” a mantra he uses to remind himself and others to deal with life’s challengers by starting where you are, using what you have, and doing what you can, just for today.

David — alongside Lindsey and their two children — continues to reinforce the importance of preventive health, especially when it comes to early detection, and that’s what makes him a champion.

The Check for Cancer Champions program is part of Aflac’s Check for Cancer initiative, a bold, national movement to increase cancer screenings by 10% over 10 years. Learn more about the Check for Cancer movement by visiting Aflac.com/CheckForCancer.

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^{This article is for informational purposes only and is not a solicitation for insurance.}

^{Aflac | Aflac New York | WWHQ 1932 Wynnton Road | Columbus, GA 31999}

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News Summary

• LG Electronics has been named to the 2026 Forbes “Accessibility 200” list recognizing global innovators and impact-makers advancing accessibility.
• The company’s  accessibility initiatives span AI-enabled TV captioning, smart home innovations, LG Comfort Kit appliance accessories and accessible commercial technologies.
• LG’s “Design for All” initiatives reinforce the company’s long-term commitment to creating technology and experiences that improve life for people of all abilities.

ENGLEWOOD CLIFFS, N.J., May 19, 2026 /3BL/ — Global home appliance and consumer electronics innovator LG Electronics has been named to the 2026 Forbes “Accessibility 200” list, which recognizes leading global organizations driving innovation and impact in accessibility-related fields.

The recognition reflects LG’s growing commitment to inclusive innovation through its global “Better Life for All” ESG vision and related “Design for All” initiatives, which focus on creating products, services and experiences that are intuitive, accessible and easy to use for people of all ages and abilities.

“Accessibility is increasingly shaping how we innovate, design and deliver experiences that improve everyday life,” said Don Kwack, President and CEO of LG Electronics North America. “We are honored to be recognized by Forbes for our efforts to help create more inclusive environments through technology. Guided by our Better Life for All vision, LG is committed to developing solutions that empower independence, convenience and connection for all.”

In recent years, LG has expanded its accessibility-focused technologies and programs across both consumer and commercial categories. These initiatives include the LG Comfort Kit family of appliance accessories that embody LG’s Design for All approach by supporting a wide range of users, including seniors and individuals with varying mobility, dexterity and visual abilities. This year’s introduction of tactile stickers in North America further enhances accessibility by enabling blind or low vision users to more easily identify and operate appliances, while also improving usability for wheelchair users who previously faced challenges due to the height of control panels.

Other initiatives include AI-enabled TV capabilities with enhanced captioning features, smart-home accessibility innovations leveraging AI and IoT technologies, and accessible commercial kiosks designed for grocery and retail environments as well as quick-service restaurants.

Earlier this year at the 2026 CSUN Assistive Technology Conference, LG showcased AI-enabled smart home technologies and accessible solutions designed to support people with visual, hearing and mobility disabilities. The company also introduced an accessibility-enhanced commercial kiosk integrating a refreshable braille interface, height-adjustable displays and sign-language video guidance.

“Accessibility innovation inspires new features, products and services that transform how people with disabilities – and often the wider world – communicate, travel, learn, work, play sports, and so much more,” said Forbes Assistant Managing Editor Alan Schwarz, who spearheaded the 2026 Accessibility 200 list. “Accessibility has evolved from a legal mandate to a bustling frontier of innovation, impact and profit. It’s now beyond ‘the right thing to do’ – it’s integral to a smart business.”

Presented alphabetically and expanded this year from 100 to 200 honorees, the just-published Forbes Accessibility 200 recognizes companies and organizations making meaningful contributions across areas including consumer products, software, communication, mobility, education, entertainment, travel, sports and recreation, robotics and the workplace. The 2026 list includes organizations representing 23 countries across six continents and was compiled with the assistance of a 12-member expert advisory board.

# # #

About LG Electronics USA

LG Electronics USA Inc., based in Englewood Cliffs, N.J., is the North American subsidiary of LG Electronics Inc., a smart life solutions company with annual global revenues of more than $60 billion. In the United States, LG sells a wide range of innovative home appliances, home entertainment products, commercial displays, air conditioning systems and vehicle components. LG is an 11-time ENERGY STAR® Partner of the Year. www.LG.com. 

Media Contacts:

LG Electronics North America

John I. Taylor
+1 847 941 8181 
john.taylor@lge.com 

Alex Oltmanns
alex.oltmanns@bursonglobal.com
+1 412 394 6678

DENVER, May 19, 2026 /3BL/ – DaVita announced its 2030 Community Care commitments, a new set of long-term goals, focused on improving patient outcomes, supporting the expansion of economic opportunity for teammates, and strengthening community and environmental resilience. The announcement follows the company achieving or exceeding the majority of its prior five-year environmental, social and governance (ESG) goals, reinforcing DaVita’s track record of turning ambition into measurable impact.

Guided by its Trilogy of Care — Caring for Our Patients, Caring for Each Other and Caring for Our World — the 2030 framework builds on more than 25 years of progress and reflects DaVita’s continued commitment to raising the standard for kidney care in the communities it serves.

“As we look toward 2030, we’re building on decades of progress and continuing to redefine what’s possible in kidney care,” said Javier Rodriguez, chief executive officer of DaVita. “Whether it’s expanding access to transplants, creating meaningful opportunities for teammates or advancing more sustainable operations, these commitments reflect the impact our teammates make every day in the communities we serve.”

The 2030 commitments build on strong momentum from the company’s previous five-year goals and focus on three areas central to DaVita’s mission.

Advancing Industry-Leading Care

In 2025, DaVita educated more than 40,000 people through its Kidney Smart® classes — bringing the total number of individuals reached to more than 300,000 — and supported more than 8,000 patients in receiving kidney transplants.

By 2030, DaVita aims to:

• Improve patient quality of life by reducing avoidable hospitalizations
• Empower 150,000 patients to make more informed modality choices through kidney education
• Narrow health disparities by increasing home dialysis and transplant access for underserved populations
• Support 40,000 DaVita patients in receiving a transplant

Driving Economic Mobility and Teammate Engagement

In 2025, DaVita achieved an 85% teammate engagement score, exceeded its five-year teammate volunteerism goal by logging more than 218,000 hours of community service, and supported more than 400 teammates in pursuing advanced nursing degrees.

By 2030, DaVita strives to:

• Sustain market-leading teammate engagement scores of 80% or higher each year
• Advance 2,000 new nurses through DaVita development and career programs
• Contribute 300,000 hours of community service through teammate volunteerism

Strengthening Communities and Environmental Resilience

DaVita has already achieved 100% renewable energy use across its current operations and surpassed prior environmental goals by conserving 468 million gallons of water.

Looking ahead, the company plans to:

• Support philanthropic investments benefiting 400,000 people
• Power global operations with 100% renewable energy annually
• Assess climate-related risks and invest in more resilient operations to help protect continuity of patient care
• Expand water conservation best practices across every country where DaVita operates

External Recognition

DaVita’s approach to sustainability, workplace culture and corporate governance continues to earn external recognition, including recent honors from:

• Time magazine’s World’s Most Sustainable Companies
• Dow Jones Best-in-Class Indices
• Carbon Disclosure Project (CDP) “A-List” for climate change
• Fortune, USA Today and Newsweek recognitions as an employer of choice

To read more about DaVita’s 2025 achievements and review the report in its entirety, visit https://davita.com/communitycare/

###

About DaVita Inc.
DaVita (NYSE: DVA) is a healthcare provider focused on transforming care delivery to improve quality of life for patients globally. As a comprehensive kidney care provider, DaVita has been a leader in clinical quality and innovation for more than 25 years. DaVita cares for patients at every stage and setting along their kidney health journey — from slowing the progression of kidney disease to helping support transplantation. This includes ensuring they are supported at home, in dialysis centers, in the hospital and in skilled nursing facilities. As of March 31, 2026, DaVita served approximately 296,300 patients at 3,262 outpatient dialysis centers, of which 2,666 centers were located in the United States and 596 centers were located in 14 other countries worldwide. DaVita has reduced hospitalizations, improved mortality, helped improve health access and worked collaboratively to propel the kidney care community to adopt a higher quality standard of care for all patients, everywhere. To learn more, visit DaVita.com/About.

Media Contact: newsroom@davita.com

NEW YORK and TOKYO, May 19, 2026 /3BL/ – The International WELL Building Institute (IWBI) and Panasonic Electric Works Co., Ltd. (Panasonic EW) announced today new findings from a Panasonic EW-led study indicating that WELL Certified workplaces significantly outperform non-certified spaces—delivering substantial gains in employee well-being, engagement and workplace experience, and underscoring the powerful connection between healthy building strategies, human performance and organizational resilience. Drawing on more than 4,200 occupant surveys across 41 office projects in Japan, the study provides one of the most comprehensive analyses to date of how health-focused buildings translate into measurable outcomes.

“This study, conducted in collaboration between IWBI and Panasonic EW, provides a comprehensive analysis of WELL Certified offices across Japan,” said Dr. Yoshifumi Murakami, Manager of Well consultant & Service Promotion Dept. at Panasonic EW. “The findings show that WELL Certified workplaces achieved higher performance not only in environmental factors such as air, sound and lighting, but also in workplace experience and organizational environment, contributing to improved employee well-being and engagement. We believe these results reinforce the importance of designing workplaces with well-being.”

The findings demonstrate a clear and consistent performance advantage. Employees in WELL Certified projects reported a 19% increase in overall well-being and a 20% increase in perceived work engagement compared to non-certified buildings. Across the core indoor environmental quality factors examined, those most tied to human health and performance, WELL projects also showed significantly higher satisfaction, including access to nature (+36%), water quality (+26%), indoor air quality (+23%), sound environment (+21%), speech privacy (+21%), thermal comfort (+20%), natural light (+18%) and lighting environment (+13%). Importantly, this performance advantage held even against recently renovated workplaces. WELL Certified offices outperformed recently renovated non-certified offices by 10% in well-being and 8% in engagement, underscoring that renovations alone fail to deliver the same gains in engagement and well-being.

“This study adds to a rapidly expanding and well-substantiated body of evidence showing that WELL Certified buildings consistently outperform across the very factors that matter most for human health, well-being and performance,” said Rachel Hodgdon, President and CEO, IWBI. “The findings also send a powerful message to organizations everywhere: investing in health is not a cost but a catalyst for stronger performance, deeper engagement and greater organizational resilience.”

Beyond the indoor environment, the study also underscores the broader impact of WELL on workplace experience. Employees in WELL Certified spaces reported higher satisfaction with key workplace culture and design elements, including privacy, psychological safety, social connection and opportunities to rest and recharge throughout the workday. Interior design factors, ranging from layout and furnishings to cleanliness and operational policies, also scored higher, pointing to a more comprehensive and supportive workplace ecosystem.

“While many organizations recognize the importance of well-being, one of the common challenges has been the difficulty in clearly demonstrating its impact and value. This study provides important evidence validating the performance and value of WELL Certified spaces, while also offering meaningful insights to support investment decisions related to workplace well-being.” said Hisashi Hara, Head of Well-Being Business Development Office at Panasonic EW. “Panasonic EW will continue leveraging these findings to support clients in creating healthier, more comfortable and higher-performing workplaces, while helping advance well-being across the Japanese market.”

Further analysis in the study helps dive deeper, explaining what is driving these outcomes. Regression modeling shows that key factors related to refreshing and recharging are a strong contributor to perceived well-being, accounting for 31%, followed by team culture at 16%, indoor environmental quality at 15% and design at 14%. A similar pattern emerges for work engagement, with refreshing and recharging accounting for 18%, team culture 14% and design 14%. The design factors also include the teamwork environment, highlighting the importance of workplace design in supporting collaboration and employee experience. Together, these findings highlight a holistic model of performance where physical conditions, social dynamics and workplace design operate in tandem to support both health and productivity.

As one of the largest post-occupancy datasets comparing WELL-certified and non-certified offices, the study provides a rigorous, evidence-based rationale for elevating health and well-being as a cornerstone of workplace investment strategies. Taken together, the results mark a fundamental shift toward prioritizing health and well-being as central to driving human performance and organizational resilience.

Download the study here.

About the International WELL Building Institute
The International WELL Building Institute (IWBI) is a public benefit corporation and the global authority for transforming health and well-being in buildings, organizations and communities. In pursuit of its public-health mission, IWBI mobilizes its community through the development and administration of the WELL Building Standard (WELL), WELL for residential, WELL Community Standard, its WELL ratings and management of the WELL AP credential. IWBI also translates research into practice, develops educational resources and advocates for policies that promote people-first places for everyone, everywhere. More information on WELL can be found here.

International WELL Building Institute, IWBI, the WELL Building Standard, WELL v2, WELL Certified, WELL AP, WELL EP, WELL Score, The WELL Conference, We Are WELL, the WELL Community Standard, WELL Health-Safety Rated, WELL Performance Rated, WELL Equity Rated, WELL Equity, WELL Coworking Rated, WELL Residence, Works with WELL, WELL and others, and their related logos are trademarks or certification marks of International WELL Building Institute pbc in the United States and other countries.

Media contact:
media@wellcertified.com

About Panasonic Electric Works Co., Ltd.
Company Name: Panasonic Electric Works Co., Ltd.
Head Office: Panasonic Tokyo Shiodome Building, 1-5-1 Higashi-Shimbashi, Minato-ku, Tokyo 105-8301, Japan
Representative: Kiyoshi Otaki
Website: https://panasonic.co.jp/ew/

Guided by its purpose, “Brightening Today. Powering the Future, Panasonic EW is committed to creating new value through electrical infrastructure, with a focus on areas such as Well-Being and Energy Management, contributing to a sustainable and enriched society.

In the field of Well-Being, Panasonic EW promotes the concept of “Science for Well-Being” by providing WELL Certification consulting services in Japan, develops workplaces where people can experience Well-Being firsthand, and offers a variety of solutions designed to enhance health, comfort, and workplace experience. Through these initiatives, Panasonic EW continues to contribute to the creation of healthier and more human-centered spaces across Japan.

View original content here.

Blackbaud (NASDAQ: BLKB), the world’s leading provider of AI-powered solutions for social impact, today released its 2025 Impact Report, outlining the company’s environmental, social, and governance performance and detailing how it is intentionally aligning innovation with responsibility as AI adoption accelerates.

As technology advances at unprecedented speed, Blackbaud is focused on ensuring trust keeps pace with progress. The report reflects the company’s belief that how it operates matters as much as what it builds, and that long‑term, sustainable impact depends on clear standards, strong oversight, and accountability.

“As AI innovation accelerates, responsibility isn’t optional; it’s foundational,” said Mike Gianoni, president, CEO, and vice chairman of the board of directors of Blackbaud. “Our customers’ missions depend on trust. This report shows how we’re strengthening governance, transparency, and sustainability so we can innovate with confidence and support impact that lasts.”

In 2025, more than $100 billion was raised, granted, or managed through Blackbaud platforms worldwide, fueling the mission‑driven work of nonprofits, educational institutions, and social impact organizations across the globe.

The 2025 Impact Report also highlights progress across Blackbaud’s environmental, people, and governance priorities, including:

• Achieving 100% carbon neutrality for 2025 emissions and reducing global greenhouse gas emissions 86% since 2020.
• Increasing employee engagement, with 75% of employees volunteering in 2025, compared to a global median of 23%.
• Requiring annual cybersecurity and responsible AI training for all employees to reinforce accountability and data stewardship.
• Strengthening oversight of responsible AI through a formal, cross‑functional AI Council with enterprise‑wide scope.

The report underscores Blackbaud’s commitment to advancing responsible AI through disciplined governance and transparency so innovation delivers measurable benefits without compromising trust. In 2025, the company strengthened how accountability, oversight, and transparency guide product development and operations, ensuring responsibility scales alongside technological capability.

“Our role in the social impact ecosystem carries a lower risk tolerance,” Gianoni said. “This report reflects the standards we hold ourselves to as a corporate citizen and the progress we’re making to operate more responsibly, engage our people more deeply, and govern innovation with rigor.”

The 2025 Impact Report provides an in‑depth look at Blackbaud’s approach to:

• More responsible operations to reduce environmental impact.
• More employee engagement to strengthen culture and community.
• More governance oversight to guide responsible innovation and long‑term value creation.

The full report is available at csr.blackbaud.com.

About Blackbaud
Blackbaud (NASDAQ: BLKB) is the world’s leading provider of AI-powered solutions for social impact. Serving nonprofits, educational institutions, companies committed to corporate social responsibility, and individual change makers, Blackbaud propels impact at scale with the sector’s most intelligent solutions for fundraising and engagement, education solutions, financial management and CSR and grantmaking. With the deepest expertise powered by the world’s largest philanthropic data set, the most connected workflows, and the most powerful impact network, Blackbaud’s solutions are building a future where resources are unleashed at the speed of need. Blackbaud has been recognized by Fast Company, Newsweek, Quartz, Forbes and more for AI innovation, responsible leadership and workplace excellence. Blackbaud has operations in the United States, Australia, Canada, Costa Rica, India and the United Kingdom, supporting users in 100+ countries. Learn more at www.blackbaud.com or follow us on X/Twitter, LinkedIn, Instagram and Facebook. 

Media Inquiries
media@blackbaud.com

Forward-looking Statements
Except for historical information, all of the statements, expectations and assumptions contained in this news release are forward-looking statements that involve a number of risks and uncertainties, including statements regarding expected benefits of products and product features. Although Blackbaud attempts to be accurate in making these forward-looking statements, it is possible that future circumstances might differ from the assumptions on which such statements are based. In addition, other important factors that could cause results to differ materially include the following: general economic risks; uncertainty regarding increased business and renewals from existing customers; continued success in sales growth; management of integration of acquired companies and other risks associated with acquisitions; risks associated with successful implementation of multiple integrated software products; the ability to attract and retain key personnel; risks associated with management of growth; lengthy sales and implementation cycles; technological changes that make our products and services less competitive; and the other risk factors set forth from time to time in the SEC filings for Blackbaud, copies of which are available free of charge at the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov or upon request from Blackbaud’s investor relations department. All Blackbaud product names appearing herein are trademarks or registered trademarks of Blackbaud, Inc.

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Classrooms came to life outside the school walls as students from CrossPointe Preparatory School visited Entergy Arkansas’s Searcy service center for a hands-on look at how electricity powers their everyday lives.

The students spent the day exploring science, math and engineering concepts through real-world demonstrations led by Entergy Arkansas employees. From learning how power lines are built to seeing the equipment used to keep the grid running, the visit offered a behind-the-scenes look at careers many students had never considered.

“It was a very cool experience,” said Levi Nix, a fifth-grade student. “I got to learn about a lot of science and math and see behind the scenes.”

The visit began with a welcome and safety overview before transitioning into an engineering session, where students learned what a typical day looks like for Entergy engineers. Employees demonstrated tools used to design and troubleshoot the electrical system, including 3D modeling software that allows teams to plan pole configurations and system improvements.

“I hear all the time kids say, ‘I’m never going to use algebra,’ but our engineers and our linemen are out here solving for x every day,” said Todd Welter, Entergy Arkansas customer service manager. “Or they say, ‘I’ll never use physics,’ so we show them how we construct our pole lines. If we construct them incorrectly, those pole lines will collapse.”

Students then toured the facility, where they explored different pole sizes, equipment and service trucks. They learned how materials are selected to withstand weather conditions and how crews prepare for outages. They were also able to see Entergy’s Arcs and Sparks crew demonstrate the dangers of power lines as well as answer questions they had about their own power.

“I always wondered what caused the lights to flicker and I learned that today,” Nix said.

The visit also highlighted the wide range of career opportunities available within Entergy Arkansas.

“A lot of students don’t know what all Entergy has to offer,” Welter said. “There’s a lot more to this company than poles, wire and bucket trucks.”

The experience supports Entergy Arkansas’s Next Generation Arkansas vision, specifically its Job Power pillar, which focuses on building a strong workforce pipeline across the state. By engaging students early and exposing them to careers in energy, the company is helping prepare the next generation of skilled workers who will power Arkansas’s future.

The day concluded with lunch and an informal question-and-answer session, giving students the opportunity to interact directly with employees and ask questions about careers in the energy industry.

“This was a very rewarding day seeing these kids light up,” Welter said. “They were very inquisitive and had some really great questions.”

For many, it was a chance to see how classroom lessons translate into real careers and for Entergy Arkansas employees, it was a reminder of the impact they can have on the next generation.

View original content here.

KINSHASA, Democratic Republic of Congo and NEW YORK May 19, 2026 /3BL/ – Following the confirmation of Ebola cases in Ituri province in the Democratic Republic of Congo, the World Health Organization has declared an international health emergency. Action Against Hunger is warning of the consequences of this outbreak for communities already weakened by the ongoing conflict.

“The situation is evolving extremely rapidly. It is still difficult to confirm the number of cases and deaths, as the outbreak is believed to have started in early April but was only identified on the 14th of May. Numerous contacts have been identified, particularly in the Mongbwalu health zone, where we are working, but also on the outskirts of Bunia, and a case has just been confirmed in Goma,” explains Julie Drouet, Country Director for Action Against Hunger in the DRC. “This is the Bundibungyo strain, for which no vaccine or treatment exists”

“Mongbwalu, where we are one of the only organizations on the ground, is a mining area with a lot of traffic and population movement in the country and region, which complicates efforts to control this virus and trace cases.”

“We are deeply concerned about the situation given the extremely high level of humanitarian needs. In Ituri province, our teams on the ground have already begun raising awareness among medical staff by purchasing and distributing protective equipment to limit the risk of infection in health centers,” says Drouet.

Against this backdrop of widespread funding cuts, Action Against Hunger is calling for a strong mobilization from the international community and donors to ensure an appropriate response.

Drouet says, “Healthcare workers are the first to be exposed to the risk of infection. It is urgent to fund the response to this crisis in order to limit the spread of the epidemic and maintain humanitarian assistance in the affected areas so as not to abandon the population during such an outbreak.”

***

Action Against Hunger leads the global movement to end hunger. We innovate solutions, advocate for change, and reach 26.5 million people every year with proven hunger prevention and treatment programs. As a nonprofit that works across over 55 countries, our 8,500+ dedicated staff members partner with communities to address the root causes of hunger, including climate change, conflict, inequity, and emergencies. We strive to create a world free from hunger, for everyone, for good.

Contact media@actionagainsthunger.org for inquiries.

In this bonus episode of Rethinking EHS, host Beatrice Bizzaro speaks with Ivy Liu (Terrapex Canada) to explore the impact of 6PPD-quinone on coho salmon populations in the Pacific Northwest. The conversation highlights how a common tire additive transforms into a toxic compound in the environment, causing widespread mortality in sensitive fish species and signaling broader water quality issues linked to urban runoff.

Listen now

• Apple Podcasts
• Spotify
• YouTube

Time Stamps

00:00:06 – Introduction & episode overview 
00:00:43 – Why coho salmon are key indicator species 
00:03:28 – How 6PPD enters waterways 
00:05:04 – Why research is concentrated in the Pacific Northwest 
00:06:09 – Key takeaways and urgency for action 
00:07:28 – Salmon life cycle and vulnerability 
00:09:25 – “Canary in the coal mine” explained 
00:11:45 – Closing reflections

Guest Quotes

Ivy Ng:
“Coho salmon are especially effective sentinels because their response is rapid, consistent and lethal, signaling broader water quality issues.”

 

All Podcast Episodes

As U.S. electricity demand is projected to grow nearly 16% by 2029—driven by domestic manufacturing and high-tech industry expansion—The Ray is reimagining the public right-of-way (ROW) as a vital land-use solution. They’ve shared their latest work in establishing a national blueprint for energy infrastructure colocation and grid resilience.

Optimizing Infrastructure through Proprietary Methodology

As the leading experts in ROW innovation, The Ray is helping state agencies bridge the gap between transportation and the utility sector through:

• Exclusive Asset Mapping: Leveraging the only complete national database of highway right-of-way to identify viable transmission and energy sites with unparalleled precision.
• Virtual Power Plants (VPPs): Coordinating roadside distributed energy resources (DERs) to create a flexible, decentralized system that meets grid needs at a 15-35% lower cost than traditional infrastructure.
• Interagency Coordination: Leading national models for early collaboration between DOTs and energy agencies to accelerate the integration of high-voltage transmission.

See The Ray’s Partner Map of state departments of transportation, turnpikes and local partners.

Strategic Expansion of the American Grid

The Ray’s recent collaboration with the Maine Department of Energy Resources (MaineDOER) and its nationwide suitability analysis represent a significant evolution in technical capabilities. By leveraging proprietary methodology and national data, The Ray is proving that state DOTs can transform underutilized roadsides into high-value assets that strengthen both the economy and the grid.

Free trainings, customizable posters and certified Easy to use¹ products help busy healthcare professionals perform hand hygiene at the right moments.

Originally published on Tork Press and News

PHILADELPHIA, PA, May 19, 2026 /3BL/ – Tork, an Essity brand and a global leader in professional hygiene, is reinforcing its commitment to healthcare professionals ahead of World Hand Hygiene Day (WHHD) 2026 by offering free hand hygiene training, customizable posters and certified Easy to use products that support consistent hand hygiene adherence and improve hygiene for all.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), improving hand hygiene practices may reduce pathogen transmission in healthcare environments by 50%.² In healthcare environments, even highly committed professionals can find it challenging to consistently follow the WHO’s Five Moments for Hand Hygiene. This is a key reason Tork supports the WHO’s annual “SAVE LIVES: Clean your Hands” campaign on World Hand Hygiene Day. This year, the campaign theme is “Action saves lives.”

“Reflecting on best practices each year gives healthcare professionals the opportunity to take action that saves lives by incorporating hand hygiene best practices at the right times in their daily routines,” said Tom Bergin, Marketing Director, Healthcare, Professional Hygiene at Essity. “We’re proud to continue offering resources and solutions that support their efforts to improve adherence and reduce the transmission of germs. On World Hand Hygiene Day, we’re reminding healthcare leaders that the right tools and trainings are critical to building a culture of hand hygiene that protects patients, staff, and visitors.”The WHO recommends hand cleansing hygiene at five key moments: before touching a patient; before a clean/aseptic procedure; after body fluid exposure risk; after touching a patient; and after touching patient surroundings.To help healthcare providers adopt these hand hygiene behaviors, Tork offers free access to:

• The Tork Clean Hands Training, an effective program that educates users on how to implement the WHO’s five moments for hand hygiene. A virtual reality version of the training is available and offers an interactive and engaging way to improve hand hygiene knowledge and skills.
• The Tork Healthy Hands tool, which enables healthcare facilities to create custom posters and reminders. Signage can also be placed with the Tork Hygiene stand to remind users of effective practices at the point of use. When patients see hand hygiene signage, they feel more confident in a facility’s cleanliness.³

Tork professional hygiene products are also designed to reduce barriers to hand hygiene with certified Easy to use dispensers that help reduce the risk of transmission of harmful germs and high-capacity formats that help ensure hand sanitizer, soap and paper towels are available when needed.To learn more please visit: https://www.torkglobal.com/us/en/for-your-business/industry/healthcare

About Tork

The Tork brand offers professional hygiene products and services to customers worldwide ranging from restaurants and healthcare facilities to offices, schools and industries. Our products include dispensers, paper towels, toilet tissues, soap, napkins and wipers, but also software solutions for data-driven cleaning. Through expertise in hygiene, functional design and sustainability, Tork has become a market leader that supports customers to think ahead so they’re always ready for business. Tork is a global brand of Essity and a committed partner to customers in more than 110 countries. To keep up with the latest Tork news and innovations, please visit www.torkglobal.com/us/en/.

About Essity

Essity is a global, leading hygiene and health company. Every day, our products, solutions and services are used by a billion people around the world. Our purpose is to break barriers to well-being for the benefit of consumers, patients, caregivers, customers and society. Sales are conducted in approximately 150 countries under the leading global brands TENA and Tork, and other strong brands such as Actimove, Cutimed, JOBST, Knix, Leukoplast, Libero, Libresse, Lotus, Modibodi, Nosotras, Saba, Tempo, TOM Organic and Zewa. In 2024, Essity had net sales of approximately SEK 146bn (EUR 13bn) and employed 36,000 people. The company’s headquarters is located in Stockholm, Sweden and Essity is listed on Nasdaq Stockholm. More information at essity.com.

Foot notes

¹Certified Easy to use by the Swedish Rheumatism Association (SRA)

²World Health Organization 2021, key facts document

³Tork Healthcare Hand Hygiene Survey, 2018. Conducted in US, UK, Sweden, Germany and Poland among 1017 healthcare professionals