Tag: 3BL

COMPLIMENTARY WEBINAR

Preparing for CSRD Mandatory Assurance: What Companies Need to Do Now

Thursday, April 30th, 2026 at 10:00 AM PST

REGISTER TODAY

If your organization is in scope for the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD), the next step is building the processes, controls, and evidence needed to meet assurance requirements. This session provides a practical roadmap for readiness, covering data governance, internal control frameworks, documentation standards, and alignment with ESRS reporting.

Whether you are early in your CSRD journey or already reporting, this complimentary 30-minute webinar will help you build an assurance-ready ESG reporting system.

Join Danielle Stapleton, SCS Global Services’ Program Manager for ESG Assurance, as she highlights the following:

– What auditors will expect
– Common challenges organizations face in their first assurance cycle
– Key actions companies should take now to avoid delays or rework

A live Q&A session will follow the discussion.

REGISTER NOW

NEW YORK, April 2, 2026 /3BL/ – Chief Executives for Corporate Purpose® (CECP) today released a new report, Corporate Foundations: Optimizing for Returns, providing the first comprehensive data-driven framework for understanding how corporate foundations deliver value to both society and the business.

Drawing on data from CECP’s Giving in Numbers™ and recent survey insights, the report highlights that corporate foundations have become a staple for leading companies. In a two-decade matched set of companies, 92% maintained at least one corporate foundation. Despite fluctuations due to mergers and acquisitions, these foundations have proven to be an essential tool in companies’ corporate purpose toolbox.

“Optimization for social and business returns does not happen by accident; it requires intention, strategy, and collaboration,” said Leah Battin, Manager, Strategic Advisory at CECP. “This research moves the conversation from assumptions about the value of foundations to actions that bring business value across four key areas: social results, reputation and trust, internal culture, and financial benefits.”

Key Findings for Corporate Leaders:

• Financial and Strategic Resilience: Companies with foundations demonstrate higher financial performance, with median revenue 4% higher and median pre-tax profit (PTP) 37% higher after establishing a foundation. Furthermore, foundations provide consistent community investment during financially volatile periods, according to 62% of leaders.
• A New Regulatory Landscape: Following the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA), companies now face a minimum donation requirement of 1% of taxable income to be eligible for corporate tax deductions. While 37% of leaders say decisions are not driven by tax-deductibility, 46% acknowledge it as a moderately significant factor.
• Internal Culture and Engagement: Foundations are a powerhouse for employee engagement. Companies with foundations see median volunteer hours that are 104% higher than those without. On average, establishing a foundation leads to a 78% increase in volunteer hours and a 55% increase in the number of volunteer programs offered.
• Reputation and Trust: Companies with foundations rank an average of 2.3 places higher on the Axios Harris Reputation 100. They also score significantly higher on metrics of trust, ethics, citizenship, and character.
• Social Impact Superiority: Foundations drive deeper social investment. Data show companies with foundations have a 6% higher median Total Community Investment (TCI) and a 43% higher median matching-gift total than their peers without foundations.

The report also introduces the Corporate Foundation Returns Index, a diagnostic tool for corporate foundation leaders to assess how their strategic decisions—such as geographic footprint and program areas—optimize these specific returns. Currently, 80% of leaders categorize their foundations as either “Impact Drivers” (cross-sector, cross-enterprise initiatives) or “Community Collaborators” (prioritizing specific geographies and/or headquarters) reflecting a strong focus on ecosystem change and business integration of corporate purpose.

CECP utilized a multi-method research approach to identify systemic differences between companies with and without foundations. The core of the study involved a matched-group design, pairing 45 foundation-led companies against a control group of 45 similar peers based on industry, revenue, and headcount. This quantitative analysis was supplemented by 20 years of longitudinal data from CECP’s Giving in Numbers™ and recent CECP Pulse Surveys. Additionally, findings were validated through a questionnaire with 47 corporate foundation leaders and subsequent working groups to refine the report’s Corporate Foundation Returns Index.

CECP Media Contact

Katie Leasor

kleasor@cecp.co

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About Chief Executives for Corporate Purpose (CECP)

Chief Executives for Corporate Purpose® (CECP) is the only nonpartisan business counsel and network dedicated to driving measurable returns on purpose. We promote responsible purpose-driven business as it increases customer loyalty, builds employee engagement, improves brand trust, attracts top talent, connects with strategic investors, and contributes to the bottom line.

More than 200 of the world’s leading companies seek to improve their return on purpose through access to CECP’s solutions in insights and benchmarking. With our companies, we harness the power of purpose for business, stakeholders, and society.

For more information, visit http://cecp.co.

SAN FRANCISCO, April 2, 2026 /3BL/ – Engage for Good today announced three recipients of its 2026 Halo Awards, recognizing leaders who are defining what purpose-driven business looks like, and where it’s headed.

For more than two decades, The Halo Awards have recognized best in class partnerships between corporations and nonprofits. This year EFG is launching three awards recognizing leaders doing the work and this year’s honorees span generations of leadership: a pioneer who helped define corporate purpose, a leader advancing how partnerships operate today, and a rising voice reimagining what comes next. The 2026 Impact Honorees are:

• Lifetime Achievement Award: Carol Cone
• Impact Leader of the Year: Karen Little, PayPal
• Emerging Leader of the Year: Jorge Alvarez, Active Minds

“This year’s leadership honorees reflect the full arc of where our field has been and where it’s going,” said Muneer Panjwani, CEO of Engage for Good. “From those who helped build the foundation of purpose-driven business, to leaders who have strengthened and expanded it through community and strategic partnership, to a new generation bringing fresh energy, cultural fluency, and innovative approaches to the work—each is helping define what leadership in social impact looks like today. Together, they represent a field that is evolving, deepening, and rising to meet a more complex moment.”

Carol Cone: Building the Foundation of Corporate Purpose

“Carol Cone is the architect of the modern corporate purpose movement,” said Panjwani. “Much of what companies now consider standard practice—from partnership strategy to brand integration—can be traced back to her work. She helped move this field from the margins of business to the center of how companies build trust and growth. She didn’t just contribute to this space, she defined and legitimized it.”

Carol Cone, the CEO of Carol Cone on Purpose, built cause marketing into a business strategy today called purpose, founding the nation’s first consultancy in 1983.

• Cone pioneered the process for creating purpose-related programs and codified insights for more than 35 years.
• She formalized the field through over 30 groundbreaking research reports, including the first U.S. consumer cause marketing study in 1993—The Cone/Roper Report—that established cause marketing and purpose-driven strategy as core business practice.
• Cone and her colleagues have created over 150 purpose initiatives, advising some of the world’s leading companies and nonprofits on how to build authentic and lasting campaigns for true business and societal impact.
• She’s channeled $5 billion to social causes by creating award winning, sustainable initiatives, like:
  • American Heart Association Go Red for Women
  • Avon Breast Cancer Crusade
  • Microsoft YouthSpark
  • PNC Grow Up Great
  • Aflac’s My Special Aflac Duck
• Cone launched Purpose 360 in 2018, the podcast focusing on purpose leaders and their inspiring stories from around the globe.
• She’s mentored, along with her colleagues, more than 1,000 young social impact professionals.

“I am deeply honored to receive this recognition from Engage for Good, a community that has inspired and shaped my life’s work,” said Carol Cone. “I’ve watched our field grow from a handful of believers into a movement that proves doing good is not an add-on to business, but its very soul. Through every evolution–cause marketing, shared value, purpose–we’ve shown that compassion and impact are powerful forces for change. Even in challenging times, I believe this truth will only grow stronger: when organizations lead with purpose, they don’t just succeed, they deeply matter to their employees, customers and communities.”

Karen Little: Advancing How Impact Happens in Practice

“Karen’s leadership stands out because of the way she brings people together,” said Panjwani. “She leads with generosity and a genuine commitment to collaboration, elevating those around her and creating space for others to do their best work. That mindset is essential if this field is going to continue to grow and evolve. I cannot think of anyone more deserving of the inaugural Impact Leader of the Year award.”

Karen Little, who leads Rapid Response at PayPal, is being recognized not only for her collaborative and convening spirit, but also for her leadership in shaping the field, her sharp understanding of how to align business priorities with meaningful social outcomes, and designing and mobilizing partnerships that respond to real-world challenges with speed, coordination, and scale. Her balance between rigor and empathy, between strategy and humanity, is what sets her leadership apart. She has helped define what modern social impact can look like: thoughtful, responsive, and grounded in real needs.

• In 2025, she led PayPal’s response to the Los Angeles wildfires, demonstrating how corporate capabilities can be activated quickly to support communities, first responders, and nonprofit partners during times of crisis. She has also helped define and establish best practices in strategic disaster philanthropy and is a thought leader in the space.
• Several years ago, Little founded the Bay Area Social Impact Gathering to create space for meaningful connection and collaboration. What began as a small convening of a dozen peers has grown into a network of more than 250 professionals across the corporate social impact, sustainability, foundation, nonprofit, and consulting sectors.
• She recently served as Co-Chair of the Tech Sector Disaster Working Group, a collaborative corporate initiative that brings together tech leaders to respond to crises and support community recovery more effectively.

“I’m so honored to receive this recognition, thank you,” said Karen Little. “Having spent two decades immersed in this work, I’m continually inspired by the generosity, creativity, and collaboration that define the Engage for Good community. This field has always been a team effort, and I’ve been fortunate to learn from and work alongside people deeply committed to supporting communities in meaningful ways. This recognition reflects not just my journey, but the collective impact we’re building together to show up for people when it matters most.”

Jorge Alvarez: Recognizing the Next Generation of Leadership

“Jorge represents exactly the kind of leadership this field needs more of,” said Panjwani. “He brings together strategy, partnership, and cultural relevance in a way that is both rare and deeply impactful. What makes him stand out is not just his work to advance mental health through corporate partnerships, but how he does it—with rigor, empathy, and a genuine commitment to the communities he serves. We are proud to recognize him as our Emerging Leader of the Year and excited to see how he will shape the corporate impact field in the future.”

Jorge Alvarez, the Senior Manager, Corporate Partnerships & Engagement at Active Minds, is being recognized as a rising leader who is helping to redefine how corporate–nonprofit partnerships are built and scaled. He built and stewarded a growing portfolio of corporate partnerships at Active Minds, driving funder-facing thought leadership strategy and helping position the organization within a rapidly evolving CSR landscape.

• Alvarez advocates for and builds the infrastructure for youth to co-create and lead, with the ultimate goal of ensuring mental health is seen and treated as a civic priority. Through their Youth Leadership Council, he advised MTV Entertainment Studios and Active Minds A.S.K. campaign and digital experience which reached 28M+ people. In 2022, Jorge spoke at The Biden-Harris White House at the Youth Mental Health Action Forum.
• Alvarez was also recognized as a 2023 Young Innovator in Behavioral Health (now the Young Futures Award) by Behavioral Health Tech.
• He serves on the board of directors of Youth MOVE National, extending his commitment to systems change beyond his day-to-day role and into broader movement-building.

“This recognition from Engage for Good is an honor—and I hope it serves as a call to action,” said Jorge Alvarez, Senior Manager, Corporate Partnerships & Engagement at Active Minds. Youth and young adults are eager to lead; they just need organizations, institutions, and allies to listen and respond by equipping them with the tools and resources to lead in the ways that work best for them. At Active Minds, we’re championing a new era of mental health by supporting programs that do exactly that. Being recognized not just for what I’ve accomplished in my role, but for what’s still possible, is a powerful reminder that progress is ongoing — and that meaningful change will continue to be driven by the next generation.”

About the Halo Awards

Now in its 24th year, The Halo Awards are the social impact sector’s longest-running recognition of excellence in corporate–nonprofit partnerships. Past awardees include Google, Procter & Gamble, Big Brothers Big Sisters, Macy’s, The Trevor Project, and more.

All honorees will be recognized at The Halo Awards Gala during the Engage for Good 2026 Conference, April 21–24 in Palm Springs, California. Adyen and Blackbaud are premier sponsors of the conference. It will bring together more than 700 corporate and nonprofit leaders to explore the strategies, partnerships, and innovations shaping the future of social impact.

Registration is open at https://events.engageforgood.com/conference. 

ATLANTA, April 2, 2026 /3BL/ – The Ray is pleased to announce a significant expansion of its long-standing partnership with the Georgia Department of Transportation (GDOT). Following the success of initial trials, a new Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) has been signed to implement dual-purpose habitat and slope stabilization projects across 10 strategic sites in Central, East Central, and West Central Georgia.

This statewide rollout represents a transition from localized research to a scalable infrastructure strategy. By integrating native pollinator habitats—specifically designed to support the Monarch butterfly—into the highway right-of-way, The Ray and GDOT are optimizing public land for both safety and high-performance land management.

Biological Engineering for Roadside Safety

At the core of this 10-site expansion is the use of living infrastructure to solve traditional engineering challenges. One of the primary sites, shared with Kia Georgia at Exit 6, serves as a model for how deep-rooted native vegetation can replace high-maintenance turf to provide:

• Soil Stabilization: Native grasses and wildflowers develop complex root architectures that anchor the soil more effectively than shallow-rooted turf, reducing the risk of erosion and slope failure on steep embankments.
• Maintenance Cost Savings: By establishing self-sustaining habitats, GDOT can reduce the frequency of mechanical mowing and chemical herbicide applications, resulting in significant long-term operational savings.
• Pollution Filtration: These “working landscapes” act as natural buffers, capturing and filtering road runoff before it leaves the transportation corridor.

A Model for Inter-Agency Cooperation

The signing of this MOA is a testament to the collaborative vision of leadership of both The Ray and GDOT, namely Andrew Heath and the GDOT’s State Maintenance Office. This multi-district approach ensures that the benefits of natural capital are distributed statewide, creating a system of high-performance roadsides that strengthens and stabilizes our physical transportation network.

“The Ray is dedicated to proving that the roadside can do more than move vehicles, said Josh Weaver, Natural Capital Manager for The Ray. “By scaling these 10 sites with GDOT, we are demonstrating a sophisticated approach to asset management that prioritizes both the integrity of our infrastructure and the health of our local ecosystems.”

Planting for the Future

Work on these sites is already underway, with a focus on preparing the soil for native seed mixes calibrated to Georgia’s climate and soil types. These sites will not only serve as a refuge for endangered pollinators but also function as “living laboratories” where The Ray can continue to gather data on the economic and mechanical advantages of biological roadside management.

As these 10 sites take hold across the state, they will provide a roadmap for other DOTs nationwide to transform underutilized rights-of-way into high-value, resilient infrastructure assets.

Stay tuned as we track the progress of these sites from the initial seeding to full bloom. Let’s drive the future together.

Media Contact:

Dallen McLemore: dallen@theray.org 229-449-6168

With nearly 40% of carbon emissions coming from the built environment, the construction industry is building and renovating more and more sustainably. With innovative solutions and new construction methods, we have a whole new vocabulary that this podcast is going to decipher for you!

To meet the challenges of productivity and growing environmental demands in the construction sector, Lean Construction is emerging as a solution for the future. Inspired by industrial methods, this approach aims to optimize construction processes by eliminating waste and improving coordination between stakeholders. What’s revolutionary about this way of designing and implementing projects? Let’s find out. 

Listen here, L…for Lean Construction, a Saint-Gobain Podcast

About Saint-Gobain

Worldwide leader in light and sustainable construction, Saint-Gobain designs, manufactures and distributes materials and services adapted to the residential, non-residential and infrastructure markets. Its integrated and innovative solutions provide sustainability, performance and well-being for its customers. The Group is guided by its purpose, “MAKING THE WORLD A BETTER HOME”.

€46.5 billion in sales in 2025
162,000 employees, locations in 80 countries
Committed to achieving net zero carbon emissions by 2050

For more information about Saint-Gobain, visit www.saint-gobain.com and follow us on X @saintgobain

Water sustains life. It also sustains global trade.

From the rivers that feed agricultural production to the oceans that carry 80% of global trade, water is the connective infrastructure of the global economy. Yet it is increasingly under pressure – from climate change and pollution to population growth and rising demand. For global logistics leaders, protecting water resources is not simply an environmental responsibility. It is a strategic imperative.

At DP World, water stewardship sits at the heart of our sustainability strategy because resilient supply chains depend on resilient ecosystems and thriving communities.

From Ports to Planet: A System-Level View of Water

Ports, terminals and logistics hubs exist where land and water meet. This unique position gives the trade sector a powerful opportunity – and responsibility – to protect freshwater and marine ecosystems.

DP World approaches water sustainability through a “source-to-sea” framework, recognizing that rivers, wetlands, coastlines and oceans are deeply interconnected. Sustainable management upstream affects ecosystems downstream, influencing biodiversity, water quality and coastal resilience.

By taking a holistic view, businesses can address water challenges at their root rather than treating them as isolated environmental issues.

Why Water Is a Business Imperative

The global economy depends on water far more than many realize.

Water underpins sectors responsible for around 40% of global jobs, including agriculture, fishing and tourism. At the same time, the majority of global trade moves by sea.

But the world faces a growing water crisis:

• Half of the global population already experiences severe water scarcity.
• Water-related health challenges cause hundreds of thousands of deaths each year.
• Rising sea levels and extreme weather increasingly threaten coastal infrastructure and communities.

These risks affect not only ecosystems but also supply chains, workforce wellbeing and economic stability.

For companies operating at the intersection of trade and infrastructure, water resilience is inseparable from long-term business resilience.

Turning Commitment into Action

DP World’s water strategy focuses on three interconnected priorities: protecting ecosystems, improving operational water stewardship and expanding access to safe water in communities.

1. Protecting ecosystems and biodiversity

Healthy ecosystems are natural infrastructure. Mangroves, wetlands and estuaries filter pollution, stabilize coastlines and store carbon.

On Puná Island in Ecuador, DP World is working with partners to plant thousands of mangrove seedlings – helping restore marine biodiversity while strengthening natural coastal defenses.

Similar projects protect waterways from plastic pollution and restore wetlands that act as vital ecological buffers.

2. Driving responsible water management in operations

Across its global operations, DP World is implementing a Sustainable Water Conservation and Management Strategy designed to reduce consumption, improve efficiency and safeguard water quality.

Embedding stewardship principles into operations ensures that growth in global trade can occur alongside responsible resource management.

3. Expanding access to water, sanitation and hygiene

Access to clean water remains one of the most urgent global challenges.

DP World is investing in Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) programmes aimed at improving community access to safe water systems. By 2030, the company plans to invest over $5 million in WASH initiatives reaching more than 250,000 people worldwide.

Projects range from solar-powered water systems in healthcare centres in Mozambique to atmospheric water generators and infrastructure upgrades in water-stressed regions.

Collaboration Is the Only Path Forward

Water challenges cannot be solved by any single organization.

That is why DP World works with partners ranging from NGOs to international initiatives, including WaterAid and the Water Resilience Coalition. Through collaboration, companies can scale solutions that strengthen climate resilience, restore ecosystems and improve water access for communities.

Equally important is education and engagement. Empowering employees, communities and schools with knowledge about water stewardship ensures that sustainable practices extend far beyond individual projects.

Building a Sustainable Blue Economy

Water stewardship is closely linked to the broader vision of a Sustainable Blue Economy – an economic system where ocean resources are managed responsibly while supporting growth and livelihoods.

By protecting marine ecosystems, reducing pollution and investing in resilient infrastructure, businesses can help ensure that trade continues to thrive without compromising the natural systems that make it possible.

The Opportunity Ahead

The global water challenge is immense, but it is also an opportunity.

Companies that invest in water resilience today are investing in stronger supply chains, healthier communities and a more stable global economy tomorrow.

For the logistics sector, leadership means looking beyond the dockside and recognizing that the future of trade depends on the future of water.

And protecting that future must be a shared commitment—from source to sea.

Learn more here: https://www.dpworld.com/sustainability/water

 

What are DP World’s water sustainability and conservation strategies?

DP World actively advances water sustainability by targeting a net positive impact by 2030. Through enhancing sustainable water management, encouraging reuse, and supporting ecosystem restoration, we align with global water goals.

Why is water sustainability important at DP World?

Water sustainability is a priority at DP World to safeguard essential natural resources. By focusing on sustainable water management, we strengthen business resilience and support global communities, aligning with UN SDG 6.

How does DP World help maintain water sustainability?

DP World leads in water sustainability by investing in efficient technologies, developing resilient infrastructure, and fostering community partnerships. We improve access to clean water and educate communities on sustainable water practices.

How does DP World’s water conservation projects help the environment?

Our water conservation projects at DP World, including mangrove planting, wetland restoration, and solar water systems, enhance water quality and ecosystem resilience, while benefiting biodiversity and the communities we operate in.

 

Learn more here: https://www.dpworld.com/sustainability/water

The KeyBank Foundation has awarded a $200,000 grant to Capital for Change, a Connecticut‑based Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI), to expand affordable housing, small business lending, and community development initiatives across the state.

The investment is part of a nationwide KeyBank initiative focused on strengthening CDFIs in underserved and undercapitalized communities, helping drive long‑term economic stability and inclusive growth.

Strengthening affordable housing and economic opportunity

Founded in 2016, Capital for Change is headquartered in Wallingford, Connecticut, and was established to deliver comprehensive community development lending throughout the state. The organization focuses on supporting affordable housing development, small business growth, and neighborhood revitalization.

The KeyBank Foundation grant will enable Capital for Change to scale its lending capacity and expand access to capital for projects, particularly in communities vulnerable to economic disruption.

“We are proud to invest in organizations that share our mission of creating lasting, positive change in the communities we serve,” said Matt Hummel, President, Connecticut & Massachusetts Market, KeyBank. “This grant celebrates Capital for Change’s efforts to promote economic empowerment, business growth, and financial stability in Connecticut’s neighborhoods.”

Supporting underserved communities across Connecticut

With KeyBank’s support, Capital for Change will deepen its impact across urban and rural communities by addressing long‑standing gaps in access to financing for affordable housing and community‑based development projects.

“KeyBank’s support allows us to expand affordable housing, strengthen small businesses, and ensure that underserved communities have access to the capital they need to thrive,” said Diane Smith, CEO of Capital for Change. “This grant helps accelerate our mission of building equitable, resilient neighborhoods across Connecticut.”

Part of a nationwide KeyBank community development commitment

The $200,000 grant to Capital for Change is part of KeyBank’s broader commitment to invest $200,000 in community development efforts across each of its 27 markets nationwide. In total, the initiative represents $5.4 million in funding dedicated to strengthening local economies and advancing equitable access to opportunity.

These grants provide flexible funding to CDFIs and community foundations, supporting activities such as:

• Expanding community lending programs
• Enhancing organizational infrastructure
• Scaling services to reach underserved populations
• Driving long‑term sustainability and economic impact

Together, the investments reflect KeyBank’s enduring legacy of service, resilience, and community partnership, reinforcing its role as a leader in community development finance and inclusive economic growth.

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“Beyond Words” is a story of kindness, empathy and friendship, teaching readers of all ages to express compassion without needing to say a word. The book follows Buddy as he discovers how to support a friend coming home from the hospital.

If you have a friend or loved one in need, it can be difficult to figure out what to do or say. Whether they have received a diagnosis, are recovering from an accident or are facing another kind of need, you want to support them in a truly helpful way, but perhaps you’re not sure how.

In honor of Children’s Book Day, read below to get some tips on how you can reach out to someone in your life — of any age — who might need a helping hand that goes beyond words.

Reach out and listen to what your loved one says in return

As overwhelming as it can be to figure out what to say, simply reaching out is a great way to start. Whether it’s a phone call, a text or a fun, handwritten card, they need a reminder that they aren’t alone. Health concerns can be scary and isolating for everyone, but especially for a younger person. It’s also important to just listen. Your loved one could be feeling a wide range of emotions right now, not all of which are comfortable or have answers.

Instead of focusing all the feelings on one conversation, try having steady communication about their health.¹ That way, it’s less overwhelming for them and for you. It also allows them time to find the words for what they’re feeling and takes into account that feelings change over time. However often you have the conversation, make sure to be honest. A truthful, genuine conversation might also help a child — or any loved one — feel as though they are being heard and supported.¹

Take on a few items on their to-do list

When the time comes for action, that can be confusing, too. Where do you start?

For the adults in your life who are working with changes in their health, think of their to-do list. From taking care of the laundry, running errands like grocery shopping or getting their car detailed, to walking their pup, the important thing is helping to take a bit of the load off their backs. You can also make it a group effort.² Reach out to other friends and family members and get a schedule or a list going. That way, you can avoid burnout yourself, and you can also remind your loved one that they have a whole community rallying behind them.

For friends of any age, it’s important to continue to make them feel included in social settings.³ If they’re up to it, invite them out somewhere, whether it’s going to see a movie, heading to the mall or just taking a walk in the park. Don’t make an assumption about what they are capable of doing. Reach out and see what they would like to do.

Give the gifts they really need

Apart from your time, people dealing with health issues could also use simple, practical gifts. It doesn’t have to be anything big, whether in actual size or price tag. A pair of fuzzy slipper socks, a fluffy blanket or a comfortable bathrobe can bring them literal, tangible comfort at a time when they need it the most.

Kids especially might rely on toys or games at this time. Offer a fidget toy to keep their hands and minds busy, or some slime or silly putty to enable them to be creative without using up a lot of energy. Grab a coloring book and some markers when a more relaxing, slow-paced activity is required.⁴

You can also make it personal by making a basket of their favorite snacks, along with a book by an author they like, lotion or a scented candle in their favorite scent, or a journal so they have a safe space to vent their feelings. Whatever you offer, these simple little gifts can serve as a reminder that you’re thinking of them.

How ‘Beyond Words’ can help

“Beyond Words” is a great way to explore meaningful ways to show love and compassion without saying a word. If you’re interested in joining Buddy and his friends on their intergalactic adventures, it’s easy to grab a copy — visit Amazon or buy directly from the publisher, Archway. Just visit Aflac.com/BeyondWords to get started.

Proceeds from the book go directly to fund childhood cancer and blood disorders research and treatment. To learn more, and to find out other ways you can help, visit AflacChildhoodCancer.org.

¹ Gillette Children’s (2026) “How to talk to your child about their diagnosis” https://www.gillettechildrens.org/stories/talk-about-diagnosis

² Archbold (2025) “How to Support a Loved One with Cancer: Practical Tips That Really Help” https://www.archbold.org/articles/2025/may/how-to-support-a-loved-one-with-cancer-practical/

³ Rare Disease (Dec. 2025) “Inclusivity and Rare Diseases: 6 Things for Friends and Family to Consider” https://raredisease.net/living/inclusivity

⁴ Zip With Us (April 15, 2025) “What to Send When a Child Is Diagnosed: Age-Appropriate Gifts That Truly Help” https://zipwithus.org/blogs/news/what-to-send-when-a-child-is-diagnosed-age-appropriate-gifts-that-truly-help#:~:text=Activity%20Kits:%20Think%20coloring%20books,help%20kids%20understand%20what’s%20happening.

Aflac | Aflac NY | WWHQ | 1932 Wynnton Road | Columbus, GA 31999

Z2600143 
Exp. 3/27

Key Takeaways Combatting Home Modality Loss: To help address the 30% of patients who leave peritoneal dialysis (PD)— a home treatment option — within two years of starting treatment, DaVita developed and deployed a predictive AI model that supports clinical teams in identifying patients needs to sustain home dialysis. Closing the Visibility Gap: DaVita’s connected cyclers and CWOW system provide care teams with consistent patient updates and data to support adjusted care plans and tailored interventions before complications arise. Seamless Transitions: When a transition off peritoneal dialysis is necessary, DaVita’s PD-to-HHD pathway enables and empowers patients to transition to home hemodialysis (HHD) in a mean of 6 days. “Clinical teams now have better visibility into home treatments, equipping teams with insight on how to address issues before they escalate.” — Dr. Mihran Naljayan

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For approximately 80,000 Americans, home dialysis offers a sense of normalcy and stability amid many changes that inevitably come with a diagnosis of kidney failure. Home dialysis includes both peritoneal dialysis (PD) and home hemodialysis (HHD), differentiated options that allow patients to complete treatments with greater schedule flexibility. This not only provides a greater sense of control over treatment but also reduces the need for frequent trips to dialysis centers, giving patients time back to pursue employment, education, time with loved ones and personal hobbies.

Supporting patients with home treatments and sustaining success on therapy, like PD, requires a vigilant and proactive approach from care teams:

“Sustaining success on home dialysis requires true partnership with our patients,” Mihran Naljayan, MD, chief medical officer of clinical transformation, home and pediatric modalities for DaVita, says. “We must work hand-in-hand with patients to support their well-being and their success on their treatment of choice.”

Data from the National Institutes of Health show that home dialysis has steadily expanded during the past 10 years. In 2012, less than 9% of patients with newly diagnosed kidney failure chose home dialysis. By 2023, that statistic had increased to almost 15%.

“Impressive as that trend is, home dialysis would have expanded even more rapidly if patients were able to dialyze at home for a longer duration,” explains Eric Weinhandl, PhD, an epidemiologist at DaVita who has published dozens of studies about home dialysis. “Within two years of starting PD, more than 30% have transferred to in-center hemodialysis, whether because of medical complications or psychosocial obstacles, including a sense of burnout.”¹

Complicating matters is that the transfer from PD to in-center hemodialysis is often accompanied by hospitalization.²  Weinhandl says, “Historically, we may have been too reactive, not proactive, when patients were struggling the most with home dialysis.”

Now, advances in artificial intelligence (AI) are providing clinicians with powerful new tools to support their patients. Kidney care leader DaVita has developed a predictive model that leverages machine learning to help clinical teams recognize and anticipate patient needs before they become critical problems.

The tool, known as the PD Loss predictive model, extracts hundreds of variables from a patient’s health record and creates a list of individuals each week who are at relatively high risk of discontinuing PD therapy during the next 90 days.³ This report helps care teams understand when people need extra support as well as why someone has been flagged as higher risk for transitioning off PD.

When a patient is identified, the system can suggest specific interventions, such as a medication review or a consultation with a specialist. The model doesn’t dictate care, though. Rather, it offers evidence-backed insights to inform care. Based on this feedback and interactions with the patients, nurses can tailor care activities with data-driven insights.

“When nurses initiate interventions within 5 days of a patient being identified as high-risk, we see that patients have approximately 15% lower risk of transferring to in-center hemodialysis during the next 2 to 3 months,” explains Weinhandl based on internal data from DaVita.

Keeping Care Close When Dialyzing from Home

What’s driving the availability of new technology? Data.

In the past, patients recorded treatments on paper and delivered this information to their care team when they saw them — often monthly. Now, at-home devices are helping close the gap between the home and the dialysis center.

At DaVita, the majority of patients treating on PD or HHD use connected cyclers — the machines that perform treatment — that record and integrate treatment data into their clinical profile within DaVita’s cloud-based platform, Center Without Walls™ (CWOW™).⁴

This gives care teams unprecedented visibility into what’s happening with a patient’s health while treating at home, tracking everything from treatment adherence to fluid removal trends.

“The physiologic and lifestyle benefits of home dialysis are readily apparent,” Dr. Naljayan says. “Historically, it has been difficult for the physician to manage the home dialysis treatment regimen in a timely manner, given once-a-month updates about blood pressure and fluid removal. Connected cyclers change that. Clinical teams now have better visibility into home treatments, equipping teams with insight on how to address issues before they escalate.”

Supporting Patients Through Their Kidney Health Journey

This data stream can also help clinical caregivers create pathways for safer, more thoughtful patient care journeys. This includes supporting DaVita teammates (employees) as they empower home dialysis patients in their “PD to HHD” pathway. This pathway helps identify PD patients who have one or more well-established risk factors for transfer to hemodialysis and provides education about HHD, a therapy that can allow the patient to continue dialyzing at home if the efficacy of PD eventually diminishes.

In a Kidney360 study published in 2022, Weinhandl reported that only 3% of patients who transfer from PD to hemodialysis select HHD. By flagging these patients early, care teams can provide enhanced education and proactive planning, whether it includes education, training, or helping the patient get a fistula (a dialysis access) placed if needed.

A pilot study of DaVita’s “PD to HHD” education process, presented at the 2025 National Kidney Foundation Spring Clinical Meeting, demonstrated a significant increase of people transitioning to HHD when PD was no longer an option. The study also highlighted that early education helped patients start HHD quickly, with a mean transition of just 6 days and the majority of patients making the transition without needing in-center hemodialysis.⁵

“We remain focused on supporting patients on their treatment of choice,” Dr. Naljayan adds. “Harnessing the power of predictive analytics and real-time data, we are building a more connected care ecosystem. The simple reality is that home dialysis requires effort, but that effort can unlock huge upsides. Our mission at DaVita is to share the load of that effort exerted by patients and their families.”

By combining the vast analytical power of AI with the irreplaceable expertise of clinicians, healthcare providers can create a more responsive, personalized and sustainable system of care that helps patients manage their health from their preferred environment: at home.

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Service provider and modality select are choices made exclusively between the patient and nephrologist.

[1] United States Renal Data System. 2025 USRDS Annual Data Report: Epidemiology of kidney disease in the United States. Figure 3.11a, National Institutes of Health, National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, Bethesda, MD, 2025.

[2] Weinhandl, Eric D.1,2; Saffer, Tonya L.3; Aragon, Michael3. Hidden Costs Associated with Conversion from Peritoneal Dialysis to Hemodialysis. Kidney360 3(5):p 883-890, May 26, 2022. | DOI: 10.34067/KID.0007692021

[3] Transplant and renal recovery losses are not included in or predicted by the model, and these modality losses account for positive loss reasons to be encouraged. This flag is a tool to assist in identifying patients who may change modality within 90 days and RNs should use their clinical license to interpret if a patient is at risk of leaving their modality of choice. The RN should tie in the nephrologist and entire care team as needed and document interventions recorded. Service provider and modality selection are choices made exclusively between the patient and nephrologist.

[4] While connected cycler data can sometimes be impacted by malfunctions or patient user error, the data is one of several valuable sources of patient treatment completion that should be analyzed alongside patient submitted treatment records and clinic visit conversations.

[5] Increase in Conversions from Peritoneal Dialysis to Home Hemodialysis: A Pilot Study of a Structured Education Process; AJKD NKF 2025 Spring Clinical Meetings Abstracts

LINCOLN, Neb., April 2, 2026 /3BL/ – For a second consecutive year, Assurant, Inc. (NYSE: AIZ), a premier global protection company that safeguards and services connected devices, homes, and automobiles in partnership with the world’s leading brands — is collaborating with AT&T (NYSE: T) in a “Tree for Trade-In” initiative to support the Arbor Day Foundation’s ongoing forest restoration efforts in wildfire-impacted areas of California.

Launched on April 1 and running through the end of the month, every phone, tablet or device traded-in to AT&T online or -in-store will support the planting of a tree in the Placerville Nursery for California Wildfire Reforestation, the only forest service nursery in the state. This year’s “Tree for Trade-In” initiative will result in the planting of another 75,000 new trees at the Placerville Nursery, bringing the campaign’s total trees planted to 150,000 over the past two years. The trees that are planted through this project will later be transplanted into the forests and communities devastated by the January 2025 Los Angeles-area wildfires, supporting the restoration of these critical ecosystems and preserving California’s natural landscapes for future generations.

“This collaboration is helping accelerate critical restoration efforts in California by turning everyday consumer actions into long‑term environmental impact,” said Dan Lambe, chief executive of the Arbor Day Foundation. “Wildfire recovery efforts are a long‑term commitment, and projects like this help ensure that we can hit the ground running when these landscapes are ready. Thanks to the continued support from Assurant and AT&T, thousands of new trees are being grown at the Placerville Nursery and prepared for replanting in ecosystems that were severely burned, helping strengthen forest resilience and support communities as they recover.”

Assurant supports this initiative by helping ensure that traded-in devices returned by AT&T customers are securely processed and repurposed or responsibly recycled. The trade-in initiative supports circularity by repurposing devices to extend their useful life and responsibly recycling those that reach end of life.

“This initiative demonstrates how we support communities impacted by wildfires through our product offerings, our Assurant Foundation and our sustainability commitments,” said Michael Bellantis, Vice President of Sustainability at Assurant. “Our efforts with AT&T and the Arbor Day Foundation brings sustainability to life through trusted collaboration—showing how aligned priorities across the value chain can strengthen community resilience and create lasting environmental impact.”

In addition to these campaign efforts, AT&T commemorated the anniversary of the 2025 Los Angeles wildfires earlier this year by engaging local employee volunteers in a community tree planting event on the campus of a local Title I elementary school that was directly located in the Altadena burn area. Dozens of trees were planted to help provide much-needed shade during the warmer months, all while also creating a more natural and calming learning environment for students throughout the year.

“Our Tree for Trade-In initiative with the Arbor Day Foundation and Assurant highlights what we can accomplish when we work together,” said Mylayna Albright, Vice President of Corporate Responsibility at AT&T. “Building on more than 20 years of work with the Arbor Day Foundation, our collaborative community engagement and reforestation efforts have helped plant more than 1.3 million trees—supporting disaster recovery and long-term restoration in areas affected by wildfires and other events.”

About Assurant

Assurant, Inc. (NYSE: AIZ) is a premier global protection company that partners with the world’s leading brands to safeguard and service connected devices, homes, and automobiles. As a Fortune 500 company operating in 21 countries, Assurant leverages data-driven technology solutions to provide exceptional customer experiences.

Learn more about how Assurant is integrating sustainability into its business at https://www.assurant.com/about-us/sustainability.

About AT&T

We help more than 100 million U.S. families, friends and neighbors, plus nearly 2.5 million businesses, connect to greater possibility. From the first phone call 140+ years ago to our 5G wireless and multi-gig internet offerings today, we @ATT innovate to improve lives. For more information about AT&T Inc. (NYSE:T), please visit us at about.att.com. Investors can learn more at investors.att.com.

About the Arbor Day Foundation

The Arbor Day Foundation is a global nonprofit inspiring people to plant, nurture, and celebrate trees. They foster a growing community of more than 1 million leaders, innovators, planters, and supporters united by their bold belief that a more hopeful future can be shaped through the power of trees. For more than 50 years, they’ve answered critical need with action, planting more than half a billion trees alongside their partners. And this is only the beginning.

The Arbor Day Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit pursuing a future where all life flourishes through the power of trees. Learn more at arborday.org.

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