Tag: 3BL

Safeway participated in the opening ceremony of Divert’s innovative new Diversion and Energy facility in Turlock, California. This cutting-edge facility represents a significant advancement in the fight against food waste, enabling the recovery of edible food for those in need and converting unsold products into renewable energy to power local communities.

In collaboration with Divert, Safeway is committed to reducing food waste and increasing food recovery in its stores. This partnership enhances Safeway’s ability to serve customers while supporting local food banks and hunger relief organizations, creating more opportunities to nourish neighbors in need.

The event saw enthusiastic participation from Safeway’s local division staff and the Albertsons Companies Recipe for Change team, who came together to support this impactful initiative. Additionally, Safeway donated products for the event, benefiting the Alameda County Community Food Bank.

See original post on LinkedIn and read more about Albertsons Companies and our Recipe for Change on our website.

Verizon

Chahd Ourhani, an eighth grader at Joseph H. Brensinger PS 17 in Jersey City, New Jersey, moved around her math classroom, tablet in hand, working with her classmates on a lesson about the concept of slope. Nothing about this lesson — taught on a tablet using augmented reality (AR) — was traditional, and for Chahd, that was a definite plus. Pen and paper lessons had never helped her grasp the idea of slope before. “Doing it more interactively with AR this year, I just took in the information better,” Chahd explains. “When it’s more hands-on, it just makes more sense to me.”

This level of engagement and comprehension is exactly what Jack Maher, a math teacher at the school, hopes for. When it comes to getting his middle school students engaged and excited about learning, Maher knows there’s nothing like breaking out technology, whether it’s gamifying learning or using VR and AR, to get middle schoolers interested; So Maher takes advantage of free, online resources at Verizon Innovative Learning HQ to easily integrate technology into his lessons.

Maher also appreciates how students can experience the practical application of their new knowledge through the use of their tablets. “I think it really enhances their learning to be able to relate it to real-life situations,” he says.

“Doing it more interactively with AR this year, I just took in the information better…When it’s more hands-on, it just makes more sense to me.”

Chahd Ourhani

For the slope lesson, Maher led the class in a discussion on how to measure a line’s steepness, then had the students apply that concept using the McGraw Hill AR app in a real-world situation: They designed ski slopes and skateboarding ramps, and watched to see if virtual skiers and skateboarders could handle their slopes, or if they floundered. “[Students] were able to…design ramps in which the slope was calculated back and forth, higher or lower, and able to make sure that the skateboarder was able to get over from one side of the ramp to the other,” Maher explains.

That hands-on design really drove the lesson home for Ourhani. “I am going to think about slope the next time I skateboard,” she says. “You’re just going up and down all those ribs and hills, and now it makes sense how all that stuff is possible.”

Verizon Innovative Learning HQ offers more than 450 tech-based, turn-key lessons from trusted educational partners such as McGraw Hill, Discovery Education, and Arizona State University, in core curriculum subjects such as geography and biology, as well as emergent tech lessons on artificial intelligence and cybersecurity, among others. Educators can also find VR and AR apps and professional development resources. The education portal is open to all educators at no cost, and with no other participation in Verizon programs required.

Verizon Innovative Learning is a key part of the company’s responsible business plan to help move the world forward for all. As part of the plan, Verizon has an ambitious goal of providing 10 million youth with digital skills training by 2030. Educators can access free lessons, professional development, and immersive learning experiences to help bring new ways of learning into the classroom by visiting Verizon Innovative Learning HQ.

The incoming administration in 2025 is poised to significantly influence Environment, Health, and Safety (EHS) regulations and sustainability efforts for businesses and workplaces, both domestically and globally. As political priorities shift with the change in leadership, the progressive strides in sustainability observed during the Biden administration may be reassessed. The following outlines the anticipated impacts from an EHS perspective.

Energy Transition 

In Trump’s victory speech after the presidential election, he discussed the vast oil and natural gas reserves in the US. According to Trump’s campaign, his goal during his second term will be to boost fossil-fuel production and roll back green regulations that currently hinder oil and gas drilling and coal mining, all in a bid to lower energy prices. All of this is happening in the midst of what will be the hottest year on record. With growing public advocacy, active climate groups, and more stakeholders engaging on social media, companies can no longer overlook the push for energy transition and the increasing demand for renewable fuels.

According to NPR, “A second Trump administration will not be able to stop the country’s transition to cleaner sources of energy, analysts and activists say. Costs for a lot of those technologies are falling fast. Companies are under pressure from their customers and investors to deal with climate change. And states led by Democrats and Republicans alike are reaping economic benefits from new factories and power plants that have received government support.”

“There is no denying that another Trump presidency will stall national efforts to tackle the climate crisis and protect the environment, but most U.S. state, local, and private sector leaders are committed to charging ahead,” Dan Lashof, U.S. director of the World Resources Institute, said in a statement. “And you can count on a chorus of world leaders confirming that they won’t turn their back on climate and nature goals.”

BBC reported: “With energy watchdog the International Energy Agency reporting that global investment in clean technology is running at double the size of coal, oil and gas in 2024, the new U.S. administration might not want to drive this type of green investment into other, more eager countries.”

Environmental Protections and Climate Efforts 

Based on his first term, it is likely that Trump will again try to reduce the size of the Environmental Protection Agency. During his first term, he included in a budget proposal a 31 percent cut to EPA’s funding, as well as a cap on the number of employees at 11,611. While this ultimately was not approved by Congress, he repeatedly campaigned on his desire to dismantle federal agencies, as well as his desire to reissue an executive order that reclassifies some career government workers to make it easier to fire them. Both proposals, if enacted, could affect the EPA’s staffing and its ability to complete work.

Trump is also expected to end the pause on permitting new liquefied natural gas exports to big markets in Asia and Europe and revoke a waiver that allows California and other states to have tighter pollution standards, according to a report published in Reuters.

Trump’s pick for head of the EPA, Lee Zeldin, told Fox News that he will pull back “left-wing” regulations and focus on “unleashing economic prosperity” through the agency, according to CNN news.

There are also expectations for change on how the U.S. will engage with global efforts to fight climate change under the Trump administration. In his first term, he pulled out of the Paris Climate Agreement, which requires countries to pledge how much they will cut back on pollution leading to climate warming. Nearly all countries, 195 in total, are part of the agreement which went into force in 2016. Based on comments from his campaign in June and his actions during his first term, it is expected he will pull the U.S. out of the Agreement again, and it may even be one of the first things he does in office.

With COP29 having just ended in Azerbaijan, some view the election results as a significant setback. This comes at a critical time, as discussions on climate funding are ongoing, with the aim of raising funds for developing countries that are most impacted. While they did come to an agreement on a $300 billion fund for these most affected countries, having a key player such as the US not invested could impact future commitments.

In addition, an International Chamber of Commerce recently released report estimated that between 2014 and 2023, climate-related extreme weather events caused approximately $2 trillion in damage worldwide. This economic impact is comparable to the financial losses experienced during the 2008 global financial crisis. This further emphasizes the urgent need for decisive action on climate change, highlighting the costly consequences of inaction.

Finally, progress at the state-level has moved forward, and likely will continue to do so regardless of who holds the White House. For example, California has advanced its climate disclosure agenda with Senate Bill (SB) 261. This law requires companies doing business in California with revenues above $500 million to disclose greenhouse gas emissions and climate risks, with the first climate-related risk disclosures to be published by January 1, 2026.

Meanwhile, several other states, including Illinois, New York, and Washington, have proposed similar laws. As the SEC’s climate disclosure rule remains under legal review, state-level regulations, like California’s, have become the primary compliance focus for U.S. companies, particularly those also subject to international frameworks such as the EU’s Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD). These changes underline the need for businesses to prepare for stringent and overlapping reporting obligations, regardless of what the White House does or doesn’t do.

Health and Safety in the Workplace 

As we think about workplace impacts under the new Trump administration, proposed mass deportations could have substantial impacts on labor and workplaces, particularly in manufacturing facilities.

We could also see a rollback of LGBTQ rights and discrimination policies impacting workers’ rights. Trump has called for rolling back DEI (diversity, equity and inclusion) programs in government institutions.

With workplace violence on the rise, there is a concern around gun-safety policies which could be revoked, or we may see an effort to roll back background checks. There could also be rollbacks of OSHA standards, inspections, or penalties for workplace safety violations in an effort to make it less burdensome for businesses to operate.

Supply Chain Impacts 

The new administration has also discussed heavy tariffs on major imports from outside the US, including solar and electric vehicles from China, further complicating the environmental landscape.

While this could provide a boost to domestic manufacturing of electric vehicles and clean energy components, in the short term it means the least expensive alternative technologies in the world (from China) will be more expensive and could discourage and delay adoption.

This is already having a ripple effect on imports with retailers and manufacturers who are trying to “front load” imports knowing these taxations may be coming. According to Lars Jensen, CEO of Vespucci Maritime, in the short-term there will be a surge in import demand for containerized goods as U.S. companies stock up ahead of any new tariffs. “Especially related to goods which are not time sensitive”, said Jensen, from CNBC article on the impact in the supply chain.

Three Tips for Preparing for and Navigating the Change in Administrations 

While many potential changes are on the horizon, there are some things organizations can do to prepare for it all. Consider the following tips:

1. Track Multiple Jurisdictional Levels

Monitor state-level regulations, which may become more important if federal oversight decreases (such as California’s Climate Laws).Track local requirements that could become more stringent to counter federal rollbacks.Pay attention to international standards affecting global operations/supply chains (such as the EU’s CSRD).

2. Focus on Business-Driven Environmental & Safety Programs

Tie EHS and sustainability initiatives to business value rather than just regulatory compliance.Consider consumer demands, investor expectations, and supply chain requirements which may press for action despite changes in regulations and standards.Remember that many companies have maintained active EHS and sustainability programs during previous deregulation due to stakeholder pressure and simple business value.

3. Strengthen Stakeholder Management

Maintain strong relationships with regulators at all levels.Engage with industry groups to stay informed of sector-wide responses.

Looking Forward 

The encouraging news is that many companies have already embraced climate action as a core part of their strategy, recognizing both the environmental and economic benefits of sustainable practices. Across industries, businesses are setting ambitious goals, investing in renewable energy, and adopting eco-friendly technologies, regardless of government mandates.

This momentum reflects a strong commitment to addressing climate change that goes beyond political shifts. Forward-thinking companies understand that sustainability isn’t just a trend—it’s an essential investment in a resilient future. So, while the presidential office may change, the dedication to building a greener, more sustainable world is here to stay.

We will continue to monitor the landscape as we move closer to the new administration and prepare our clients for changes to come.

December 12, 2024 /3BL/ – T. Rowe Price, a global investment management firm and a leader in retirement, celebrates its recognition on local, national, and global scales as an exemplary workplace. Recent accolades from Newsweek, Pensions & Investments, Energage, and The Baltimore Sun affirm T. Rowe Price’s enduring commitment to a people-first culture shaped by trust and collaboration.

“At T. Rowe Price, our associates can grow and make a difference in ways that matter to them,” said Michelle Swanenburg, head of Human Resources at T. Rowe Price. “These accolades reflect the variety of resources that support our associates on their career path, benefits, and flexibility, so work fits in with life overall. We’re honored by these recognitions because they reflect the care we put into building an inclusive, respectful culture where people truly belong. When our associates are happy and supported, they do their best work. That commitment to excellence benefits our clients and drives our overall success as a company.”

This month, T. Rowe Price earned awards in its headquarter city of Baltimore and on a national scale.

Pensions & Investments “Best Places to Work in Money Management”: Recognizing organizations that excel in creating supportive and rewarding environments for employees within the financial industry.The Baltimore Sun “Top Workplaces”: Recognizing the Baltimore metro area’s best employers based on research-backed surveys.

In addition, throughout 2024, T. Rowe Price earned several prestigious workplace awards that speak to its dedication to fostering a positive and inclusive culture. Highlights include:

Newsweek’s “World’s Most Trustworthy Companies”: Awarded based on a survey of more than 70,000 participants in 23 industries spanning 20 countries. Companies were rated on three main public pillars of trust: customer trust, investor trust, and employee trust.Newsweek’s “America’s Most Admired Workplaces 2025”: T. Rowe Price was one of 400 companies across the U.S. to be recognized. The list is based on a survey of more than 250,000 U.S. employees and over 1.5 million collected company reviews.Energage “Top Workplaces Culture Excellence”: Awarded for employee appreciation, employee well-being, and professional development, surveying and celebrating people-first organizations nationally and across 60 regional markets.

These accolades highlight T. Rowe Price’s success in creating a workplace that values its associates, investing in them through career guidance and mentorship and building trust within the industry.

T. Rowe Price’s culture is rooted in respect, rigor, and generosity, and it empowers associates to grow and make a positive impact in their communities. In 2023 globally, associates volunteered over 32,000 hours and served on the boards of 440 nonprofits. The firm fosters an inclusive environment with more than 50% of associates being a member of at least one resource group supporting associates from diverse racial and ethnic backgrounds, with diverse abilities, those who are members of the LGBTQ+ community, women, and veterans. T. Rowe Price also prioritizes associates’ career growth through training, leadership development, and mentorship with dedicated councils, advisory groups, associate-led resource groups, and heritage communities.

For more information on career opportunities at T. Rowe Price, please visit: https://www.troweprice.com/corporate/us/en/careers.html

Industrial applications that run things like pumps, fans, conveyors, and compressors are responsible for more than 50% of the world’s total electricity consumption. One option to dramatically reduce that drag on resources is variable frequency drives (VFDs). These devices can adjust the frequency and voltage of the power supply, which can help improve the motor’s efficiency and even extend the life of the motor.

Rockwell Automation helped West Fraser, a diversified wood products company, make significant gains towards energy saving targets through an Intelligent Packaged Power (IPP) solution featuring VFDs. An IPP solution simplifies the integration between process and electrical systems—giving workers immediate access to real-time data on the equipment and how it is operating so they can make better decisions faster.

West Fraser’s plant in Cowie, Scotland, began using a CENTERLINE® 1500 medium-voltage motor control center (MCC) and three PowerFlex® 6000T medium-voltage VFDs across three of the site’s energy-intensive fan applications. As a result of reducing motor speed by 25%, West Fraser lowered the motor’s energy consumption by approximately 60%, translating into an annual savings of more than $266,000.

This is just one example of how VFDs can have a profound, positive impact in reducing energy consumption and cutting carbon levels.

Marian Harville’s drive to serve others has taken her around the world and brought her countless opportunities to give back.

Harville always knew she wanted to serve her country, and she began fulfilling that dream in 1994 when she joined the U.S. Navy. Following boot camp, she was selected to attend Storekeeper “A” School, where she was trained in supply operations. Harville then was sent to the USS Holland in Agana Guam, spending two and a half years on the vessel before it was decommissioned. She then served in various roles and at several locations, including Kuwait, Virginia Beach, Virginia, and Port Hueneme, Alameda, San Diego, and Point Loma, all in California.

In October of 2018, Harville retired as a Logistics Specialist Chief after serving 24 years and 10 months.

“It was an incredible journey,” Harville said. “Looking back, I’d have to say my favorite role was serving on the Port Operations Team as part of Maritime Civil Affairs and Security Training Command at Virginia Beach. During my time there, I was able to attend a staff planning course that gave me the skills to serve in the Operations Center during a hurricane that did major destruction to Puerto Rico.”

After retiring from the Navy, Harville took a position at a non-profit to continue her passion for serving others while utilizing the skills she gained as a Logistics Specialist Chief. She did not think she would ever return to her military roots until a phone call seven years later brought her to CACI.

Harville joined CACI as a Logistics Analyst in 2020 and has progressed to Senior Supply Chain Analyst. In her role, she facilitates getting critical parts to the Military Sealift Command fleet, helping to ensure that the premier provider of ocean transportation to the Department of Defense functions smoothly and efficiently.

At CACI, Harville has found a company and colleagues who support her as a veteran and allow her to give back in kind. Harville heard about CACI’s Veteran’s Employee Resource Group (VERG) on her first day of orientation and immediately joined her local chapter. It has given her many opportunities, including presenting a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at Arlington National Cemetery.

Harville now represents VERG as the Vice President of Mentorship and Professional Development for the entire company. She helps other veterans in VERG learn valuable new skills and supports them in their transition from military to civilian life.

“My parents taught me from a young age to serve where I can and assist those who may not be able to help themselves,” Harville said. “In my role with VERG, I am able to support the veteran community at a deeper level and provide peer relationships that facilitate mentorship and guidance.”

With 42% of new hires and 38% of full-time employees being veterans or military-affiliated, CACI has many resources that allow veterans to thrive. Continue your mission at CACI.

About CACI

At CACI International Inc (NYSE: CACI), our 24,000 talented and dynamic employees are ever vigilant in delivering distinctive expertise and differentiated technology to meet our customers’ greatest challenges in national security. We are a company of good character, relentless innovation, and long-standing excellence. Our culture drives our success and earns us recognition as a Fortune World’s Most Admired Company. CACI is a member of the Fortune 1000 Largest Companies, the Russell 1000 Index, and the S&P MidCap 400 Index. For more information, visit us at www.caci.com.

There are statements made herein which do not address historical facts, and therefore could be interpreted to be forward-looking statements as that term is defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such statements are subject to factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from anticipated results. The factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those anticipated include, but are not limited to, the risk factors set forth in CACI’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2024, and other such filings that CACI makes with the Securities and Exchange Commission from time to time. Any forward-looking statements should not be unduly relied upon and only speak as of the date hereof.

# # #

Corporate Communications and Media: 
Lorraine Corcoran 
Executive Vice President, Corporate Communications 
(703) 434-4165, lorraine.corcoran@caci.com

Originally published on GoDaddy Resource Library

The holiday season is meant to be filled with joy, yet for many, it feels more like a marathon of endless to-do lists than a time of celebration. Between the pressure of hosting family, managing travel plans, and finding the perfect gifts, it’s no wonder so many are left feeling overwhelmed instead of merry. 

But what if there was a way to cut through the stress and reclaim the simple pleasures of the season? 

It’s clear that the desire to support local entrepreneurs is strong, and while buying gifts from small businesses is a great way to contribute, there are even more ways to make an impact.

This year, why not take it a step further by outsourcing some of your holiday hosting duties to small businesses in your area?

Reimagine Your Holiday Décor

Consider transforming your home into a festive haven without lifting a finger. Local shops like Gray Brush Vintage Market in Portsmouth, Ohio, offer curated vintage rentals that add a nostalgic touch to any gathering. Founded by lifelong friends Vonda Rogers and Lisa Brickey, Gray Brush provides everything from retro furniture to timeless tableware, giving your holiday setup a unique flair that’s sure to impress your guests.

Vonda and Lisa have been hard at work, even partnering with the Empower by GoDaddy social impact program to boost their online presence and streamline their business operations. Their story, featured in the latest season of GoDaddy’s Made in America documentary series, showcases how they’re making it easier than ever for customers to bring a bit of vintage charm to their celebrations.

Let Someone Else Handle the Cooking

The pressure of preparing a holiday feast can turn anyone into a ball of nerves. Instead of spending the entire day in the kitchen, consider letting a small business handle the heavy lifting. Take Carter’s BBQ, for example. Founder Darren W. Carter left his steel mill job to pursue his passion for barbecue, and his dedication shows in every smoky, flavorful bite.

Whether you’re hosting a dinner or holiday party, Carter’s BBQ can deliver a spread that will satisfy even the pickiest of eaters. And if you’re not local, no worries—Carter’s signature sauces and spices are available for delivery, adding a touch of barbecue flavor to your holiday table from anywhere in the country.

Tired of the same old pies and cookies? Shake up your dessert offerings with a little help from Nika’s Cupcake Bar in Baltimore. Tanika “Nika” Nelson’s custom cupcakes are as beautiful as they are delicious, bringing a fun and unexpected element to any holiday spread. It’s the perfect way to impress your guests without the stress of baking.

Outsource the Unexpected

Beyond food and décor, there are countless other aspects of holiday hosting that you can easily delegate to small businesses. Need help setting the perfect holiday atmosphere? Consider hiring a local florist for seasonal arrangements or a professional cleaning service to get your home guest-ready without the hassle.

Hosting a party? Many small businesses offer bartending services, equipment rentals for seating, or even live music from local artists to make your event truly special. According to GoDaddy Venture Forward, there are over 20 million global online microbusinesses, so you have plenty of small businesses to choose from.

Every community is filled with unique small businesses, each offering its own special touch. Discover the local gems in your neighborhood that fit your style and needs, whether you’re looking for a personal chef, a gift-wrapping service, or a photographer to capture your family’s holiday moments.

Give the Gift of Letting Go by Shopping Local

The holidays should be about connection and making memories, not about feeling the weight of having to do it all. By outsourcing tasks like catering, decorating, and event services to small businesses, you’re not only easing your own stress—you’re also supporting the entrepreneurs who bring unique, personalized services to your community.

Two out of three small businesses — and 89% of the retail businesses — emphasize the holiday season’s importance to their bottom line. What better way to support small business while easing holiday stress than using them to outsource holiday entertainment?

This year, hire local businesses to take care of the details and focus instead on creating memories and savoring every moment of the season.

Empower by GoDaddy Spotlight Series: By partnering with diverse local nonprofits and community organizations around the world, Empower by GoDaddy aims to reach those who haven’t otherwise had access by offering skills training, resources, and mentoring to help accelerate their business journeys. This article is part of the Empower by GoDaddy spotlight series that shines a light on the individuals who make this unique initiative possible. 

Originally published on Illumina News Center

The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society estimates that by year end, 2024 will have seen 187,740 Americans diagnosed with a blood cancer—or about one person every three minutes.

This unfortunate statistic belies the difficulty of arriving at a diagnosis and treatment. Current conventional diagnostic workflows use multiple lab technologies, such as karyotyping, fluorescence in situ hybridization, microarrays, gene panels, and PCR testing. The process is complex, the technology is limited, and the results can be conflicting.

With unprecedented sensitivity and accuracy, whole-genome sequencing (WGS) can detect variants and biomarkers that are critical for prognosis, risk stratification, and treatment decisions.

“Sequencing technology has really improved clinical outcomes in terms of risk stratification and diagnostic decisions for cancer,” says Illumina bioinformatician Weida Gong. “For acute myeloid leukemia, or AML, in particular, sequencing is essential because the mutational profile may change a doctor’s treatment decisions.” Some mutational patterns more significantly impact how the disease progresses, and if these mutations or abnormalities go undetected, patients suffer lower survival rates.

The standard of care for bone marrow or blood cancer patients often involves multiple tests. “Conventionally, physicians have been using karyotyping or cytogenetics to profile just the genomic abnormality for hematology patients,” Gong says. Unfortunately, these methods cannot provide a high-resolution picture of the disease. Cytogenetics may only detect chromosomal aberrations larger than five megabases (5 million genetic base pairs). Hematology patients, Gong explains, can have mutations that affect just one or a few base pairs—small insertions or deletions (indels) far from the megabase scale. Standard testing misses this important information that impacts diagnosis, risk stratification, and treatment.

Last month at the American Society of Human Genetics (ASHG) annual meeting in Denver, Gong presented a poster on a study evaluating the analytical performance of WGS (limit of detection, sensitivity, specificity, and reproducibility) in identifying somatic small variants, structural variants (SV), and copy number alterations (CNA) specific to AML, in a cohort of AML patients. (Illumina coauthor Guidantonio Malagoli Tagliazucchi had just presented the same poster at the European Society for Medical Oncology annual meeting in September.)

The researchers used a combination of 23 clinical samples from collaborators at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, plus a cohort of 30 AML clinical samples from Discovery Life Sciences, and more than 500 samples, including both cell lines and clinical samples, from their in-house development and optimization work with the assay. They processed these samples with Illumina DNA PCR-Free Prep, sequenced them with the NovaSeq 6000 System with S4, and used the DRAGEN version 4.2 secondary analysis heme pipeline to compare variants detected from WGS.

The demonstration study compared the data from Illumina’s WGS workflow with reference sets from Washington University and Discovery Life Sciences. Overall, they found an improved and more complete picture of each tumor, and the new data provided greater insights.

“When you look at AML patients, there are mutations that have low variant allele frequency [VAF], from 5% to 20%,” Gong says. “This means that if you sequence a specific location, 5% or 20% of time, you’re going to see that mutation.” Standard clinical methods for blood cancers sequence at only 30× or 40× coverage. The previous Washington University paper used about 60×. In their study, Gong and his coauthors sequenced at 200× coverage, which helped reveal mutations that are more difficult to find using conventional technologies such as microarrays.

“The sensitivity was 100%, including hard-to-find indels,” Gong says. “There’s one particular mutation that is very, very important for AML risk stratification, and that is FLT3-ITD. There are also AML specific SVs and CNAs. We were able to detect all of them from the clinical samples.” The researchers also carried out a limit-of-detection study in which they were able to report a 95% detection rate for 5% VAF at a coverage of 140×. This is the same VAF percentage as the recently FDA-approved TruSight Oncology Comprehensive assay. “The fact that this assay’s limit of detection is on par with TSO Comp is super, super exciting.”

The study was performed at Illumina Laboratory Services in San Diego, where the workflow is end-to-end from extraction to the downstream bioinformatics pipeline. Thanks in part to this setup, they were able to achieve a total turnaround time of five days. “This is very important, especially for the case of tumor diagnosis. Time is essential,” Gong says. Conventional testing is often iterative and requires multiple steps and procedures. “Some tests, like qPCR, can be very fast, returning results in two or three days—but they only look for specific mutations. And the other tests take much longer.

“WGS is definitely very sensitive and we don’t need to apply multiple different technologies to profile the genetic risk for AML patients,” says Gong. “Whole-genome sequencing is a one-stop shop.”

Illumina has developed a tumor-only, high-coverage WGS method and bioinformatics pipeline, based on its DRAGEN software, to better characterize hematological malignancies for research use. Illumina is the only sequencing company that provides all the components to do WGS heme testing across library prep, sequencing, secondary analysis, and interpretation.

The DRAGEN heme solution is integrated with Illumina Connected Insights to prioritize, interpret, and report on key variants for clinical researchers. Connected Insights includes a powerful tool kit with integrated knowledge sources, automated variant classification, comprehensive visualizations, and extensive filtering options. In early 2025, Illumina will expand Connected Insights’ functionality to include automated risk stratification for AML samples (according to World Health Organization and European LeukemiaNet guidelines for 2022), with transparent logic and evidence display. Thanks to the software’s automated data transfer and analysis launch, researchers will be able to implement a “no touch” automated complete solution, from sequencing to draft research report, and enjoy new efficiencies in heme WGS analyses.

Industry leaders understand the power of WGS to provide a comprehensive genomic characterization for hematologic malignancies, well beyond what cytogenetics applications can achieve. In August 2023, Medicare approved Washington University’s WGS test for blood cancers, called ChromoSeq. Yet wider implementation of WGS—even for AML, where its value has been reported—remains a challenge for health care systems.

“There is a lot of interest,” Gong says. “Regarding the utility of WGS, the sky is the limit.”

To learn about the Illumina heme WGS interpretation solution, click here.

To read about applications of WGS in hematologic malignancies, click here.

To see a demonstration of the DRAGEN bioinformatics pipeline for heme WGS, please contact dragen-info@illumina.com.

WILDLIGHT, Fla., December 12, 2024 /3BL/ – Rayonier, a leading timberland real estate investment trust, is pleased to announce the award of $144,125 in grants to 46 local organizations serving Nassau County and North Florida.

This year’s grants, distributed through the Rayonier Community Fund, will support a diverse range of impactful programs, including those focused on education, environmental conservation, cultural enrichment, civic engagement, and health and human services.

“Rayonier is committed to strengthening the communities where we live and work,” said Rayonier Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer April Tice. “These organizations are the backbone of Nassau County, providing vital services and enriching the lives of our residents. We are proud to partner with them to support their invaluable work.”

To celebrate the honorees, Rayonier hosted its annual awards breakfast at the FSCJ Betty P. Cook Nassau Center, bringing together grant recipients and local leaders, including County Commissioner Hupp Huppmann, District 2, and County Commissioner Klynt Farmer, District. 5. Also in attendance were Property Appraiser–Elect Kevin Lilly, Nassau County School Board member Gail Cook, Sheriff Bill Leeper and the Honorable Judge Jenny Higginbotham, in the Fourth Judicial Circuit.

“Our community’s commitment allows us to further our mission, providing critical support and mentorship to underserved children in Nassau County,” noted Robin Lentz, Executive Director of Take Stock in Children. “This grant from the Rayonier Community Fund will be instrumental in providing four-year university scholarships, opening doors to higher education for those who need it most.”

The following organizations received support through the Rayonier Community Fund this year:

Amelia Island Book Festival 
Amelia Island Museum of History 
American Heart Association 
Arts Alive Nassau 
Barnabas Center Inc. 
Blue Fire Theater 
Boys & Girls Clubs on Nassau County 
Boy Scouts of America, North Florida Council 
CJordan Community Outreach, Inc. 
Community Hospice & Palliative Care 
Elm Street Sportsman Association 
Families in Transition Program courtesy of the Nassau County School Board 
Fernandina Beach High School Foundation 
Flagler County Fire Rescue 
Florida Forestry Foundation 
Florida Forest Service (Friends of Florida State Forests) 
Institute for Enterprise Inc. 
Jacksonville Arboretum and Botanical Gardens 
Keep Nassau Beautiful 
Les DeMerle Amelia Island Jazz Festival 
Micah’s Place, Inc. 
Nassau County Council on Aging, Inc. 
Nassau County Extension UF/IFAS Extension 
Nassau County School District 
Nassau County Sheriff’s Office Charities
Nassau County Sheriff’s Office Emergency ManagementNassau Education Foundation 
Nassau Habitat for Humanity 
National Pediatric Cancer Foundation 
Navy Seal Foundation 
Northeast Florida Fair Association 
School Board of Nassau County – All Pro Dads 
St. Marys Riverkeeper 
Take Stock in Children of Nassau County 
The Arc Nassau 
The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society No FL Chapter 
The Salvation Army Hope House 
The U.S. Constitution Scholarship Foundation 
Three Rivers Legal Services 
Traders Hill Farm 
University of Florida Foundation 
Veterans Council of Nassau County 
VFW Post 10095 Auxiliary via Blank Check Society 
West Nassau Historical Society 
YMCA of Florida’s First Coast – McArthur Center 
YMCA of Florida’s First Coast – Wildlight Center

About Rayonier 
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Recognizing the power of sports to drive positive change, AEG’s German ice hockey champions, Eisbären Berlin, deepened their commitment to social responsibility and sustainability with the formation of the Eisbären Berlin Foundation. 

The first DEL hockey club to establish its own foundation, the Eisbären Berlin Foundation seeks to operate as a community-driven initiative that encourages fans to become actively involved in the club’s social responsibility efforts. The foundation is led by Florian Eckart, a long-time Eisbären employee, who serves as Chairman and Christopher Werner who serve as Chief Financial Officer.

Combining the love of hockey with meaningful social engagement, one of the foundation’s initial initiatives was a collaboration with the women’s hockey team to promote gender equality in the sport. They organized early fundraising efforts to strengthen equality with the men’s team of the Eisbären and to ensure the competitiveness of the Eisbären women’s team on a European level.

Additionally, the Eisbären Foundation took a leading role in organizing the clubs “Pink in the Rink” event in October, which in one day raised over $17,000 to support cancer patients in Berlin.

To learn more about the Eisbären Foundation, click here.