Latest news with #ACCESS
Forbes
25-06-2025
- Health
- Forbes
Wildfire Smoke Is Dangerous To Pets. Here's How To Keep Them Safe
An aerial view shows smoke from Canadian wildfires dimming the downtown skyline on June 3, 2025, in ... More Chicago, Illinois. The smoke caused air quality alerts in parts of Minnesota, Iowa and Wisconsin and was visible in Illinois, Michigan, Ohio, Pennsylvania and West Virginia. Fire season is in full swing, with wildfires blazing in a dozen U.S. states and Canada. Wildfire smoke often leads to poor air quality that can negatively impact humans and animals alike, so many veterinarians and health officials are urging the public to protect pets. The early signs a dog is being affected by wildfire smoke can mirror some of the symptoms of minor seasonal allergies in dogs, like a runny nose and eyes. But if they develop respiratory difficulties, it's time to consult your veterinarian, according to Mike Walters, DVM, MS, DACVECC, medical director at ACCESS Specialty Animal Hospitals – Los Angeles in Culver City, California. 'If a pet has a predisposing illness — pulmonary disease, lung disease, asthma, airway disease, something like that — that puts them at risk,' he said. 'Those pets are probably going to be showing clinical signs earlier on than an otherwise healthy dog or cat.' When wildfires burn homes as well as vegetation, the smoke contains additional toxins. Dogs might show respiratory distress by gagging or coughing, as though they're trying to clear their throat. It can lead to labored breathing. 'It doesn't take a lot of energy for a normal, healthy dog to breathe, but as they become distressed, they're putting more energy, more effort into their breathing,' he said. 'You start seeing them really working to bring air in and out. Anybody could probably recognize, 'Hey — my dog is having a problem breathing.' But if cats get to that point, that can be a very serious problem.' Cats can develop respiratory issues and other serious problems when air quality is poor due to ... More wildfire smoke. Cats are usually 'quiet' about their breathing, so when they have respiratory issues, they may experience fatigue, and reduced thirst and appetite, Dr. Walters noted. 'Maybe they start becoming weak, not wanting to move around, not doing their normal activity. And then further signs might be they're becoming disoriented, they might stumble,' he said. 'Those are very serious signs. Those cats need to be seen by a veterinarian sooner than later.' How To Protect Dogs And Cats From Wildfire Smoke The most important way to protect dogs and cats from wildfire smoke is to keep them inside, according to Dr. Walters. 'That's first and foremost,' he said. 'Limit their outdoor activity to only go to the bathroom. We're not going on walks. We're not running around playing ball.' To help keep pets safe from wildfire smoke, he also recommends: While being indoors obviously won't be a change for indoor cats — keeping cats indoors protects them from many dangers, including bird flu — dogs will need extra enrichment activities to compensate for not getting their typical outdoor exercise. So this is a prime time to practice positive training to engage a dog's mind and give their energy somewhere to go, Dr. Walters suggested. For instance, family members can hide in different rooms with kibble or dog treats to take turns calling 'Come!' and rewarding the dog for a successful find. Dogs need extra enrichment activities like play and training activities while staying inside due to ... More wildfire smoke. You can also play with toys together and, of course, bank some extra snuggle time if your dog or cat is a cuddler. One activity you should not pursue: putting a mask made for humans, like an N95, on a dog or cat. Masks are fitted for flatter human faces and won't work on an animal. 'If you get to the point where you feel like as mask is needed for you or for your dog or cat, you need to move,' Dr. Walters said. 'You need to get out of the area. That's probably not a safe environment for anybody to stay in and breathe.' Preparing To Evacuate Due To Wildfire Smoke Or A Fire Itself Always bring your pets if you have to evacuate due to wildfires. If you need to evacuate due to wildfires, be sure to bring your pets. Last year when a wildfire threatened their home, Dr. Walters and his wife were able to quickly evacuate with their four dogs and a conure (small parrot). The key is preparation since conditions can change so quickly, he emphasized. Be sure each pet is microchipped and your contact information is up to date with the microchip registry in case you're separated. Pack a 'go bag' with everything your pet might need, including medications, food, water bowls, harnesses, leashes, gallons of water, bedding and favorite toys, as well as a copy of their shot records (often printed on an animal hospital invoice). Keep the go bags for your pets and other members of the family in an easily accessible place, and make evacuation plans ahead of time. 'Where are you going to go? What are you going to bring? How are you going to escape? What different routes do you have? Ask yourself, 'Do I have all the things that I need? Do I have a go bag for myself? Do I have a go bag for my pets? Is it all someplace easy to get to? Is there an emergency veterinary clinic that I'm heading toward that I could use if I needed to? Do I have gas in my car? Is it serviced?'' he said. 'You need to have a plan.'
Yahoo
20-06-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Hartselle City Schools administrator wins award
Jun. 19—Hartselle City Schools Secondary Curriculum Coordinator Josh Swindall was recognized with the Alabama ACCESS Administrator of the Year Award. ACCESS, which stands for Alabama Connecting Classrooms, Educations and Students Statewide, is a virtual learning program that provides students with opportunities to take courses not otherwise offered at their school. Each year, the Alabama State Department of Education recognizes an administrator, counselor, facilitator, teacher and student of the year for their work with ACCESS. Swindall received the award Wednesday at the Alabama Educational Technology Conference in Mobile. HCS Superintendent Brian Clayton said teacher Wynette Orr was also recognized with the ACCESS regional award for facilitators for her work with its Academy program. "It signifies the level of excellence that Hartselle City Schools continues to provide," Clayton said. "Whether we want to talk about online classes or face-to-face classes, I think there's a high level of expectation in Hartselle, and our employees do their best to try to meet that standard, and I think it is widely recognized through the state." — or 256-340-2437
Business Wire
17-06-2025
- Health
- Business Wire
NMDP's ACCESS Trial Results Published in Journal of Clinical Oncology, Demonstrating Strong Outcomes with Mismatched Unrelated Donors in Adult Stem Cell Transplantation
MINNEAPOLIS--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Results from the ACCESS (Allogeneic Cell Transplantation Clinical Evaluation of Stem Cell Sources) study, a multicenter Phase II clinical trial sponsored by NMDP SM, a global nonprofit leader in cell therapy, and conducted by its collaborative research program, CIBMTR® (Center for International Blood and Marrow Transplant Research®), were published in the peer-reviewed Journal of Clinical Oncology. The results demonstrate that post-transplant cyclophosphamide (PTCy)-based graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) prophylaxis enables safe and effective hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT) from mismatched unrelated donors (MMUD), significantly expanding access to curative therapy for patients with blood cancers. Evaluating outcomes in two conditioning intensity groups—myeloablative (MAC) and reduced-intensity/nonmyeloablative (RIC/NMA)—the study found there was no significant difference in overall survival (OS) between patients with 7/8 HLA-matched donors and those with <7/8 matches, supporting broader donor eligibility. The one-year OS was 83.8% for MAC and 78.6% for RIC/NMA recipients. These outcomes were comparable to, or better than, historical 8/8 matched donor benchmarks (75%). 'These study results are a major step forward in making allogeneic peripheral blood stem cell transplantation more accessible for all patients who need a lifesaving procedure,' said Monzr M. Al Malki, M.D., Professor, Department of Hematology & Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation, City of Hope and ACCESS study co-chair. 'By demonstrating that mismatched unrelated donors can be used safely and effectively, we are opening the door to curative therapy for patients who historically had limited or no donor options. The findings published also lay the groundwork for future Phase III trials comparing MMUD transplantation to other alternative donor strategies.' The trial enrolled 145 adult patients with high-risk hematologic malignancies across 21 U.S. transplant centers, with 59% self-identifying as members of underrepresented racial or ethnic groups. Participants received peripheral blood stem cell (PBSC) grafts from MMUDs and were treated with a standardized PTCy-based GVHD prophylaxis regimen. Low rates of severe GVHD were also observed, with grade III-IV acute GVHD at six months occurring in only 8% (MAC) and 10% (RIC/NMA) and severe chronic GVHD at 12 months in only 3% (MAC) and 4% (RIC/NMA) of patients. The pool of study participants included a high representation of socially vulnerable populations, with many patients reporting financial hardship and reduced physical function at baseline. NMDP-led Donor for All research Historically, finding an available matched, unrelated donor on international registries has been limited for patients with ethnically diverse ancestry— from as low as 29% for Black or African American patients and 48% for Latino and Hispanic patients versus 79% for non-Hispanic White patients. NMDP's network of transplant centers, many of which participate in CIBMTR trials, are bringing new research to light that is challenging previously established HCT science. To improve outcomes, NMDP is sponsoring a series of clinical trials studying the use of PTCy GVHD prophylaxis in MMUD HCT (patients matched at 4/8 to 7/8 alleles). ACCESS builds upon findings from the first Donor for All trial, the groundbreaking NMDP-sponsored 15-MMUD study, which showed that PTCy was effective in decreasing risk for GVHD in adults with hematologic malignancies receiving bone marrow transplants from MMUDs. ACCESS is closed to further enrollment, with pediatric results forthcoming next year. The OPTIMIZE trial is now enrolling and evaluating whether a reduced dose of PTCy will safely and effectively prevent GVHD while reducing infection risk in patients with hematologic malignancies receiving PBSC HCT from MMUDs. The ACCELERATE trial will open to accrual this summer to further reduce the risk of GVHD and other post-transplant complications in patients. 'Our Donor for All research is transforming cell therapy as well as redefining donor eligibility and transplant accessibility – helping close the donor gap and extend curative therapies to every patient who needs a life-saving transplant,' Steven Devine, MD, chief medical officer, NMDP, and senior scientific director, CIBMTR, and a senior author of the study, added. About CIBMTR® CIBMTR® (Center for International Blood and Marrow Transplant Research®) is a nonprofit research collaboration between NMDP SM, in Minneapolis, and the Medical College of Wisconsin®, in Milwaukee. CIBMTR collaborates with the global scientific community to increase survival and enrich quality of life for patients. CIBMTR facilitates critical observational and interventional research through scientific and statistical expertise, a large network of centers, and a unique database of long-term clinical data for more than 675,000 people who have received hematopoietic cell transplantation and other cellular therapies. Learn more at About NMDP SM At NMDP SM, we believe each of us holds the key to curing blood cancers and disorders. As a global nonprofit leader in cell therapy, NMDP creates essential connections between researchers and supporters to inspire action and accelerate innovation to find life-saving cures. With the help of blood stem cell donors from the world's most diverse registry and our extensive network of transplant partners, physicians and caregivers, we're expanding access to treatment so that every patient can receive their life-saving cell therapy. NMDP. Find cures. Save lives. Learn more at
Associated Press
17-06-2025
- Health
- Associated Press
NMDP's ACCESS Trial Results Published in Journal of Clinical Oncology, Demonstrating Strong Outcomes with Mismatched Unrelated Donors in Adult Stem Cell Transplantation
MINNEAPOLIS--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Jun 17, 2025-- Results from the ACCESS (Allogeneic Cell Transplantation Clinical Evaluation of Stem Cell Sources) study, a multicenter Phase II clinical trial sponsored by NMDP SM, a global nonprofit leader in cell therapy, and conducted by its collaborative research program, CIBMTR® (Center for International Blood and Marrow Transplant Research®), were published in the peer-reviewed Journal of Clinical Oncology. The results demonstrate that post-transplant cyclophosphamide (PTCy)-based graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) prophylaxis enables safe and effective hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT) from mismatched unrelated donors (MMUD), significantly expanding access to curative therapy for patients with blood cancers. Evaluating outcomes in two conditioning intensity groups—myeloablative (MAC) and reduced-intensity/nonmyeloablative (RIC/NMA)—the study found there was no significant difference in overall survival (OS) between patients with 7/8 HLA-matched donors and those with <7/8 matches, supporting broader donor eligibility. The one-year OS was 83.8% for MAC and 78.6% for RIC/NMA recipients. These outcomes were comparable to, or better than, historical 8/8 matched donor benchmarks (75%). 'These study results are a major step forward in making allogeneic peripheral blood stem cell transplantation more accessible for all patients who need a lifesaving procedure,' said Monzr M. Al Malki, M.D., Professor, Department of Hematology & Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation, City of Hope and ACCESS study co-chair. 'By demonstrating that mismatched unrelated donors can be used safely and effectively, we are opening the door to curative therapy for patients who historically had limited or no donor options. The findings published also lay the groundwork for future Phase III trials comparing MMUD transplantation to other alternative donor strategies.' The trial enrolled 145 adult patients with high-risk hematologic malignancies across 21 U.S. transplant centers, with 59% self-identifying as members of underrepresented racial or ethnic groups. Participants received peripheral blood stem cell (PBSC) grafts from MMUDs and were treated with a standardized PTCy-based GVHD prophylaxis regimen. Low rates of severe GVHD were also observed, with grade III-IV acute GVHD at six months occurring in only 8% (MAC) and 10% (RIC/NMA) and severe chronic GVHD at 12 months in only 3% (MAC) and 4% (RIC/NMA) of patients. The pool of study participants included a high representation of socially vulnerable populations, with many patients reporting financial hardship and reduced physical function at baseline. NMDP-led Donor for All research Historically, finding an available matched, unrelated donor on international registries has been limited for patients with ethnically diverse ancestry— from as low as 29% for Black or African American patients and 48% for Latino and Hispanic patients versus 79% for non-Hispanic White patients. NMDP's network of transplant centers, many of which participate in CIBMTR trials, are bringing new research to light that is challenging previously established HCT science. To improve outcomes, NMDP is sponsoring a series of clinical trials studying the use of PTCy GVHD prophylaxis in MMUD HCT (patients matched at 4/8 to 7/8 alleles). 'Our Donor for All research is transforming cell therapy as well as redefining donor eligibility and transplant accessibility – helping close the donor gap and extend curative therapies to every patient who needs a life-saving transplant,' Steven Devine, MD, chief medical officer, NMDP, and senior scientific director, CIBMTR, and a senior author of the study, added. About CIBMTR® CIBMTR® (Center for International Blood and Marrow Transplant Research®) is a nonprofit research collaboration between NMDP SM, in Minneapolis, and the Medical College of Wisconsin®, in Milwaukee. CIBMTR collaborates with the global scientific community to increase survival and enrich quality of life for patients. CIBMTR facilitates critical observational and interventional research through scientific and statistical expertise, a large network of centers, and a unique database of long-term clinical data for more than 675,000 people who have received hematopoietic cell transplantation and other cellular therapies. Learn more at About NMDP SM At NMDP SM, we believe each of us holds the key to curing blood cancers and disorders. As a global nonprofit leader in cell therapy, NMDP creates essential connections between researchers and supporters to inspire action and accelerate innovation to find life-saving cures. With the help of blood stem cell donors from the world's most diverse registry and our extensive network of transplant partners, physicians and caregivers, we're expanding access to treatment so that every patient can receive their life-saving cell therapy. NMDP. Find cures. Save lives. Learn more at View source version on CONTACT: Media contact: Jess Ayers [email protected] KEYWORD: UNITED STATES NORTH AMERICA MINNESOTA INDUSTRY KEYWORD: ONCOLOGY HEALTH STEM CELLS GENERAL HEALTH CLINICAL TRIALS RESEARCH SCIENCE SOURCE: NMDP Copyright Business Wire 2025. PUB: 06/17/2025 10:14 AM/DISC: 06/17/2025 10:14 AM
Yahoo
23-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Atlanta Jewish community mourns loss of embassy staffers in DC shooting
The Brief The Atlanta Jewish community is mourning the loss of Sarah Milgrim and Yaron Lischinsky, who were killed in a shooting at the Capital Jewish Museum in Washington, D.C., during an embassy event. Elias Rodriguez has been charged in connection with the attack, which is believed to have been motivated by political statements, and federal prosecutors are considering additional charges, including the death penalty. In response to the tragedy, community leaders are emphasizing resilience and solidarity, while advocating for increased security measures and encouraging support for Jewish residents in Atlanta. ATLANTA - Members of Atlanta's Jewish community are reeling following the deadly shooting of Sarah Milgrim, an Israeli Embassy staffer with close ties to the city, during an attack at the Capital Jewish Museum in Washington, D.C. Milgrim and her colleague Yaron Lischinsky were shot and killed during an embassy event Tuesday evening. Authorities have charged Elias Rodriguez, a Chicago man, in connection with the killings, alleging he entered the museum shouting "Free, free Palestine!" before opening fire. Federal prosecutors say additional charges are possible and have not ruled out seeking the death penalty. SEE ALSO: Chicago man charged in D.C. embassy shooting — FBI raids apartment But in Atlanta, the focus has turned to grief, fear, and solidarity. What they're saying "This incident, this event is terrifying and just devastating to me and the entire Jewish community," said Dov Wilker, the Atlanta regional director of the American Jewish Committee (AJC), which had previously worked with Milgrim. Milgrim had been active in AJC's ACCESS program, which brings together young Jewish professionals across the country. Wilker said Milgrim was deeply engaged with the Atlanta community, helping lead trips abroad and organize interfaith outreach. "She traveled with them to Morocco. She did programming with them in D.C. This was really their friend — a beautiful friend of theirs who all she wanted to do was make a positive impact on the world," Wilker said. Since the shooting, Wilker has been in contact with young professionals who knew Milgrim. "They are absolutely devastated. They never thought that something like this could happen," he said. "As bad as antisemitism got, they never thought that a young Jewish professionals event would be a target of this type of attack." Anat Sultan-Dadon, Consul General of Israel to the Southeastern United States, said she had met both victims and believed the attack was intended to intimidate those working in diplomacy. "We were open this morning. We are resilient. We are strong. And we will not allow for terror to win," Sultan-Dadon said. "We will not be terrorized and we will not be afraid to stand up for who we are and for what is right. We will continue to represent Israel proudly." Wilker echoed calls for strength but acknowledged the deep anxiety now gripping many in the community. "One of the things that has to happen in the Jewish community — and continues to happen — is an increase of visible security presence," he said. The AJC is urging residents across metro Atlanta to reach out to their Jewish neighbors in the wake of the shooting. "Check in with them. Support them. Let them know they are not alone," Wilker said. The Source Dov Wilker, the Atlanta regional director of the American Jewish Committee, and Anat Sultan-Dadon, Consul General of Israel to the Southeastern United States, both spoke with FOX 5's Eric Mock for this article. FOX News contributed to this article.
