The actors teamed up to raise awareness for colon cancer

Deadpool star Ryan Reynolds has had his share of firsts, but allowing a video crew to capture his colonoscopy screening live has to be near the top. Reynolds bet friend and fellow chairman of the Welsh Wrexham Association Football Club, Rob McElhenny, that he wouldn’t learn how to speak Welsh. Unfortunately for Reynolds, he did, so Reynolds kept his end of the bargain.

Both Reynolds and McElhenny, who star in the fabulous documentary Welcome to Wrexham, joined the Lead from Behind an organization aiming to “make colon cancer famous.”

“It’s not every day that you can raise awareness about something that will most definitely save lives. That’s enough motivation for me to let you in on a camera being shoved up my a**. The procedure and prep were painless but the discomfort of filming and sharing the process was the hardest part,” he said.

“Did they find Rosebud up there?” Reynolds joked with the nurse after the procedure. While Reynolds brings humor to the situation, colon cancer is on the rise for people under 50. It is the third most frequently diagnosed cancer in the United States, according to the American Cancer Society.

Although McElhenney won the bet, he, too, underwent a videotaped colonoscopy.

“If they find a polyp, it’s either bigger than his – which is awesome – or it’s smaller than his, which means I have less of an opportunity to have cancer. Either way I win,” McElhenney, who created and starred in It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia, said.

“Rob and I both, we turned 45 this year,” Reynolds said in the video. “And you know, part of being this age is getting a colonoscopy. It’s a simple step that could literally – and I mean, literally – save your life.” It turns out that for Reynolds, that may have been the case. CBS Chief Medical Correspondent Jonathan LaPook, performed the procedure, which led to the discovery of a small polyp in the actor’s colon.

“You did such a good prep that I was able to find an extremely subtle polyp on the right side of your colon,” LaPook told Reynolds. “This was potentially life-saving for you. I’m not kidding. I’m not being overly dramatic. This is exactly why you do this.”

Kudos to both actors for de-stigmatizing a necessary medical procedure to help find and treat something preventable.

No matter how careful you are, parenting means it’s impossible to avoid the occasional worrisome scenario. While most parents tote a basic first aid kit, doctors recommend carrying these 12 items to treat wounds and stop bleeding if you find yourself too far from a medical professional, as well as preventative items such as sunscreen and hand sanitizer.

Hand Sanitizer

Zoey Naturals

Unless you're hiding under a rock, you can't go a day without hearing another Coronavirus aka Covid-19 update. You've also probably heard the best way to prevent the spread of any illness is frequen, thorough handwashing (for at least 20 seconds) and healthy dose of hand sanitizer. If you're concerned about the chemicals in some sanitizer, we recommend Zoey Naturals, which is baby-safe and paraben, sulfate and phthalate free, while still killing 99% of germs. Hello Bello also makes a hand-sanitizing spray (not recommend for babies but great for kids). We also like Clean & Well's disinfecting wipes for surfaces. 

(Editor's note:, at the time of this writing all products were in stock). 

Sunscreen

Amazon

It may seem like the only time to keep sunscreen within hands reach is during the summer, but it actually comes in handy in the case of an emergency, too. If you find yourself injured on a trail or even stranded on the side of the road from car issues, slathering on the protective cream will prevent an undue sunburn and one less thing to worry about.

Survival Knife

Amazon

While it may seem scary to have a survival knife in your back pocket, it definitely can come in handy. Cut gauze or bandages, fashion a walking stick in a pinch, or cut away brush. A knife is no laughing matter, but it can save your life in an emergency. Be sure to keep it far away from small hands and fingers. This one's for grown-ups only. 

Gauze

Amazon

You never know when you'll incur a scratch, bite or cut while out hiking or camping, and that's why keeping a stash of gauze is a great idea. Use it to clean wounds, staunch bleeding or to cover from the elements. Gauze is a clean and breathable material you can't afford not to have when heading out for an adventure.

Elastic Wrap Bandage

elastic wrap bandages
Amazon

Apply pressure to wounds and keep them clean and bandaged with elastic wrap bandages. They are a small in size, but can take care of a multitude of injuries, from sprained ankles to keeping gauze in place. Take it one step further and purchase self-adhering bandages like these from Amazon and you can rest easy until you can find a doctor for treatment.

Tourniquet

tourniquet
Amazon

Serious injuries never happen when we expect them, but preparation can save lives. Keeping a tourniquet on hand can do just that––not only save a loved ones life from a serious bleeding injury but also give you piece of mind. You don't need to worry about tearing a strip of fabric or tying it tight enough––purchase a simple medical tourniquet and let it do all the work for you!

Protein Food Pouch

protein food pouch
Amazon

Getting separated from your tour group or being hindered by the elements can mean an unexpected longer time in the wilderness. Protect your family against hunger-related issues by packing simple protein food pouches that can be eaten on the run. They are quick to prepare and contain wholesome ingredients to keep you fueled and ready to press on towards home.

Water Purifying Tablets

water purification tablets
Amazon

Finding drinkable water in the natural elements can be difficult, and that's why keeping a bottle of water purification tablets is a must. The iodine tablets purify contaminated water in 30 minutes, killing off bacteria. Staying hydrated while in the great outdoors and injured is key––this product is a no-brainer! Check out these leak-proof water bottles for you next excursion. 

Flashlight

flashlight
WikiMediaImages via Pixabay

In case you end up staying out longer than expected, always keep a flashlight with fresh batteries on hand. Whether you're handling an injured family member or are just exhausted from a long day out with the kids and its getting dark, you can never go wrong with a flashlight in your day back or car trunk. (Also handy for playing flashlight games f you're bored). 

Emergency Blanket

foil blanket
Amazon

Keep loved ones who are injured and in shock warm when you keep foil blankets on hand. They are tiny––only the size of a credit card when folded up—and can be easily carried in purses, diaper bags or backpacks without any added weight. They are great for disaster kits and perfect for keeping in your car if you encounter a car accident or other scenario when someone needs a blanket to stay warm.

Instant Cold Pack

Amazon

Lower fevers, relieve bug bites and treat swollen limbs with an instant cold pack. Carry in your backpack and snap to start the chemical reaction that makes these ice packs cold. No need to freeze in advance, and no melting bags of ice!

––Karly Wood

Feature Photo: Rawpixel

This post contains affiliate links.

 

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Baby Yoda has made its way into our hearts and now, the little green dude is helping to save lives.

The Love Your Melon Star Wars Mandalorian collection features 21 hats with Baby Yoda or the Mandalorian mask, each with adult and kid sizes. With every purchase of a Love Your Melon’s Baby Yoda beanie, The Mandalorian fans can help fight pediatric cancer. 

Half of all Love Your Melon profits are donated to charities supporting pediatric cancer research, therapy and patient families. Since the company started in 2012, they’ve given more than 215,000 hats to children battling cancer and have donated $8.3 million to research. Keep scrolling to see some of our fave styles.

The Child Lightweight Pom Beanie

Available for pre-order, $55

High Rise Kids Beanie

$40

Dark Charcoal Lightweight Pom Beanie

Mandalorain Hat

Available for pre-order, $55

Baby Yoda Ears Beanie

Available for pre-order, $45

 

—Karly Wood

All photos courtesy of Love Your Melon

 

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We are all learning to navigate the new normal during the time of coronavirus, but luckily, Gru and his minions are here to help. In collaboration with the World Health Organization and the United Nations Foundation, Illumination has launched a Public Service Announcement (PSA) to help demonstrate safe and healthy practices.

Voicing his famous character, Steve Carell brings Gru to life to share how being kind to others, practicing social distancing and remaining active can save lives. The PSA is set to tons of scenes from the Despicable Me franchise, including plenty of minions!

The PSA will be translated into Spanish, French, Portuguese and Arabic as well as others. The company behind Despicable Me, Illumination, is the first Hollywood Studio to partner with WHO, the UN Foundation and the COVID-19 Solidarity Response Fund as they work to promote health and protection efforts during the pandemic

President & CEO of the United Nations Foundation, Elizabeth Cousens says of the partnership, “As the world continues to grapple with the challenges of COVID-19, one of our most powerful weapons is kindness. We are delighted that the Despicable Me characters are letting their love show and showing ways to keep themselves and their communities safe during this unprecedented time.”

––Karly Wood

Feature photo: World Health Organization via YouTube

 

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There’s no doubt that the cost of insulin is increasing. According to the Health Care Cost Institute, between the years 2012 and 2016 gross spending on the prescription drug rose by $2,841 per person. Now one state is doing something to lower the often-hefty price tag that comes with a type 1 diabetes diagnosis. And it just might save lives!

Colorado recently became the first state to put a price cap on private insurance copays for insulin. While it’s not unheard of (actually, it’s pretty common) for a diabetic to pay hundreds of dollars a month to get this life-saving medication, Colorado’s new legislation puts a $100 per month limit on out-of-pocket spending.

According to CBS Denver, Governor Jared Polis (who signed the bill into law) said, “We declare that the days of insulin price gouging are over in Colorado.” Even though the law won’t regulate how much drug manufacturers charge for insulin, it will directly keep costs down for patients.

If you’re wondering just how widespread or serious this issue is, take a look at use stats. According to Yale researchers, more than one-quarter of diabetics report using less insulin than needed due to the prohibitively costly price tag.

While it doesn’t look like the cost of insulin will decrease anytime soon, legislation like Colorado’s can help diabetics to get the life-saving medication they need—without having to go into debt to foot the bill.

—Erica Loop

Featured photo: Stevepb via Pixabay

 

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During those nine months of pregnancy, expectant moms can expectant to spend a lot of time at their doctor’s office being weighed, measured and checked. A new study examines a prenatal care app that could replace some of those in-person visits and it’s working.

A study conducted by researchers at George Washington University and published in the journal JMIR mHealth and uHealth has found that Babyscripts, a virtual care app for managing obstetrics was successful in reducing the amount of in-person prenatal care visits needed during pregnancy while maintaining patient satisfaction.

photo: Jacob Sippel via U.S. Navy

The study included pregnant women between the ages of 18 and 40 who were diagnosed with a low-risk pregnancy, meaning that they had no patient history of hypertension, diabetes, renal disease or other condition that could negatively affect the outcome of the pregnancy. According to the results of the study Babyscripts users visited their obstetrician an average of 7.8 times while those who did not use the app visited theirs an average of 10.2 times.

“The positive results of this study are a huge validation of our belief in the power of technology to support mothers and providers without compromising quality,” Anish Sebastian, CEO and co-founder of Babyscripts, said in a press release. “This research shows that mobile health has the potential to deliver precision care to mothers while allowing providers to allocate time to the most vulnerable of their patients, and ultimately save lives.”

—Shahrzad Warkentin

 

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New York City firefighters are famous for a lot of things – shiny red trucks, firehouse chili, steamy pictorial calendars and of course, being the bravest rescue team around. What more can they do? Run a museum dedicated to preserving the city’s fire history. An amazing hidden gem tucked away in an old fire station in SoHo, firefighters from around the world come to visit the New York City Fire Museum. Lucky for us, our aspiring kids get to visit the museum everyday if they want, as it’s open seven days a week. The Fire Museum’s collection will please the entire family – you included.

Top Five Must-Sees

The museum is large enough for exploring, but small enough to see everything before a hunger meltdown. There are five permanent collections on display, but we think you’ll spend the most time checking out the Fire Apparatus, Tools and Uniforms on the ground floor and the Firefighting on Parade upstairs with the kids. Here are the top five displays you cannot miss!

  • Hurst Tool: AKA, the jaws of life, it’s an amazing reminder that firemen save lives.
  • Stokes Basket: A rescue stretcher hanging from the ceiling on first floor.
  • Phoenix 4 Hand Pumpe: Because it takes up much of the second floor!
  • Steinway Hose Carriage: The beautiful details will remind you of royalty.
  • Bolton Quickstep: It’s the oldest hand-pumped fire engine in the collection.

Depending on the age of your kiddos, you may want to skip the 9/11 Memorial that could be difficult to explain on a cheerful Saturday afternoon and the Romance of Firefighters exhibit which consists mostly of historical documents and artwork.

Insider Tips

We suggest parking the stroller and exploring on foot since there are many large and delicate items on display, though strollers are absolutely allowed and there’s an elevator to accommodate. But, call ahead to ensure the elevator is working if stairs may be too much for your family, the elevators have been known to be down. The main entrance leads straight to the gift shop where you purchase tickets for admission. Have a game plan ready for your consumer kiddos as there is so much cool merchandise to entice them! Restrooms are on the second floor landing at the top of the stairs. If your kid loves it – keep in mind that you can throw his next birthday party here.

Cool Stops Nearby

Make a day of your trek to SoHo and visit the nearby Children’s Museum of the Arts to get the creative juices flowing or the Jacques Torres Chocolate Factory for kid-friendly treats like chocolate-covered Cheerios and frozen hot chocolate.

New York City Fire Museum
278 Spring Street
SoHo
Cost: $8/adults, $5/students, seniors and children over 2, Free/children under 2
Online: nycfiremuseum.org

What other places and activities are perfect for the little firefighter in the city? Let us know!

–Sarah K. Choi

Photos courtesy of New York City Fire Museum and Sarah K. Choi