Rural Leader Magazine November 2024

NOVEMBER 2024

Cover Story

24% of Americans say the winner of the 2024 Presidential election helps determine whether ‘I’m rich’, pg. 18

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Contents

Publisher and Editor-in-Chief Kuanita E. Murphy, PhD Rural Leader Magazine, LLC is a digital publication that highlights every day people doing extraordinary things nationally and abroad. www.RuralLeaderMag.com www.GetRuralLeaderMag.com

About Us

Launched in March 2014, Rural Leader Magazine, LLC is a digital publication with a mission to highlight every day people doing extraordinary things in business, education, music, community, art, sports, and leadership nationally and abroad.

Rural Leader Magazine honors exemplary individuals on a variety of levels, such as the 20 under 20 Honors, 40 under 40 Honors, Best Small Town Restaurant, Small Town America’s 100 Most Influential People, the Scholars of Collegiate Distinction, Fifty under Fifty, and the Eagle Elite Club.— Reproduction in any manner, in whole or in part, in English, or other languages, is prohibited without written consent.

Send editorial ideas to Kuanita Murphy, PhD, Editor-in-Chief editor@ruralleadermag.com Contact Us info@ruralleadermag.com editor@ruralleadermag.com ruralleadermagazine@gmail.com

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7 Over half of Americans choose their benefits by price during open enrollment 9 Hope amid the chaos: Good neighbors rebuild and support each other after hurricanes 11 How holiday shopping is changing in the digital age 13 Clinical trials are needed to develop new medicines for children and teens living with seizures 15 How to improve your kids’ experiences on social media

COVER STORY 18 24% of Americans say the winner of the 2024 Presidential election helps determine whether ‘I’m rich’ 20 Empowering women with affordable wellness solutions for total well-being 21 ‘Constantly stressed out’: A woman’s battle with excess cortisol 25 How early screening for type 1 diabetes and follow up monitoring can help you plan for the future

Tell us what you think about our publications, if you have a great idea for a story, or to just share. We may print your comments in Rural Leader Magazine. By sending us your comments, you’re giving permission to call you for an interview. Please be sure to include your name, address, email address, and phone number so we can reach you. Write to us at info@RuralLeaderMag.com—

Editor’s Note Dear Readers, Inside this issue, there are a number of great articles about leadership best practices, building positive self-esteem and productivity! We hope you enjoy this issue.

As always, I hope you enjoy this issue and continue to follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and LinkedIn. Thanks again for your continual support!

Sincerely, Kuanita E. Murphy, PhD Publisher/Editor-in-Chief

What you do matters. @RuralLeaderMag

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Over half of Americans choose their benefits by price during open enrollment New Empower research explores the annual process and what matters most to American workers Over half of Americans (53%) report that cost is the primary driver for choosing benefits during open enrollment, and 35% of Millennials (27% of people overall) enroll in the least expensive option regardless of what the plans offer, according to research from Empower, a leader in financial planning, investing and advice.

Some 41% say they would have made different benefit elections if they had a better understanding of the options. Less than half of younger generations know where to find the information and details needed to make decisions about their benefits (44% of Gen Zers, 50% of Millennials). Fewer than 2 in 5 (38%) Americans feel that the open enrollment process is easy and user-friendly, and 37% admit to feeling overwhelmed when it comes to selecting benefits.

Beyond healthcare (70%), dental (53%) and vision plans (45%), Americans rank access to retirement plans (45%) and financial advice (24% overall, 42% Gen Z) among the most important employer benefits.

“Our study shows that Gen Zers are especially craving financial advice, and it tops their wish list of workplace benefits,” says Rebecca Rickert, head of communications at Empower. “From a retirement plan to financial coaching, plus concrete safeguards like an emergency savings account, people highly value benefits that directly support their financial happiness.”

Americans have ideas for how to make the open enrollment process better. Nearly half (48%), including 60% of Baby Boomers and 53% of Gen Xers,

would like to see a side-by-side comparison of plans and benefits, a clear explanation of pricing differences among plans (46%), and better pricing on plan options (44%). One in five (21%) say a longer enrollment period would improve the process.

More findings: * HSA-a-day: 1 in 4 (24%) Americans (27% of men and 21% of women) have money in a Health Savings Account (HSA). Just half of people (50%) say they understand what an HSA is, with more Gen Xers (57%) and fewer Gen Zers (40%) familiar with the option. About 1 in 5 (21%) have used their HSA benefit so far this year. * Roll call: One in 5 (20%) overall do not enroll in their employer’s benefit plan, and the likelihood of opting out is even greater for younger generations: 1 in 4 Gen Zers (26%) and Millennials (27%) do not enroll in their employer’s plan, compared with just 16% of Gen Xers and 15% of Baby Boomers. * Time saver: Time is Money to many people, and more of it might make for an improved open enrollment process, too: Just 39% feel the open enrollment window is long enough.— About the study The Empower “Open Enrollment” study is based on online survey responses from 1,237 Americans ages 18+ fielded by YouGov from September 27-30, 2024.

The survey is weighted to be nationally representative of U.S. adults (aged 18+).

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Hope amid the chaos: Good neighbors rebuild and support each other after hurricanes Recent natural disasters have affected people across the United States. For some, dangerous storms have significantly impacted their lives and property.

The greatest concern is everyone’s safety. Next, it’s assessing cleanups and addressing damage.

The insurance industry plays a critical role in the cleanup and response efforts for people impacted by storms like Hurricanes Helene and Milton.

One company making a difference is State Farm®.

Alongside 19,000 agents across the country, they have the State Farm Catastrophe Response Team and fleet, the largest in the insurance industry.

These teams are deployed and staged early for strategic response once the storms pass. Trailers and RVs serve as on-the-spot claims offices, complete with workstations, computers, tents, power generators and satellite access for phone and internet communications.

State Farm teams also offer support, guidance and assistance during critical times when customers need them most, diligently handling claims and providing assistance during the recovery and rebuilding process. Based on covered damages, an advance on claim payments can be provided to customers to meet immediate needs such as temporary housing, transportation and food.

Here are some examples of this support in action: Asheville, North Carolina: State Farm Agent Rebecca Sandoval was in the middle of the crisis following Hurricane Helene. She immediately set up satellite communication and provided food and shelter for 8 of her displaced neighbors despite losing power and water herself.

She also did what it took to open her State Farm office - getting drinking water, power cables, charging devices, food and any supplies needed to open her doors and offer help, hugs, support and basic necessities to those she serves.

Despite her own personal losses and property damage, she showed up every day to help customers.

Her team describes her as a warrior who is helping them find the joy in the moment.

Nearby is Claims Appraiser Jeff Haney, who has been without power and water but is busy volunteering cutting trees off the roads so first responders can get through. He’s distributing water and cooking meals for others to make a difference.

Easley, South Carolina State Farm claims employee Rodney Johnson found himself wearing two hats - chief of the local volunteer fire department and State Farm appraiser.

Recently, he started his day at 4:00 a.m. removing a downed tree and then returned home to take claims calls.

While without power for the week, he used the firehouse generator and worked from his car using the phone charger. “It was important for me to find any way I could to start helping customers as soon as possible. Our goal is to serve customers and help get their lives back on track. That doesn’t happen without us doing our jobs.”

Greenville and Columbia, South Carolina: Claims appraiser Isaac Burgess started working as soon as possible after the storms, using his phone as a hot spot since his power was out.

Appraiser Antwone Mack pulled out the grill and fryer so he could feed his neighbors through the power outage, because he said, “Being boots on the ground calms people down.”

Claims appraiser Adrian Hargett from Georgia put it best: “I see working for State Farm as similar to that of a first responder, because our customers need us to get back on their feet. Even though we may not have all our needs met, the customers still need us to help them,” he said.

Learn more at statefarm.com.—

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How holiday shopping is changing in the digital age

By Lisa Grayston, vice president of Commerce Operations, Coveo The holiday season is a time most retailers, and people who love celebrating and gift-giving, look forward to above all. While making predictions may seem risky, a number of indicators point to a jolly holiday season for shoppers and retailers alike this year. To get our finger on the pulse of 2024 shoppers, Coveo conducted an annual holiday shopping outlook report, “Gift or Grinch? Unwrapping This Season’s Shopper Spending Plans,” based on a survey of 4,000 consumers in the U.S. and U.K., in partnership with Arlington Research. Going a step further, we compared those shoppers’ views with retailer perceptions from last year’s holiday report surveying retail executives from 92 U.S.-based retailers, most with revenues above $250M. The upshot? Many approaches top retailers are pursuing to improve retail sales - optimizing Black Friday/Cyber Week events, using AI to offer shoppers personalized recommendations and maximizing promotions to improve shopper loyalty - also create what shoppers want: opportunities to find the perfect gifts for everyone on their list while scoring great deals.

2024 consumer shopping outlook Over three-fourths of surveyed shoppers (76%) say they plan to maintain or increase gift purchases this year, which retailers will be happy to hear. In fact,

59% of shoppers say they plan to cut down on everyday purchases to prioritize their gifting budgets.

While the 2023 retailer survey found that most retailers (84%) feel consumers can get deals anytime, the majority of retailers (58%) believe holiday events remain a powerful source of revenue, with 76% of the above-average retail performers supporting this idea.

Retailers say they approach the shopping peak as a coordinated effort to create brand excitement, and shoppers agree.

In the Coveo 2024 Holiday Shopping Report, 68% of U.S. shoppers said they plan to shop at one or more stores on Black Friday or Cyber Monday, with big box/department stores being the top holiday shopping category. Electronic stores (37%) and fashion/apparel (36%) were the top two shopping choices for Black Friday or Cyber Monday.

Generative AI and the online shopping experience There’s no question AI has changed - and will continue changing - how we shop. For retailers, that means learning how technology can create a positive user experience that also drives sales and builds brand loyalty. For consumers, this means making the search for the perfect gift seamless: a quicker, more personalized, more convenient and satisfying way to shop.

The Coveo 2024 Holiday Shopping Report found digital shopping continuing its upward trend, with GetRuralLeaderMag.com | NOVEMBER 2024 11

80% of shoppers finding special offers purely through digital channels (email, social media, online search and online marketplaces). Shoppers appreciate shopping assistance, with 61% of consumers saying that pre-set search categories like “gifts for dad” or “gifts under $50” are helpful. Nearly one in three shoppers (31%) also say having generative AI provide specific holiday gifting recommendations would be useful rising to nearly half (44%) for millennials.

When it comes to online shopping, shoppers are only a browser window away from a better experience. Shoppers expect personalized and relevant experiences, similar to what they would get from a knowledgeable store associate. Only AI can effectively help companies successfully deliver individualized, trusted and connected experiences at a scale that meets and exceeds people’s expectations. And if you add GenAI to the mix, you can not only provide shoppers with answers, but you can provide them with a deeper level of advice - such as which lotion is best for your particular skin type or problem area.

Offers and promotions tailor-made for success The Coveo 2024 Holiday Shopping Report also found an impressive 90% of shoppers are open to adding items to their existing orders during the holidays, presenting a golden opportunity for retailers to boost sales. Offers like free shipping, relevant special promotions and personalized recommendations also delight shoppers by helping them find the perfect gift while maximizing value.

When this year’s survey asked consumers what

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would compel them to add to an existing order when shopping online, “Meeting the minimum spend to get free shipping” was the top answer (62%). The second highest response was, “Relevant special offers popping up” (48%), followed by “Recommendations for family members” and “Recommendations for other items” (both 26%).

Top-performing retailers from the 2023 study recognized this growing interest in receiving relevant personalized offers. Clearly on track with what today’s shoppers expect, 90% of retail executive respondents said the ability to provide personalized offers was moving from “nice-to-have” to “must-have.”

The surveys of both retailers and consumers make it clear that “one-size-fits-all” thinking no longer motivates sales. In today’s digital, AI-powered shopping landscape, it’s crucial to offer increasingly personalized offers and deals both to please consumers and to stay competitive. Business success during the busy holiday season means creating deliberate, hyper-personalized, focused strategies that reach and delight each consumer, wherever they are on their shopping journey.

—To learn how Coveo helps businesses make the most of AI in today’s digital shopping environment, check out the free ebook at Coveo.com.

Clinical trials are needed to develop new medicines for children and teens living with seizures Epilepsy at any age can be challenging to navigate, even more so when a patient is a young child or teen. Some medications can help manage seizures for many patients. However, one-third of children with newly diagnosed epilepsy fail the first antiseizure medication they were prescribed. These patients may experience seizures even when taking their medications as prescribed.

The impact of seizures on children and teens Seizures may be a frightening experience for a child. When their symptoms can’t be controlled by medication, pediatric patients with seizures can develop lifelong challenges.

“I’ve witnessed firsthand the negative impact seizures can have on the quality of life of children and teens,” said Sunita Misra, M.D., Ph.D., and chief medical officer at SK Life Science, a company that develops treatments for seizure disorders.

During her career, Dr. Misra has cared for drug-resistant pediatric epilepsy patients. “When traditional medications are unsuccessful in managing seizures,

young patients and their families must contend with health challenges that affect a child’s ability to thrive academically, socially and emotionally,” explained Dr. Misra.

For young children, seizures may disrupt a child’s brain development, which can lead to a serious impact on their lives. According to the Epilepsy Foundation, seizures can stymie a child’s academic achievements and lead to emotional and behavioral issues.

Also, because seizures aren’t predictable, a child may experience anxiety and distress, preventing them from fully engaging in school and social activities. The unpredictability can also be challenging for caregivers to maintain jobs, impacting the financial well-being of families, which can cause more anxiety for a child and their loved ones.

Teens living with seizure disorders can feel left out when it comes to adolescent milestones. For example, getting a driver’s license is a rite of passage, representing independence, maturity and freedom.

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Adolescents contending with uncontrolled seizures generally cannot obtain their license, which can make them feel left out, isolated from their peers and dependent on others.

How clinical trials may help Researchers are constantly conducting studies to try to develop new or improved treatments that can address the unmet needs of pediatric patients living with seizures.

For example, SK Life Science is currently enrolling patients in three clinical trials investigating a potential treatment for teens with primary generalized tonic-clonic (PGTC) seizures and young children with partial-(focal) onset seizures.

The PGTC clinical trial is a global Phase 3 study activated in the U.S. as well as 11 other countries.

This trial recruits pediatric patients between the ages of 12 and 17 who continue to have PGTC seizures despite traditional medications.

The remaining two trials focus on pediatric par-

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tial-onset seizures. The Phase 1 trial is an open-label pharmacokinetics study that is currently recruiting patients between the ages of 2 to 5 in the U.S., South Korea, Hungary and Spain. Meanwhile, the Phase 3 trial is an open-label safety study also recruiting in the U.S., South Korea, Hungary and Spain, as well as Australia and Poland.

“At SK Life Science, we are currently working to provide alternatives for younger patients,” said Dr. Misra. “If you are a parent of an adolescent diagnosed with PGTC or of a toddler or young child with partial-onset seizures, you may want to speak with your doctor to see if your child can participate in these trials.” To learn more, visit www.sklifescienceinc.com.—

How to improve your kids’ experiences on social media As kids retreat back indoors after a long summer outside, back-to-school season provides a good opportunity for parents to revisit how their children are using social media to stay connected with their friends.

If heading back-to-school wasn’t already an emotional experience for kids, a new global survey commissioned by LG Electronics found social media can be a source of anxiety for young people. Almost half of the respondents (45%) reported their social media feeds consist of an equal or greater amount of negative rather than positive content. In fact, more than 1 in 4 (28%) claimed negative content on social media feeds has increased their anxiety, and 1 in 5 (20%) said it has made them unhappy.

While it can be normal to worry how social media impacts your child’s mental health - especially if you struggle to limit their time spent on social media - there are simple ways your child can adjust their feeds to provide more positive scrolling experiences.

Social media expert and information science professor Casey Fiesler, Ph.D., explains how algorithms affect the content everyone sees.

“Algorithms determine what users see on social media by predicting content they’re likely to engage with based on past engagement,” said Fiesler. “These algorithms can send anyone down specific niches for good and bad. Research shows that it’s possible to quickly go down negative rabbit holes and encounter harmful content.”

How can you help your kids enjoy the positive benefits of social media - like connecting with friends and family, being entertained and sharing happy moments - without experiencing potential harm?

Here are concrete actions that can help your kids enjoy what’s good about social media.

Model good behavior It’s often said kids pay more attention to what you do than what you say. With that in mind, consider how you use social media. Are you glued to your feed for hours? Do you vocalize negative content you’re seeing?

Notice how much you’re scrolling, and what you say about it. Can you share positive, upbeat content with your kids instead of the negative? If you do see something negative, consider how you communicate the feelings it brought up for you and why you chose GetRuralLeaderMag.com | NOVEMBER 2024 15

not to interact with it.

Open the conversation By talking about what you see on social media and how it makes you feel, you’re opening a conversation with your kids - and letting them know you’re there to listen when they have feelings about what they see.

Ask them what they enjoy about social media and what they don’t. What do they do when they encounter something that makes them uncomfortable or sad? Listening is crucial to keep communication channels open.

Find workable limits While it may be impossible to completely prevent your kid from using social media, you can impose limits. Your home’s Wi-Fi router likely has features allowing you to control when your kids have access to the internet and the ability to ban sites. You may want to ensure they’re interacting with social media in common areas rather than spending too much time alone with internet access.

It’s also recommended to keep phones and other devices out of bedrooms, to limit social media exposure as well as promoting a good night’s sleep. Need kids to wake up early? Use an old-fashioned alarm clock.

How much control you impose will be based on your child’s age and other considerations unique to your family. Again, talking with your kids is the best way to ensure they know the pitfalls and red flags they should be aware of online.

Improve their feeds LG is tackling negative content on social media by helping more people discover upbeat, positive and optimistic content through its new “Optimism Your

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Feed” playlist. This is a simple way to help reset your kids’ and your own social feeds, inviting more uplifting content you can feel good about.

“This is one way you can exert some control over what your social media algorithm serves you,” explained Fiesler. “When you engage with optimistic content, it’s kind of like telling the algorithm, ‘I want more of this,’ and as a result you might see more positive content the next time you start scrolling.”

The “Optimism Your Feed” playlist includes original content from global influencers and content creators known for their positive content like Victoria Browne, Tina Choi and Josh Harmon. Featuring 20 short-form videos, when interacted with, the playlist is designed to help pull more positive content into your feed. This is part of the Life’s Good campaign that LG introduced last year to inspire and encourage people to approach life with an optimistic attitude.

As social media continues to be an integral part of everyone’s lives, by being more conscious about what you and your kids interact with, you’ll be choosing to bring stronger optimism, balance and happiness to your lives this school year.

Explore the “Optimism Your Feed” playlist on LG’s global TikTok channel @lge_lifesgood and YouTube channel @LGGlobal.—

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COVER STORY

24% of Americans say the winner of the 2024 Presidential election helps determine whether ‘I’m rich’

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Beyond the U.S. economy, one in two Americans believe the outcome of the 2024 Presidential election will directly impact their own personal finances, according to new research from Empower, a leader in financial planning, investing, and advice. In fact, a quarter (24%) say that the winner of the election helps determine “whether I’m rich or not” - a belief more firmly held by the Middle Class - reaching 27% for those with an income $50k-$100k, compared to 22% for those making under $50k; and 23% for people with incomes greater than $100k.

Americans can count the ways they’re invested in this year’s election, with 42% saying the amount of money they have will be tangibly more or less depending on who wins. One third (33%) say their “Wallet Power” - or their overall ability to spend, save, and invest - will either shrink (33%) or increase (31%). More than a third (34%) believe the Presidential election is a major predictor of their retirement timeline and financial security, with 30% saying the winner will impact those plans, causing them to work longer, or have a shorter retirement (40% Gen Z, 39% Millennials).

“The adage is that ‘all politics is local’ - and when it comes to money, it hits very close to home, with many Americans seeing a direct link between their own prosperity and the highest office in the land,” says Rebecca Rickert, head of communications at Empower. “From their retirement timeline to their account balances, people feel there is a lot riding on the outcome of the election in terms of their own financial happiness.”

Chief among the issues at stake, many Americans (42%) believe the winner of the Presidential election will get inflation and prices under control, making things more affordable (47% men, 38% women) at a time when many Americans say they’re feeling “The Big Shrink.” One third (33%) say the winner of the Presidential election will make it easier to reach their personal financial goals, such as the 33% who say the victor will make it more affordable to buy a home (42% Millennials).

The money moves on the ballot: People say they’ll make concrete money moves based on who wins: 41% will add more money to their emergency savings, save more cash (41% overall, 48% Millennials), and be more frugal with their spending (45%).

More Americans say they are closely following the 2024 Presidential race than the stock market (67% vs. 33%), and half (53%) agree that uncertainty about the outcome of the Presidential election impacts the markets. One in four (23%) will invest more in the stock market based on the outcome of the Presiden-

tial election (32% Millennials) or change their asset allocation (34% Millennials). Nearly 1 in 5 (18%) plan to take more drastic measures, and say they will withdraw their money/liquidate their investments (27% Millennials).

More findings: * It’s a tie for the economy: People are split on which direction the economy will turn based on the outcome of the election: 30% predict an economic recession, while 32% say it will cause an economic boom. Still, a majority (67%) are worried about the state of the economy depending on who wins the Presidential election. * The jobs report: 57% say the job market will be affected by the winner of the Presidential election, though 29% say they are worried about job security regardless of the outcome. * Who wants to talk politics...at work?: 33% feel more comfortable asking for a raise at work than talking politics with their coworkers. Still, in general, people would rather talk politics (53%) than about their own personal finances (35%). * Bonus round: 31% say the winner of the Presidential election will affect their employer’s/company’s financial performance, and 22% think the winner of the Presidential election will affect their work bonus (33% of Millennials). * Clocking in: Nearly 1 in 5 (19%) admit they’ll be less productive at work during the Presidential election (29% Gen Z, 27% Millennials). A third will take time off from work on Election Day to vote (41% Millennials) and will spend a large amount of time watching the Presidential election proceedings at work (34% overall, 42% Millennials). * Retirement ready or not: Inflation and rising prices (45%), the state of the economy (37%), and access to a retirement plan (23%) are top factors people say influence their ability to retire on time and securely, which is one reason they remain core issues in the election. Still, voters are mixed about how the 2024 Presidential election will affect their retirement: 26% say they will never be able to retire; 29% overall say they’ll have more money in retirement (35% men, 24% women; 38% Millennials). Thinking about the 2024 election results, many remain optimistic about the future: 31% overall say they’ll likely be more financially secure in retirement.

Visit The Currencyâ„¢ to read Empower’s full research report, “The Ticket: Money and Politics.”—

*ABOUT THE STUDY: Empower’s “The Ticket: Money and Politics” study is based on online survey responses from 2,200 Americans ages 18+ fielded by Morning Consult between July 22-24, 2024. The survey is weighted to be nationally representative of U.S. adults (aged 18+).

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‘Constantly stressed out’: A woman’s battle with excess cortisol For Janice, health and fitness were always priorities. Growing up in Jamaica, she’d been a sprinter for her high school track team. After moving to the U.S. in her mid-20s, she built a successful career in sales while raising two young children. Although she was busy, she maintained a healthy and active lifestyle. In fact, other than having slightly elevated blood pressure, she was the picture of good health.

Yet things changed dramatically for Janice when she reached her mid-40s. Her blood pressure escalated significantly and no longer responded to medication. Her menstrual cycles became unpredictable.

Most unsettling of all were the alarming changes in her appearance. Her face swelled and she gained a significant amount of weight around the center of her body. “People asked me if I was on steroids,” Janice recalls. Her legs became emaciated and weak. She developed a fatty hump between the shoulders (buffalo hump) and grew so much facial hair she had to start shaving it. She fought constant lethargy during the day, but then would be unable to sleep during the night.

Looking back, she remembers, “I was constantly stressed out. I didn’t look well, and I didn’t feel well.”

“My blood sugar would just skyrocket.” Things came to a head one afternoon. Feeling unwell, Janice experienced a dizzy spell and fell while getting out of the shower. Unable to move or see clearly, she was rushed to the emergency room, where her blood sugar was measured at 1,000 mg/dL - a level so high it could trigger a diabetic coma. She was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes and discharged with a new regimen of medications and lifestyle modifications.

Despite following her doctor’s instructions, Janice’s problems persisted. “Even when eating healthy and taking all my meds, my blood sugar would just skyrocket after meals.” She soon learned her kidneys and heart were also being impacted.

“Nobody had bothered to put it all together.”

Janice was on up to 25 different medications, but her symptoms continued, and her frustration grew. “I saw so many doctors - nearly every kind of -ologist you can think of,” she recounts.

One day, a chance conversation with someone

else’s healthcare provider led to a breakthrough. After mentioning her health struggles in passing, the doctor suggested she might have Cushing’s syndrome.

Janice began to research Cushing’s syndrome (also known as hypercortisolism) and was struck by how similar the symptoms seemed to her own. She found a local endocrinologist, shared her suspicions about Cushing’s syndrome, and a combination of blood tests confirmed her theory: Her cortisol levels were highly elevated. Further testing revealed a growth on her pituitary gland was causing the excess cortisol.

“For so long,” she recalls, “nobody had bothered to put it all together.”

“Finally, I look and feel normal again.”

With her Cushing’s syndrome properly diagnosed, Janice underwent surgery to remove her pituitary growth. Her recovery was difficult, but since receiving treatment she has grown stronger, and her Cushing’s symptoms are better. She remembers feeling that “at last, there was light at the end of the tunnel.”

While Janice’s journey has not been easy, today she is much healthier. She has lost 50 pounds, her hypertension is under control, her blood sugar has returned to normal levels, her kidney function is stable, and she has resumed her active lifestyle.

When speaking with other patients who face similar symptoms, she urges them to be proactive in their care. “A lot of people are walking around with Cushing’s and don’t know it. It’s everyone’s responsibility to educate doctors so they can help new patients.”

She cites her own experience as living proof, adding: “Finally, I look and feel normal again. And I’m so grateful.”

If you suspect you may have hypercortisolism or Cushing’s syndrome, talk to your doctor.

You can visit corcept.com to learn more about how Corcept Therapeutics is unlocking the potential of cortisol modulation to revolutionize the treatment of serious diseases.

This article is the experience of one person and is not medical advice. Consult a medical professional for medical advice, diagnoses or treatment.—

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How early screening for type 1 diabetes and follow up monitoring can help you plan for the future Sponsored by Sanofi

Life often brings surprises, and many can be welcome. However, sometimes being caught off guard can be scary or overwhelming. This is especially true when it comes to your health, for example receiving an unexpected diagnosis like that of type 1 diabetes.

People often find out they have type 1 diabetes when they are in a later stage (stage 3) of the disease, which is when clinical symptoms begin to occur.

In stage three, the body is no longer able to make enough or any insulin which causes blood sugar levels to rise much higher than the normal range.

What happens next is lifelong dependence on insulin injections to maintain target blood sugar levels - and it may carry a heavy burden for individuals and their families alike.

Karim Jones and her family know this feeling all too well. Unknowingly, Jones’ daughter was experiencing tell-tale symptoms of type 1 diabetes, including extreme thirst, unexplained weight loss, and fatigue. When they went to the doctor, Jones remembered a previous conversation she had with a friend and asked the doctor to test her daughter for type 1 diabetes. It turned out her daughter not only had type 1 diabetes, but she was also in diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA), a life-threatening complication of type 1 diabetes.

Jones immediately received a deluge of information about managing her daughter’s blood sugar levels, the impact of diet, insulin dosing, and more, which made her feel overwhelmed and uncertain.

When the stakes are as high as supporting a child’s health, more time to learn how to manage the disease can be extremely valuable. Early detection of type 1 diabetes is possible through screening and this advanced information can provide time to prepare for the future - but early screening for type 1 diabetes is relatively uncommon prior to diagnosis due largely to a lack of awareness. The1Pledge.com has more information on why early screening can be important.

“Knowing in advance, even by just one month, would have made an important difference for our entire family and given us the time to prepare in a way that wasn’t so rushed,” Jones shares. “Type 1 diabetes management requires countless extra decisions each day that I’m responsible for as a caregiver. It’s on me to manage my daughter’s health, and the mental load that goes along with that responsibility is one of the hardest parts.”

Indeed, advanced notice through a blood test that

can detect type 1 diabetes-related autoantibodies early can help families in a multitude of ways, including but not limited to: * Building a multidisciplinary care team of doctors, nurses, nutritionists, and other supportive healthcare providers to meet with (typically every 3-6 months). * Learning more about the disease from that care team to better recognize symptoms when they do arise (stage 3) and potentially reducing the risk of going through DKA by up to 50%. * Developing the skills needed to manage the disease, in the face of up to 10 finger pricks per day to measure blood sugar and an estimated 1,460 insulin injections each year.

“My husband and I agreed that we never wanted to be caught off guard like that again, so after my daughter was diagnosed, our whole family got screened, including our other three children,” Jones notes. “As a parent, you would do anything for your kids, and when I learned screening was an option after my daughter’s diagnosis, I wasn’t going to miss out on an opportunity to know if my family was at risk. Before we got the family screened, I felt like I was living in fear, worried that if my child was thirsty, it might be a red flag; now that we’ve gotten the kids screened, I feel better informed.”

Jones continued: “As a mother who has lived through an unexpected diagnosis, I believe everyone should get screened. About 90% of people diagnosed with type 1 diabetes do not have a family history of the disease, which was the case for my daughter. If it’s fear of knowing that’s stopping you from getting screened, hear me when I say that you don’t want to get to a point where your child is experiencing DKA - that is much, much scarier. Knowing in advance may make a difference for your family.”

Talk to your doctor about screening for type 1 diabetes.

Sanofi does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment - information is provided for educational purposes only. Your doctor is the best source of health information. Talk to your doctor if you have any questions about your health or treatment.

Karim Jones is a paid spokesperson for Sanofi. —

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