Health & Wellness

Fairfield, N.J. – October 01, 2026 -- An estimated 80 to 100 million Americans have liver disease, and many don't know it because early symptoms can be subtle. The American Liver Foundation (ALF) is marking October as National Liver Awareness Month and Liver Cancer Month with a slate of free tools, including a one-minute online risk quiz.

A free quiz flags liver disease and cancer risk in under a minute.

The quiz is available in English at thinkliverthinklife.org/quiz and in Spanish at thinkliverthinklife.org/prueba. ALF notes that hepatocellular carcinoma, the most common form of liver cancer, is one of the fastest-growing causes of cancer-related death in the U.S., with incidence rates more than tripling since 1980 and death rates doubling over the same period.

New Orleans – October 01, 2026 -- HOTWORX, the infrared sauna fitness franchise with more than 900 studios worldwide, has kicked off its annual Workouts for Heroes campaign, running October 1 through November 30. All proceeds will go to the National Breast Cancer Foundation's Military Women's Patient Relief Fund, which covers non-medical expenses like childcare, lodging and transportation for military women undergoing breast cancer treatment.

Pink retail items fund the cause dollar by dollar

HOTWORX is selling limited-edition Pink Yoga Towels, Pink Yoga Mats and Pink Yoga Mat Holders at studios nationwide. The company will donate $1 for every towel and mat sold, plus $0.14 for every Pink Yoga Mat Slap Band purchased.

New York – October 01, 2026 -- Silk brand LILYSILK is renewing its five-year partnership with the National Breast Cancer Foundation (NBCF) through a new campaign called "A Bloom of Care," tied to a fresh sleepwear collection.

The brand has donated over $82,000 to breast cancer support since 2022.

Since the partnership began in 2022, LILYSILK has contributed $82,057.38 to NBCF through monetary and gift-in-kind donations and cause-marketing campaigns. That funding has helped provide breast health education to 32 women, support 144 hospital partners, fund 23 mammograms, assist 123 patients in navigating care, and engage 1,558 volunteers.

Garland, TX – October 01, 2026 -- Crunch Fitness is opening a new $5 million, 34,589-square-foot gym in Garland, Texas, with a one-day-only "Cyber Sale" on Saturday, October 3rd, offering memberships starting at $9.99 per month with $0 enrollment fees.

The deal is available exclusively online at CrunchGarland.com for 24 hours. The first 500 people to sign up get a free limited-edition t-shirt, plus discounts on personal and small group training.

The club hosts an in-person party alongside the online sale

Crunch Garland, located at 825 West Centerville Road, will run a Cyber Sale Party from 9am to 5pm on October 3rd, featuring facility tours, giveaways, and fitness demonstrations for the community.

Denver – October 01, 2026 -- The U.S. Center for SafeSport has released video clips, interview access, and practical guidance for parents and coaches to recognize and prevent bullying in youth sports, timed to Bullying Prevention Month in October.

Short video clips feature SafeSport's education chief addressing signs of bullying

The clips, available for download by accredited media, feature Monica Rivera, SafeSport's Vice President for Education & Research. Topics include spotting signs and symptoms of bullying, talking to kids about the issue, and steps to take if a parent suspects their child is the one engaging in bullying behavior.

"To truly prevent bullying, we need to recognize when a young person may be struggling and respond to those needs before it shows up as harmful behavior," Rivera said. She added that early intervention, accountability, and support can interrupt cycles of harm and create safer environments for athletes.

Alpharetta – October 01, 2026 -- Avanos Medical has launched an over-the-counter version of its Game Ready cold and compression system in the United States, letting consumers buy the recovery technology without a prescription for the first time.

The OTC system uses the same core technology as the prescription version

The new consumer system delivers therapeutic cooling and compression to reduce soreness and support recovery after exercise, sports, or everyday activity. Avanos says the OTC product shares the same core technology and functionality as its prescription-only Game Ready system, though labeling, packaging, and indications have been adjusted for general consumer use.

The prescription system will continue to be used for clinical, post-surgical, and healthcare provider-directed treatment, while the new OTC version is marketed for general recovery and wellness.

New York – October 01, 2026 -- The Ad Council has launched The Secret to Motherhood, a new maternal mental health campaign urging new and expecting mothers to prioritize their own well-being as part of caring for their children.

One in five mothers face a maternal mental health condition

According to the CDC, these conditions are the leading cause of pregnancy-related deaths in the U.S. Despite this, three in four cases go untreated, largely due to stigma surrounding the topic.

A new PSA series called 'What's Her Secret?' anchors the effort

Developed with Mischief USA on a pro-bono basis, the campaign is available in English and Spanish and includes broadcast and digital creative, strategic partnerships and talent activations. All materials direct mothers to a resource hub at LoveYourMind.com/moms, also available in Spanish at ConAmorTuMente.com/mama.

New York – September 30, 2026 -- Mediaplanet has launched its Future of Healthy Living Campaign, a health-awareness initiative distributed today as a magazine insert in USA TODAY and online at the campaign's digital hub, futureofpersonalhealth.com.

The campaign gathers editorial contributions from organizations including the American Society for Radiation Oncology, the American Public Health Association, the American Podiatric Medical Association, and the American Academy of Family Physicians.

Actor Ricco Ross fronts the cover story on prostate health stigma.

Ross discusses why conversations about prostate health should be normalized and urges men not to delay talking with their healthcare providers about appropriate screening.

Evanston – September 30, 2026 -- A new Mather Institute study finds that older adults who age alone and own pets report significant boosts to physical activity, emotional wellbeing and social connection, with dog owners showing the strongest gains.

The online survey of 900 solo agers aged 55 and older found that 76% reported improved emotional wellbeing, 62% reported reduced stress and 45% reported increased physical activity. Nearly half said pets help reduce loneliness, and a third said pets led to more social interactions through daily walks and outdoor time.

Dog owners show the biggest activity gains among solo agers

Dog owners reported physical activity levels 42% higher than pet-free adults, the study found. Cat owners also described frequent short bursts of movement tied to feeding, play and household routines. Solo agers without pets recorded the lowest weekly activity levels of any group surveyed.

Dallas – September 30, 2026 -- Advance ER is opening its lobbies to community voting for its annual Staff Pumpkin Decorating Contest, with ballots open from Monday, October 5 through Sunday, October 11 at its Park Cities and Preston Hollow/Galleria locations.

Staff spent 14 days transforming blank pumpkins into displays

Undecorated pumpkins were set out in both lobbies on September 16, giving Advance ER staff two weeks to carve and paint their entries before public voting begins.

Families get treats while they vote

During voting week, kids can pick up candy and small gifts, and adults receive a complimentary first-aid kit for the car, limited to one per family. The first five children to vote at each location get a free squishy toy, also limited to one per family.