Teachers share their sweetest gifts from students and it's a moving lesson in generosity

Some of the most precious gifts come straight from the heart. A former teacher shared an incredible story of a student's selflessness, generosity and thoughtfulness. Nine years ago, the student didn't have a Christmas gift for her, so he opened up a pack of crayons, gave her the purple one, and said "I hope you love it, I know it's your favorite color." Flex those love muscles; share stories that show you care and recognize heartfelt gestures with admiration 😊

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New Immunotherapy Turns Cancer’s Defenses Against It in Breakthrough Animal Study

Scientists at Mount Sinai have unveiled a new type of cancer immunotherapy that doesn’t attack cancer cells directly. Instead, it goes after the tumor’s support system—specifically, the cells that protect cancer from the body’s immune response. The experimental therapy, described in the journal Cancer Cell, uses engineered immune cells to target tumor-associated macrophages, a type of immune cell hijacked by cancer to suppress the body’s defenses. In preclinical trials, this approach dramatically extended survival in mice with metastatic lung and ovarian cancers, with some animals effectively cured. “Tumors act like a walled fortress,” said Dr. Jaime Mateus-Tique, the study’s lead author and a faculty member at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai. “With immunotherapy, we kept running into the same problem—we can’t get past this fortress’s guards. So, we thought: what if we turned the guards into allies?” Those “guards” are macrophages—normally helpful cells that respond to infections and injuries. But inside tumors, they’re reprogrammed to protect cancer cells, suppress immune responses, and help tumors grow and spread. In many cancers, they’re so abundant they outnumber the cancer cells themselves. Mount Sinai’s team designed a modified version of CAR T cell therapy—an approach that uses a patient’s own immune cells, genetically reengineered to fight disease. But instead of targeting cancer cells, the scientists retooled the CAR T cells to seek out and eliminate tumor macrophages. They also built in a payload: IL-12, a potent immune-stimulating molecule that turbocharges the attack by calling in killer T cells. In mice with advanced lung or ovarian cancer, the results were striking. Treated animals lived far longer than untreated ones, and many experienced complete tumor regression. “To see this level of response in aggressive models of metastatic cancer is incredibly promising,” said Dr. Brian Brown, the study’s senior author and Director of the Icahn Genomics Institute. “What’s so exciting is that our treatment converts these cells from protecting the cancer to killing it. We’ve turned foe into ally.” The therapy also sidesteps a common hurdle in cancer treatment: finding the right molecular “tag” on cancer cells. Because this strategy works by transforming the tumor environment itself, it doesn’t rely on identifying specific cancer markers. That gives it the potential to work across a wide range of cancers, including those that haven’t responded to other immunotherapies. Using advanced spatial genomics, the researchers saw that the treatment reshaped the entire tumor environment. Immune-suppressing cells were cleared out. Cancer-killing immune cells flooded in. Still, the scientists stress that the results are preclinical. Human trials are not yet underway, and questions remain about safety, especially when delivering something as potent as IL-12. The next step is to refine the system in mouse models to better control when and where IL-12 is released. “This is not a cure yet,” Brown said. “But it establishes a new way to treat cancer—by targeting the cells that enable it rather than the cancer cells themselves.” The research, supported by NIH grants and private foundations, was conducted by an international team including co-authors from Mount Sinai, the Marc and Jennifer Lipschultz Precision Immunology Institute, and other research centers. Their work may help pave the way for the next generation of CAR T therapies—ones that can finally crack the fortress of solid tumors.

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Freezing Temps, Warm Hearts: Kentucky Family Brings Newborn Calf Indoors to Save Her Life

When temperatures in Mount Sterling, Kentucky, plunged into the single digits last weekend, the Sorrell family didn’t hesitate to bring one very cold and very newborn guest into their home: a baby calf born outside in the freezing weather. “She was just frozen. Her umbilical cord looked like a popsicle,” said Macey Sorrell, speaking from the family’s farm Thursday. “It was just frozen.” Macey’s husband, Tanner, had gone out to check on one of their cows, who was due to give birth. He found the calf already delivered and suffering in the cold. After losing a calf to frostbite last winter, the family acted fast. Tanner carried the calf inside, and Macey got to work. “When we brought her in, she had ice on her. The afterbirth was still on her. I had to wipe all that off,” Macey said. “I took out the blow dryer and warmed her up, and got her all fluffed out.” A few hours later, the calf was nestled on the family’s couch — clean, warm, and cuddling with Macey’s two children, Gregory and Charlee. “They crawled up next to her like it was just the most normal thing,” Macey said. Three-year-old Gregory named the calf “Sally” after the blue Porsche from his favorite movie, Cars. Photos of the cozy cuddle session quickly gained attention after Macey posted them on social media. In one, Gregory is seen lying on the couch with the calf, his 2-year-old sister Charlee beside him. In another, Macey and Tanner are cleaning and feeding the calf, still covered in afterbirth and ice. The family, who keep around three dozen cows on their property, say this kind of thing isn’t unusual for them. “It’s just part of what you do,” Macey said. “We bring animals in when we need to.” Sally spent the night indoors but was strong enough the next morning to be reunited with her mother. She’s doing well, Macey said. “I almost didn’t post the pictures,” she added. “It’s nothing new for us. But people really seemed to love them.”

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Hollywood Legend Catherine O’Hara Leaves Behind a Legacy Of Advocacy And Compassion

On January 30, renowned actress and comedy legend Catherine O’Hara passed away at the age of 71. O’Hara was best known for her unforgettable performances in Home Alone, Beetlejuice, Best in Show, and more recently, the Emmy-winning series Schitt’s Creek and the HBO hit The Studio. Born in Toronto, she brought her singular style of humor, warmth, and emotional depth to every role across a career that spanned nearly five decades. Following news of her passing, tributes poured in from colleagues and fans alike. Pedro Pascal, who starred alongside her in The Last of Us, wrote on Instagram, “Oh, genius to be near you. Eternally grateful. There is less light in my world, this lucky world that had you, will keep you, always. Always.” Beyond her prolific acting work, O’Hara was also widely respected for her philanthropy. She was a long-time supporter of the Terry Fox Foundation, a Canadian charity that has raised over $950 million for cancer research since 1981. Named for Terry Fox, the young athlete who ran across Canada on a prosthetic leg to raise awareness after losing his own leg to cancer, the foundation became a cause close to O’Hara’s heart. In March 2024, she posted a message of encouragement for the annual Terry Fox Run, wearing a shirt with the slogan “No Matter What.” “Keep Terry’s dream alive,” she said at the time. O’Hara also gave generously to causes in the United States, where she lived in recent years. In May 2020, she appeared on a celebrity edition of Who Wants To Be A Millionaire and won $250,000, donating the full amount to Upward Bound House, a Los Angeles nonprofit that helps homeless families transition into permanent housing. “They stay in touch with other homeless shelters, organizations, and agencies in Los Angeles to find homeless families with children,” O’Hara said backstage before the taping. “So instead of separating children from their parents — as if they need that in those moments — they set them up in an apartment.” “They provide them not only a home, but all of their specific needs for that family, for those children, work, school, any kind of counseling, and meals! And within a year, in most cases, they have moved the families out to their own permanent homes.” She remained active in charitable campaigns until the end of her life. In late 2024, she partnered with the University Health Network of Canada to support Parkinson’s disease research, promoting advanced treatments being developed at the Krembil Brain Institute. “I’m Catherine O’Hara, a proud Canadian. I currently reside in the U.S., but that doesn’t stop me from bragging about Canada’s health care,” she said in a fundraising video. “University Health Network is Canada’s number one hospital,” she added. “They are world-class, thanks to their life-changing innovations like implanting devices that stimulate the brain and reduce symptoms of Parkinson’s.” O’Hara’s work with UHN helped raise money and awareness for a condition that affects over 100,000 Canadians and millions globally. The campaign remains open for donations. As fans mourn the loss of a singular talent, her legacy lives on—not just through her iconic characters, but in the lives she touched offscreen. Catherine O’Hara made people laugh, made people feel, and never stopped using her platform to uplift others.

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This Storm-Chased Seal Pup Was Found in a Cornwall Garden and Safely Returned to Sea

A young seal pup surprised residents in Cornwall this week after it was found lounging beside a chicken coop in a private garden, nearly 100 metres from the beach. The pup, estimated to be five or six months old, was discovered in St Loy near St Buryan on Wednesday, after Storm Chandra brought rough seas and flooding to the area. According to the British Divers Marine Life Rescue (BDMLR), the animal likely escaped the stormy surf, crossed the coastal path, and squeezed under a gate before settling in next to the hens. Dan Jarvis from BDMLR said the juvenile seal looked “pretty content” despite its unexpected location. After a physical assessment, the team determined the animal was slightly underweight but otherwise healthy and didn’t require rehabilitation. Still, it couldn’t stay. “It wouldn't be a good idea for it to remain in the garden due to nearby domestic animals,” Jarvis said. There were also concerns the seal wouldn’t be able to navigate its way back to the beach safely, especially in the aftermath of the storm. Rather than release it near the same beach it had fled, BDMLR transported the pup to a more sheltered and safer location along the coast, where it was released back into the sea. Cornwall’s seal hospital has had a busy winter. Jarvis said December saw 31 pups come through the facility—“incredibly busy”—but January, despite the weather, had been “relatively kind for us.” BDMLR continues to monitor seal activity across the region and encourages the public to report unusual sightings, particularly after storms, which can displace young or vulnerable animals from their coastal habitats.

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Puppy’s Adoption Falls Through — Then His Firefighter Rescuer Stepped In

When Pickens County firefighters ran into a burning home last March, they had no idea they were about to save an entire litter of lives. Inside, they found a mother dog curled around her newborn puppies. She had shielded them from the flames, sacrificing her life so they could survive. “She shielded the babies, she lost her life protecting them,” said Jennifer Seigel, founder of the Georgia-based animal rescue Bosley’s Place. Firefighters quickly moved to save the puppies. Lieutenant John Isaac Holaway led the rescue. “Me and my crew went in, they told us what room they were in, whereabout. And I was able to find them because of their mother,” Holaway said. “I just started picking up every puppy that I could, radioed to the chief that I had found them, and then I started passing the puppies out the window.” The pups were split between two rescues, Pup and Cat Company and Bosley’s Place, where they were bottle-fed, cared for, and eventually adopted. One of those adopters was Holaway himself, who took home a pup he named Chief Lou. Months passed. All the puppies found homes. Except for one: Kreed. “Just the other day, I was on social media and saw a post on their site that showed a dog that looked very familiar to me,” said Seigel. “It said he needed a foster and they couldn’t find one.” She reached out to Pup and Cat Company, where she confirmed it was, in fact, one of the same puppies from that night. Kreed’s first adoption had fallen through. “She told me that his first adoption didn’t work out, not because of him, he’s an angel and super sweet,” Seigel said. So she called Lieutenant Holaway, knowing he already had Lou, Kreed’s brother. “I reached out to tell him what was happening,” she said. “And he was like, oh no no no. Let’s get the boys together and see if they get along, and if they do, we’ll foster him.” Holaway didn’t hesitate. After everything that had happened, the connection was too strong to ignore. “To a lot of people, their animals are their family,” Holaway said. “And it’s cool to be able to save anybody. So it was neat saving a whole litter of puppies.” When Kreed and Lou reunited for the first time since the fire, the bond was immediate. “They haven’t seen each other since the house fire,” Seigel said. “So first of all, it was an amazing reunion. And if all goes well, Kreed will go home with Chief Lou.” Holaway described the moment as emotional. “From the picture that I saw of Kreed yesterday, he looked pretty sad, and now he looks real happy,” he said. “Lou’s loving it. They both seem happy, and that makes me happy.” For now, Kreed is being fostered by Holaway. Whether it turns into a forever adoption is still undecided, but the early signs are good. “There’s just a special connection,” Holaway said. “With these dogs, because I rescued them.” Kreed has also found a place at the firehouse, where Lou is already a regular. The dogs provide comfort to the crew, no matter what kind of shift they’ve had. “The guys love it,” Holaway said. “It’s like therapy for them. No matter what kind of day we are having, some snuggles and love from the dog is always a plus.” Seigel says the story is a full-circle moment, and one that reflects the kind of connections her rescue tries to foster. “One of the things about Bosley’s Place that I really love is that when you’re adopting from us, it really feels like you’re family,” she said. “Even though Kreed wasn’t brought up with us, he’s still part of our family. And I’m just so happy. It’s all love, love, love all the way around.” As for what comes next, Holaway is keeping it simple. “We just want to see how it goes,” he said. “As long as he gets a happy home, that’s the most important part.”

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Oregon Launches $17 Million Initiative to Boost Electric Vehicle Adoption and Cut Air Pollution

Oregon is rolling out a new incentive program that pays businesses, nonprofits, and government agencies to swap out diesel vehicles for electric ones. The state’s Department of Environmental Quality has launched a rebate initiative aimed at reducing air pollution by supporting the purchase or lease of medium- and heavy-duty electric vehicles. Backed by $17 million in state funding and a federal grant from the Environmental Protection Agency, the program offers rebates ranging from $2,500 to $120,000 per vehicle, depending on size and weight. "We are really excited to introduce this program and get more electric vehicles on the road, especially in this section of weight classes, and help improve air quality," said Dalton Sheppard, DEQ’s rebate coordinator for medium- and heavy-duty vehicles. The initiative is a key part of Oregon’s broader climate action plan, which includes reducing diesel emissions across the transportation sector. In 2023, the state’s Climate Action Commission laid out a “Roadmap to 2030,” which highlighted cleaner transportation as a central priority. Among the strategies was a focus on financial incentives to speed up adoption of electric vehicles. “We've priced the rebates to bring those prices of the new zero-emission vehicles closer to a price point that their gas or diesel counterpart might be at,” Sheppard explained. “And we really start to see that price difference between the gas or diesel version or the zero-emission version increase as the class of vehicle goes up.” So far, nine applicants have been approved under the new program. According to Sheppard, the response from Oregon-based organizations has been overwhelmingly positive. "They have been showing us a lot of excitement, and they're anticipating buying vehicles, and they have been waiting until the rebate program opens to make those vehicles more appropriate for their business needs," he said. The rebate initiative will continue until the full $17 million has been distributed.

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Ohio Dad Goes Viral, Raising Funds to See Son Compete in Olympic Curling

When Harry Richardson’s son made Team USA in curling, he knew he had to find a way to get to Milan. The problem was money. Harry, a 61-year-old pianist and educator from North Royalton, Ohio, couldn’t afford the trip overseas to see his son, Ben, compete in the 2026 Winter Olympics. But instead of giving up, he got creative. “I was up at 1:30 in the morning watching the game against China,” Harry told People. “Just seeing him celebrate, knowing he was going to the Olympics — it was incredible.” That joy quickly turned to concern. Harry and his wife, both educators, couldn’t make the numbers work. When he sat down to explain the situation to Ben, 27, his son was completely understanding. But Harry wasn’t ready to let it go. He launched a modest GoFundMe campaign with a unique twist: he offered personalized piano recordings as a thank-you to every donor. A professional musician, Harry didn’t feel right asking for help without giving something back. “It felt a little funny asking for money for a vacation, even if it was to support my son,” he said. “So I wanted to give something back, to say thank you in a way that mattered to me.” The fundraiser soon exploded. It went viral on social media and quickly surpassed its goal, raising over $7,500 — enough to bring the family to Milan. Now, Harry and his wife are making plans to attend the round-robin games and semifinals, cheering Ben on in person. “Just to see him do what he loves, in an environment where it can take him this far — that’s what we’re most excited about,” Harry said. “If he wins a gold medal, that’s incredible. But even just being there, cheering him on, is priceless.” Ben’s path to the Olympics has been anything but ordinary. A former boy soprano and cello player, he’s always embraced challenges with intensity and heart. His father says that passion hasn’t changed. “He’s a good guy, a hard worker and just an amazing person,” Harry said. “I couldn’t be more proud of him — or more grateful that we get to share this moment together.” For the Richardson family, this isn’t just about sports. It’s about showing up, being present, and celebrating a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity together. And thanks to the kindness of strangers, that moment is now possible. “This experience has been humbling,” Harry said. “It’s a shining moment in a world that can feel dark sometimes. We can’t thank people enough for helping make it happen.”

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Mattel Honors Juneteenth Icon Opal Lee With Collectible Barbie Doll

Mattel has unveiled a new Barbie doll celebrating Opal Lee, the 99-year-old activist whose decades-long fight helped turn Juneteenth into a federal holiday. Known as the “grandmother” of Juneteenth, Lee has spent most of her life advocating for the recognition of June 19—the day in 1865 when enslaved African Americans in Galveston, Texas, learned they were free, more than two years after the Emancipation Proclamation. In 2016, at age 89, Lee walked from Fort Worth, Texas, to Washington, D.C., to raise awareness. Her efforts helped push Congress to officially recognize Juneteenth as a federal holiday in 2021. “It has been a joy to partner with Barbie on my Inspiring Women doll,” Lee said in a statement. “I hope my story encourages the next generation to never underestimate the power of one voice. As I often say, one person can start a change, and that can change the world.” The new doll captures Lee’s trademark look, featuring glasses, white pants, sneakers, and a blue “Unity Unlimited Opal’s Walk for Freedom” T-shirt, commemorating her historic journey. Nathan Baynard, Mattel’s vice president of Barbie and Dolls, praised Lee’s impact, saying the new figure highlights “the power of purpose in action.” Lee joins other trailblazers in Barbie’s Inspiring Women series, including civil rights icon Rosa Parks, tennis star Venus Williams, and astronaut Sally Ride.

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These Teen Hikers Saved Five Adults and a Dog from a Snowy Trail

Two teenage boys are being praised for rescuing a group of five adults and a dog stranded on Helvellyn in dangerous winter conditions. Caelan, 16, from Blackburn, and Rowan, 15, from Settle, were hiking the Lake District peak when they came across the group, who were ill-equipped for the icy conditions. The adults, wearing jeans and trainers, had become stuck near the exposed Striding Edge ridge. The teenagers took charge and guided the group safely down the mountain, carving steps into the snow to help them descend in a zig-zag pattern toward Red Tarn. Patterdale Mountain Rescue said the outcome “could have been a lot worse” and praised the boys for staying calm and acting quickly. Caelan and Rowan are already planning their next hike in the Lakes this weekend.

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Fort Worth Firefighters Hailed As Heroes For Rescuing Vulnerable During Winter Storm

Fort Worth firefighters are being hailed for their courage and compassion after rescuing several homeless residents stranded in freezing conditions during a winter storm. On Sunday, January 25, the Fort Worth Fire Department’s HOPE Team (Home. Outreach. Prevention. Education.) returned to a homeless encampment they had visited the day before, checking on individuals who had declined shelter transport and instead spent the night under a bridge near East 9th Street in downtown Fort Worth. This time, the residents were ready to leave — but conditions had worsened. The terrain was steep and icy, and four people were without shoes. Their footwear had frozen solid overnight. With temperatures dangerously low, the firefighters made the call to physically carry people up the embankment to safety. For one man in particular, the rescue turned into a life-saving mission. He was visibly shaken and suffering from cold exposure. A firefighter hoisted him onto his back and started up the hill, speaking calmly to reassure him. Midway up, the man began having seizures, likely triggered by hypothermia. The team responded immediately, rushing him to a transport bus, where they began emergency warming procedures and called for paramedics. He experienced multiple seizure episodes before being stabilized and taken to hospital for further treatment. Once he was safe, the team resumed their mission. Everyone else at the camp was helped to shelter, and no one was left behind in the cold. The rescue is part of a broader city-wide effort by the HOPE Team during the ongoing winter storm. In recent days, they’ve made over 300 contacts with vulnerable residents, handed out blankets, gloves, and hand warmers, helped 150 people reach emergency shelters, and reunited 60 others with family or friends able to provide safe housing. In a statement, the Fort Worth Fire Department said every resident counts — and during harsh winter weather, their priority is simple: “We help one another, no matter what.”

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