Observed annually on February 4, World Cancer Day is a global initiative to both raise awareness of the disease and mobilize people to take positive action in helping curb preventable cancer deaths and improve access to life-saving care. Led by the Union for International Cancer Control, the day originated in 2000 at the World Summit […]
Late Brazilian soccer star Pelé, dubbed “The King” for his legendary performances on the pitch, won his first World Cup in 1958 at age 17. He went on to take home two more and earn a Guinness World Record for the most career goals before retiring from the sport (referred to as football in many […]
Navjot Sawhney — the creator of a hand-cranked washing machine designed for low-income communities — is being recognized for making the world a more hygienic, sustainable, and equitable place. On January 26, Sawhney received the Points of Light Award from U.K. Prime Minister Rishi Sunak. This award honors outstanding volunteers and inspirational changemakers, and Sawhney […]
For the billions of people who live in the Northern Hemisphere, the winter months usher in frigid weather: from heavy rains to blustery blizzards. While these cold, outdoor temperatures can make for a cozy setting of sitting fireside at home and drinking hot tea, the repetition of weeks spent indoors can feel monotonous. In the […]
You may have heard of the bystander effect, the psychological theory that some people are less likely to step in to confront a bully when there are others around. According to a November study published in the journal Animal Cognition, domestic pigs have their own set of conflict resolution behaviors that also involve bystanders. Researchers […]
There is an abundance of fish species in the River Mersey once more. An iconic part of the United Kingdom’s topography, River Mersey separates Lancashire in the north from Cheshire in the south. In recent years, the once-heavily polluted river has become one of Europe’s biggest environmental success stories. “It’s the best environmental good news […]
Of the roughly 23,000 children who age out of the foster care system each year, around 20% become instantly homeless at age 18. A nonprofit in Oklahoma is working to help them and other unhoused young adults find shelter by offering tiny homes at a low rate. The organization, aptly named Pivot, aims to be […]
High schoolers in Tennessee have made headlines for an innovative act of kindness: creating a robotic hand for their classmate. When Sergio Peralta, 15, started the year as a new student at Hendersonville High School, he tried to conceal that he was born with a right hand that didn’t fully form. “In the first days […]
Editorial update (May 8, 2023): A previous version of this story referenced SELF’s thank you card program. Due to an overwhelming response in requests for materials, we have removed links to that particular initiative at this time. The Santoro Education Lifeskills Foundation (SELF), a Florida nonprofit, is helping children and teenagers develop the skills they […]
If the Super Bowl is the biggest game in professional football, the Puppy Bowl is the biggest game in canine athletics. The annual competition returns for its 19th year on Super Bowl Sunday (February 12), when “Team Ruff” and “Team Fluff” will adorably battle it out for the highly coveted “Lombarky” trophy. (Yes, that’s a […]
Louise Kobs has taken dedication to her community to a whole new level — and proven that age is only a number. The 91-year-old New York crossing guard, who joined the Nassau County Police Department in the role in November 1981, has only recently retired from her position after 41 years. “If I can get […]
Inspired by an article profiling a young girl in the foster care system who burst into tears upon receiving her first birthday cake, Cake4Kids founder Libby Gruender recognized that such a simple gesture could have a profound impact on the lives of underprivileged children. In 2010, Cake4Kids launched as a grassroots effort in Sunnyvale, California, […]