An exciting clinical trial involving a vaccine at the Cleveland Clinic could change the world of breast cancer. “Curing cancer has been something we all talk about. Even better, is to prevent the cancer in the first place. So, in a sense, prevention is the cure,” said Dr. Amit Kumar, CEO of Anixa Biosciences. An […]

On October 24, 2015, Justin Phongsavanh walked out of a McDonald’s in Ankeny, Iowa, unaware he was taking his final steps. Until that cool fall evening, the high schooler had been an avid sportsman and was gearing up for a career as a journeyman electrician. A gunman’s bullets would abruptly and irrevocably change the course of […]

This week, The Joffrey Ballet brings Atonement to the Lyric Opera stage. This is the first ballet adaptation of Ian McEwan’s best-selling novel turned Academy Award®-winning film, choreographed by Cathy Marston in a co-production with Ballet Zürich. Make It Better (MIB) spoke with Joffrey’s Mary B. Galvin Artistic Director, Ashley Wheater MBE, last week before […]

Penelope Steiner is a philanthropist and cinephile in equal measure. While Steiner has long supported prestigious cultural institutions like the Lyric Opera, the Art Institute of Chicago, the Joffrey Ballet, the Museum of Contemporary Art, and the Newberry Library, she walks into every movie screening with an open mind. Whether it’s a Bollywood import or Joker: Folie A […]

It’s happened to many of us: The bank calls to warn you about suspicious transactions on your account. So when Donna Carleo of Redondo Beach, Calif., saw her Chase private banker’s name on her cell phone screen, she picked up and answered the questions. Had she authorized a purchase at an Apple store in Texas? […]

What gives your life meaning? It’s a question our brains are naturally programmed to explore. Recent studies have revealed strong connections between spirituality and health, both rooted in how we find purpose in our lives. Interestingly, much of this research began with the goal of understanding the rising prevalence of depression and anxiety in our […]

Less than two weeks after Hurricane Helene roared through parts of the US Southeast, Hurricane Milton roared onto Florida’s west coast around 8:30 p.m., Oct. 9 as a Category 3 storm. It then moved across the state throughout the early morning hours bringing high winds and incessant rain. As of Oct. 10, millions of Floridians […]

For millions of families across the U.S., the back-to-school season isn’t just a time for excitement—it’s a time for difficult choices. In 2023, families with school-aged children spent an average of $890 on back-to-school essentials — a record high that left many parents and guardians scrambling to afford basic supplies. When budgets are tight, simple […]

I am approaching the 27th anniversary of my breast cancer diagnosis. And while I have remained cancer-free, it’s been quite a ride. I am also approaching the 3rd anniversary of my preventative mastectomy and removal of my ovaries. Why the surgeries, might you ask, if I was cancer-free? In 1997, following a routine mammogram, I […]

As travelers become more eco-conscious, they are looking for destinations that provide more than just stunning beaches and a break from reality — they’re seeking experiences that are mindful, sustainable, and aligned with their values. Enter Disney Lookout Cay at Lighthouse Point, Disney Cruise Line’s new private island retreat on the Bahamian island of Eleuthera. […]

Access to fresh and healthy food is a basic human need and essential for a healthy lifestyle.  However, this basic need is not easily met for many residents of Altgeld Gardens and, specifically, the Phillip Murray Homes community on the far south side of Chicago.  Recognized as one of the lowest-income neighborhoods in Chicago, Altgeld […]

Hurricane Helene carved a path of destruction across nearly 500 miles of the U.S. Southeast. The storm first hit landfall on Sept. 26 as a Category 4 storm. Despite weakening as it moved inland, Helene’s impact reached at least 800 miles into Tennessee and North Carolina. Early estimates show at least 130 people dead, more […]