Heroes and kindred spirits
Vol. 4, Issue 23
THE GOOD NEWS
An instinct to help
Charity Clark was paddle-boarding with friends near Big Pine Key, Fla., last spring when she encountered a shark in distress. The shark was upside down and motionless, with yards of thick fishing line wrapped around its body and in its mouth.
The 43-year-old lifestyle and travel photographer didn't even think twice. She just lifted the shark out of the water and began to untangle the rope. She even booped the shark on the nose a couple of times to get the creature to open its mouth so she could unhook the cord from its teeth.
And, it worked:
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A breakthrough in medicine
Kyle and Nicole Muldoon’s baby was only a week old when they learned he had CPS1 deficiency, a genetic disorder that affects one in 1.3 million infants. Half of all babies with the disorder die in the first week.
Doctors at Children's Hospital of Philadelphia told the Muldoons that if little KJ survived, he would have severe mental and developmental delays. He'd also need a liver transplant.
But his parents were willing to try anything to save him:
Dr. Rebecca Ahrens-Nicklas, a pediatrician at Children's Hospital, reached out to Dr. Kiran Musunuru, a gene-editing researcher at the University of Pennsylvania, and asked for his help. With additional assistance from dozens of researchers, the National Institutes of Health and industry partners — as well as swift approval from the FDA — a bespoke therapy was created and given to KJ.
He is the first person in history to receive a custom gene-editing treatment.
After receiving the infusions, KJ was soon healthy enough to meet his developmental milestones and go home.
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It's the things we have in common
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THIS WEEK’S POLL
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THIS WEEK IN (POSITIVE) HISTORY
On June 11, 1991, singer Natalie Cole released the album "Unforgettable... with Love," which included a virtual duet of the title track with her late father Nat King Cole. "Unforgettable" would go on to win six Grammy Awards, including Album of the Year.
On June 12, 1939, the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum was dedicated in Cooperstown, N.Y.
On June 13, 1946, the first transcontinental round-trip flight took place in a single day. The trip was from California to Maryland and back again.
On June 14, 1777, the Continental Congress adopted the Stars and Stripes as the national flag. June 14 is now celebrated as Flag Day.
On June 15, 1667, the first human blood transfusion occurred. Dr. Jean-Baptiste Denys transfused blood from a sheep into a 15-year-old boy, who survived the experimental procedure.
On June 16, 1884, the first roller coaster in America opened at Coney Island. It cost 5 cents to ride.
On June 17, 1928, Amelia Earhart became the first woman to fly across the Atlantic Ocean.
On June 18, 1847, Thomas Martin Easterly took the earliest known photograph of lightning.
PUBLIC SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENT
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THIS WEEK’S FUN HOLIDAYS
June 11 is National Corn on the Cob Day, National German Chocolate Cake Day, National Making Life Beautiful Day, Cousteau Day, Say Hi Day and Yarn Bombing Day
June 12 is International Falafel Day, National Great Dane Day, National Jerky Day, National Loving Day, National Peanut Butter Cookie Day, National Red Rose Day, Magic Day, Raggedy Ann and Andy Day and Superman Day
June 13 is International Axe Throwing Day, World Softball Day, National Dance/Movement Therapy Advocacy Day, National Sewing Machine Day, National Weed Your Garden Day, Cupcake Lover's Day, Knit in Public Day and Pigeon Appreciation Day
June 14 is International Bath Day, World Blood Donor Day, National Cucumber Day, National Pop Goes the Weasel Day, National Strawberry Shortcake Day and Flag Day
June 15 is Global Wind Day, International Surfing Day, World Juggling Day, Worldwide Day of Giving, Magna Carta Day, National Dog Dad Day, National Foam Party Day, National Megalodon Day, National Nature Photography Day, National Prune Day, National Smile Power Day and Mermaid Day
June 16 is International Waterfall Day, World Sea Turtle Day, National Fudge Day, National Turkey Lovers Day, Arborist Appreciation Day, Bloomsday, Cannoli Day, Father's Day and Fresh Veggies Day
June 17 is Global Garbage Man Day, National Apple Strudel Day, National Mascot Day, National Eat Your Vegetables Day, National Root Beer Day, Kauri Tree Day, Nursing Assistants Day and Take Your Cat to Work Day
June 18 is International Picnic Day, International Sushi Day, National Cherry Tart Day, National Go Fishing Day, National Splurge Day, National Wanna Get Away Day, Cheesemakers Day and Clean Your Aquarium Day
HOW TO SPREAD JOY/KINDNESS
* It's kitten season! Volunteer to foster a litter of adorable furbabies.
* Volunteer to walk several shelter dogs each week.
* Donate towels, blankets, food and toys to a local animal shelter
RECOMMENDED SUBSTACK
QUOTE OF THE WEEK
"It's not what you look at that matters, it's what you see." --Henry David Thoreau
MOMENT OF GRATITUDE
Thanks to Jag_cz, Dash of Adventure, Instagram, Charity Clark, the Good News Network, The "Today" show, The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, YouTube, UC Berkeley News, USA Today, The New York Times, TV 2 Play, Jeff Corpening, DeathReady with T.J., the Guide Dog Foundation for the Blind, AGDBeukhof, History.com, This Day in History, Britannica, Time and Date, On This Day, the Library of Congress, IMDb, This Day in Music, National Today, National Day Calendar, Holidays Calendar, The End Files, Emily Charlotte Powell, While I Was Drawing, Counting Beans, Canva and Deposit Photos for art and story suggestions.
KEEP IN TOUCH
Read a positive/uplifting news story lately? Have an inspiring quote you want to share? Or do you just want to let me know about some of your favorite simple pleasures?
I was just cutting onions when I saw the video about the things we have in common ;-)