☀️Medical Miracles and Athletic Marvels

Happy Super Bowl Sunday! (Or, in my house, Happy Puppy Bowl Sunday!)

Whether you're cheering for the big game or following our incredible Olympic athletes competing in Italy, this issue is all about celebrating big wins and peak human achievement.

We’ve got two stories about girl power on the high seas, a huge breakthrough in pancreatic cancer and some blind fans experiencing the Super Bowl in a cool new way. Plus, a whole bunch of other upbeat stories. 

Grab your snacks and let's go! 💛

Danielle
Founder & Editor, The Bright Beat

Pancreatic cancer has one of the worst survival rates—most patients live less than a year after diagnosis. But scientists just achieved something extraordinary: they found a way to make pancreatic tumors disappear—at least in mice.

In a groundbreaking new study, researchers used a three‑drug combination that attacks the cancer on multiple fronts instead of relying on traditional chemotherapy alone. In plain language: the combo completely wiped out pancreatic tumors in mice without major side effects, and they did not grow back during months of follow‑up.

This represents a major breakthrough. Pancreatic cancer is notoriously difficult to treat because it’s usually discovered late and resists most therapies. The five‑year survival rate is under 12%, making it one of the worst cancer diagnoses. Any approach that can make these tumors vanish is remarkable progress.

The research is still in very early stages and has only been tested in animals thus far, so it will take time—and careful human trials—before anything like this could reach patients. But for the hundreds of thousands of people diagnosed with pancreatic cancer each year, it represents genuine hope where there’s historically been very little. Every medical breakthrough starts somewhere, and this kind of result is exactly what researchers dream about. Read more.

When Taryn Smith read about the World's Toughest Row, she thought "Who wouldn't want to do that?" and signed up. Small problem: she had never been on a rowboat in her entire life.

Three years of training later, and the 25-year-old from Nebraska just became the first American woman to complete the brutal 3,000-mile race solo, finishing in an exceptional 46 days, 3 hours, and 37 minutes. She rowed from the Canary Islands to Antigua, navigating 40-foot waves, sleep deprivation, and weeks of isolation.

Along the way, Taryn documented the entire adventure on Instagram, growing a following of over 620,000 people who tracked her progress daily—including celebrity fans like Pierce Brosnan, Sharon Stone, Will Smith, and Ellen Pompeo. "I have never felt less alone in my entire life," she said.

The former HR manager and yoga instructor also used her journey to raise over $36,000 for Girls on the Run, a non-profit that empowers young girls through physical activity. She quit her job, trained relentlessly, and proved that you don't need prior experience to do extraordinary things—you just need guts, determination, and maybe a really good social media strategy. Read more.

AI-assisted mammogram screening just proved it can find aggressive breast cancer earlier—and the numbers are impressive.

According to a recent study, using AI to help analyze mammograms cut the rate of late-stage breast cancer diagnosis by 12%. That means fewer women discovering their cancer has already spread, and more catching it when treatment is most effective.

Here's how it works: AI algorithms analyze mammogram images alongside radiologists, flagging suspicious areas that might be missed by human eyes alone. The technology doesn't replace doctors—it assists them, acting as a second set of eyes that never gets tired or distracted.

Why this matters: Early detection is everything with breast cancer. Finding it at Stage 1 versus Stage 3 can mean the difference between a 99% survival rate and a 72% survival rate. AI isn't perfect, but when it helps catch even one aggressive cancer earlier, that's a life potentially saved.

This is exactly the kind of AI application we need more of—not replacing humans, but helping them do their jobs better and saving lives in the process. Read more.

Perfect timing for Super Bowl Sunday: PepsiCo is lowering prices up to 15% on popular snacks including Lays, Cheetos, Doritos and other favorites. This is the first time in years they’ve cut prices instead of raising them in response to cost-conscious shoppers who have been buying fewer snacks. Sometimes companies actually listen to their customers—and our wallets are grateful. Read more.

Walmart just became the first retailer ever to hit a $1 trillion market valuation—a Wall Street milestone built on everyday grocery runs and diaper dashes. As the nation’s largest private employer, with about 1.6 million U.S. workers, its growth suggests shoppers are still hunting for low prices and finding them in Walmart’s aisles and apps. Read more.

Minivans are back, baby! Sales surged 21% in 2025, driven by millennial dads who've discovered what their parents knew all along: sliding doors and cargo space beat luxury SUVs when you've got kids and gear. Many of these new vans are also hybrids, which helps families save a ton on gas. Turns out "best bang for your buck" matters more than looking cool at school pickup. Read more.

U.S. life expectancy just hit an all-time record high of 79.1 years, reflecting decades of medical progress in heart disease prevention, cancer treatment, and healthier lifestyles as well as a big drop in COVID-19 cases. Better medications, surgical advances, and increased health awareness are keeping more Americans alive longer. It's proof that when people have resources and information, outcomes improve. Read more.

Medicare expanded its drug price negotiation program to include more medications for common conditions such as diabetes and heart disease. The third round of negotiations specifically targets popular high-cost drugs to make them more affordable for millions of seniors. Lower medication costs mean better access to necessary treatments—and that's something worth celebrating, especially for those on fixed incomes. Read more.

Co-founded by a former Olympic rower, The Women’s Health, Sports & Performance Institute is investing $50 million to research and prevent injuries specific to female athletes—addressing a major gap in sports medicine. For too long, injury prevention focused almost exclusively on male bodies. This funding recognizes that women's bodies respond differently to athletic stress and deserve dedicated research. That’s one way to keep our sports stars out on the field! Read more.

A new haptic device called OneCourt lets blind and visually impaired fans "watch" the Super Bowl using a small tabletop field. As they place their hands on the field, they feel the ball and players move through vibrations. It makes America’s biggest game accessible to everyone through the power of touch. Inclusion wins! Read more.

Researchers developed “pumpless” artificial lungs that kept a patient alive for days while awaiting a transplant—a breakthrough for those with severe lung failure. Because they use the patient’s own heartbeat to move blood, these bioengineered organs are much gentler on the body. They bridge critical gaps in care and buy precious time for people who would otherwise have no options. When science creates extra days of life, that's a miracle worth celebrating. Read more.

MIT engineers developed a portable ultrasound sensor for breast cancer screening that patients could eventually use at home, enabling earlier and more frequent detection. The wearable device that attaches to a bra like a flexible patch, makes monitoring accessible between clinical visits, potentially catching tumors when they're still tiny. When cancer screening becomes as easy as checking your fitness tracker, lives get saved. Read more.

The Famous Project became the first all-female crew to sail nonstop and unassisted around the world, completing the grueling journey that tests every ounce of skill, teamwork, and endurance. The eight-member team navigated treacherous waters and extreme conditions to claim their place in maritime history. Barriers broken, oceans conquered, history made. Girl power on the high seas! Read more.

"Iron Lung," a $3 million horror film self-financed by YouTuber Markiplier, grossed over $21 million in its opening weekend, proving creator-driven cinema can compete with studio blockbusters. He wrote, directed, starred, and promoted it directly to fans—securing 4,000+ screens without traditional marketing. David just beat Goliath with a camera. Read more.

Penny the Doberman Pinscher won Best in Show at the 2026 Westminster Dog Show. This is the first time a Doberman has won the competition since 1989. Penny competed against 200 breeds and 2,500 canines to become this year’s top dog. Read more.

Talk about being in the right place at the right time! NYPD Officer Freddy Cerpa saved two choking babies weeks apart—both times arriving just in time to perform life-saving interventions. The dramatic rescues showcase split-second decision-making and the training that turns routine patrols into miracle moments. Two families got their babies back because one officer knew exactly what to do. Read more.

When his family's boat became stranded at sea, a 13-year-old boy used his YMCA swim training and swam for four hours through open ocean to get help for his mom and two siblings. The extraordinary feat of endurance and courage turned a child into a hero and brought his family home safely. Courage has no age limit. Read more.

Paintings from Bob Ross’s private collection sold for over $1.2 million at auction, with proceeds benefiting public television. The beloved artist's work continues spreading joy decades later, now funding the very medium that made him a household name. From happy little trees to meaningful support for public broadcasting—Ross's legacy keeps giving. Read more.

Last week we shared U.S. homicide rates dropped dramatically. Now it's England and Wales's turn. Homicides fell to the lowest level since records began, continuing a positive trend toward safer communities. Even knife crime is dropping for the first time in years. When multiple countries see declining violence simultaneously, it suggests crime prevention strategies are working globally. Progress knows no borders. Read more.

Healthcare coverage for 9/11 first responders has been extended through 2040, ensuring those who risked their lives during the attacks continue receiving the medical care they need for related illnesses. Many responders developed serious health conditions from toxic exposure at Ground Zero. This extension honors their heroic sacrifice with the support they deserve. Read more.

Lady Gaga covers Mr. Rogers' "Won't You Be My Neighbor" for a Super Bowl ad, bringing nostalgic wholesomeness to football's biggest stage. The unlikely pairing of pop superstar and beloved children's TV icon creates a surprisingly perfect moment. It’s a timely reminder of the importance of kindness, acceptance and community. And who doesn’t need more of that today.  Check it out.

📬 Were you forwarded this email? Sign up here.

🤗 Want to refer a friend? Forward this email or share this link.

🗣 Have any feedback, stories or recommendations to share? Hit reply.

#⃣ Want to fill up your social feed with good news? Follow on Instagram.