Latest news with #Bex
The Sun
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- The Sun
I'm super surrogate who's had 10 babies in 14 years… I love creating families but there's a question I'm always asked
SHE'S the super surrogate who has delivered ten babies in 14 years – but Becky Harris admits she still sobs every time she hands a child over. Dubbed 'Supermum' by the families she helps, Becky says that despite the emotional toll she is still desperate for more, admitting: 'I'm still broody and I'll have another ten if I can'. 10 10 Becky, 38, from Sudbury, Suffolk, carried her first surrogate child in 2011 after she split with her husband Rex. She said: 'I first heard about surrogacy in my twenties as my sister-in-law Bex carried a baby for a childless couple. 'My split from Rex spurred me on to fulfil my dream of becoming a surrogate too, because family is everything to me and I've always wanted to bring that joy to others.' The first couple she helped were unable to conceive, and she had their daughter in 2011. 'It broke my heart' She said: 'After I handed her to them, I had a real sense of handing a baby back to its rightful parents.' Becky went on to help six other families, including having siblings for one family. She said: 'I always cry when I hand the babies over. But it is tears of happiness — it's such a special moment as I've helped to create a family. I think of it as a vocation.' She admitted there is one question everyone asks her when they discover she's a surrogate. She said: 'Everyone always wants to know whether I have done the deed with the dad or if I used a turkey baster. The answer to both is no!' Unusually, Becky, who uses a syringe for home conceptions, claims she enjoys every pregnancy. My mum is the world's most prolific surrogate but plan to have 16th baby at 58 is reckless & selfish She said: 'Mostly, I get pregnant first go. I just seem to think about it and I'm pregnant! "People often think of pregnancy as morning sickness, mood swings and swollen ankles, but I get none of that. I breeze through every pregnancy.' Her most recent birth was a little girl last year and she's already planning for baby number 12. The world's most prolific surrogate is Carole Horlock from Colchester, Essex, who has had 13 surrogate babies as well as two daughters. Becky said: 'I'm broody — going by NHS advice I can try again from next summer. I'll keep having beautiful babies for as long as I can.' She said her fourth pregnancy was heartbreaking because she miscarried — a baby called Tinsel who was due at Christmas in 2013. 10 10 She said: 'It broke my heart for the intended parents. We went on to have another baby, but we have never forgotten her.' While Becky has handed over seven of her surrogate babies, she also kept two — Jensen, six, and Gray, three, after a gay father she'd helped agreed to be a donor so she could start her own blended family. Jensen and Gray are brothers to Levi, 15, her son with ex-husband Rex, and she is planning to have another child with the same gay dad. She said: 'Our children call him Papa, while his son calls me Aunty. We're the ultimate modern family. 'There's two gay dads, three babies, and a whole lot of love.' 10 10 10 10
BBC News
06-08-2025
- Health
- BBC News
Cumbrian cyclist to challenge 'stage four cancer perceptions'
A woman living with stage four cancer is taking on a 90km (55.9 miles) cycling challenge to show that a diagnosis "does not always limit what is possible".Rebecca Hind, 39, from Morland in Cumbria, was diagnosed with the rare cancer Pseudomyxoma Peritonei (PMP) in 2019 and has since had more than 10 abdominal organs - known as Bex - said she "refused to sit down and give up" so signed up to take part in Sir Chris Hoy's Tour de 4 cycle event next month, starting at the velodrome in Glasgow."People have often wanted to wrap me up in cotton wool, while others think with a stage four diagnosis you shouldn't be pushing yourself," Bex said. PMP affects up to 400 new patients in the UK a year, with as many as 40% seeing it return after was diagnosed aged 34 after getting stomach upsets for about two months, when it was "by just chance the on-call consultant was a specialist surgeon who sent me off for more investigations". "I explored the idea of harvesting my eggs for the future but unfortunately my ovaries were affected."Bex had eight rounds of chemotherapy but said the scans showed it had little effect so she decided to have "really radical surgery known as the mother of all surgeries". Bex had her appendix, greater momentum, large bowel, spleen, gall bladder, ovaries, uterus, fallopian tubes, cervix, rectum, diaphragm and parts of her small bowel, stomach and liver became incurable with more tumours - one the size of a melon - having to be removed. "It's devastating and brutal. Every day I struggle and I'm reliant on a lot of medication. "Some days I can't get out of bed, while other days I feel grand - I can ride for many hours. "There are difficulties with everything but with the right positive mindset it's possible."I've come to terms with the emotional side of stuff." "I could easily give up but I want to give myself the best possible chance and be in the best physical condition in order to be able to tackle whatever comes next."Bex has launched a GoFundMe campaign for UK charity Pseudomyxoma Survivor which support cancer patients, care givers and said the fundraising was "critical to support research to better understand and treat rare conditions"."Whilst it could be too late for me, I'm hugely motivated to help other patients diagnosed with this devastating disease." "I knew little about the reality of serious illness because I was fortunate enough that no-one close to me had been diagnosed with cancer," Bex continued."I assumed that cancer patients all looked frail and very poorly and were limited with what they could do. "While this sometimes is unfortunately true, for others it is less so." Bex said: "There's still things you can do in your life that are fun... I go for a medical scan and then go for wild swim. "There's plenty of good stuff there and that's what I want to pass along."Cycling brings me freedom to explore... it doesn't need to be hard or fast or far, just getting out that's important."The Tour de 4 event, which takes place on 7 September, was created by Sir Chris Hoy who revealed he had stage four cancer last year. Follow BBC Cumbria on X, Facebook, Nextdoor and Instagram.
Business Upturn
03-08-2025
- Entertainment
- Business Upturn
The Hunting Party Season 2: Release date speculation, cast and plot details – Everything we know so far
By Aman Shukla Published on August 3, 2025, 20:00 IST Last updated August 3, 2025, 15:32 IST Fans of NBC's thrilling crime drama The Hunting Party can't wait to dive back into the high-stakes world of escaped serial killers and elite investigators. After a gripping first season that left everyone on the edge of their seats, anticipation for Season 2 is at an all-time high. Here's a detailed look at everything known so far about The Hunting Party Season 2, including release date speculation, cast and plot details. The Hunting Party Season 2 Potential Release Date NBC confirmed the show's renewal during the 2025 NBCUniversal Upfronts on May 12, giving fans plenty to celebrate. At first, there were whispers of a late 2025 return, but it looks like we'll have to wait just a bit longer. Season 2 is now expected to drop in early 2026. What caused the delay? For one, production is moving from Vancouver to New York City, which naturally shakes up the timeline. If filming kicks off by mid-2025 and follows a similar schedule to Season 1 (which shot from June to November 2024 before premiering in January), fans can probably expect a return around January or February 2026. NBC is reportedly keeping the same Thursday 10 PM slot, right after Law & Order: SVU . The Hunting Party Season 2 Expected Cast The core cast of The Hunting Party brought depth and chemistry to the Inmate Recovery Task Force in Season 1, and most are expected to return to tackle the next chapter of this intense drama. Here's who's likely to be back: Melissa Roxburgh as Rebecca 'Bex' Henderson : The former FBI profiler remains the heart of the series, navigating the mysteries of 'The Pit' and her own complex past. Bex's journey is far from over, and Roxburgh's performance is a cornerstone of the show. Nick Wechsler as Oliver Odell : Bex's ex-partner and lover, whose fate was left hanging in the Season 1 finale. Did Oliver die in Bex's arms? Executive producer JJ Bailey teased that answers will come in Season 2, so Wechsler's return seems likely. Patrick Sabongui as Ryan Hassani : The CIA agent grappling with personal loss—his wife's death—adds emotional weight to the team. His hidden motives could spark new conflicts. Josh McKenzie as Shane Florence : The ex-army guard's shocking discovery about his mother, Colonel Lazarus (Kari Matchett), sets up a major arc for Season 2. Shane's internal struggle will be a focal point. Sara Garcia as Jennifer Morales : The Army Intelligence officer's tech skills and loyalty make her indispensable to the team. Kyra Leroux in a recurring role: Details about her character are still under wraps, but her presence adds intrigue. Season 1 also featured weekly guest stars, and Season 2 is expected to continue this trend, introducing new serial killers and supporting characters to keep the 'killer-of-the-week' format fresh. Kari Matchett's Colonel Lazarus, revealed as a 'graduated' former inmate, is likely to play a larger role, especially in Shane's storyline. The Hunting Party Season 2 Potential Plot The Hunting Party Season 2 promises to blend its signature 'killer-of-the-week' procedural style with deeper exploration of the overarching mystery surrounding 'The Pit,' the top-secret prison that housed the nation's most dangerous serial killers. The Season 1 finale left fans with burning questions, and the showrunners have dropped some exciting hints about what's next. Resolving the Season 1 Cliffhangers The biggest question mark hangs over Oliver Odell's fate. After a dramatic moment in the Season 1 finale, fans are desperate to know whether he survived. Executive producer JJ Bailey told TV Insider , 'You have to wait until Season 2 to get the answer,' suggesting a resolution early in the new season. Another key plot point is whether the Inmate Recovery Task Force will stay together. Bailey noted that the Season 2 premiere will focus on how the team convinces Bex to keep the group intact, setting the stage for their next mission. Shane's Family Secrets Shane Florence's discovery that his mother is Colonel Lazarus, a former inmate now in a position of power, changes everything. Executive producer Jake Coburn teased that Shane's struggle with this revelation will be central, as he grapples with her past and her current role. This personal conflict will likely intersect with the team's broader investigation into The Pit's purpose and the conspiracy behind the explosion that set the killers free. A Bigger, Bolder Season With an expanded episode order, Season 2 has room to explore more standalone cases while weaving in the serialized conspiracy. The move to New York City for filming could introduce urban settings for the team's pursuits, contrasting with Season 1's rural Wyoming backdrop. Expect high-stakes chases, psychological tension, and twists that challenge the team's trust in each other and the system they serve. Ahmedabad Plane Crash Aman Shukla is a post-graduate in mass communication . A media enthusiast who has a strong hold on communication ,content writing and copy writing. Aman is currently working as journalist at
Int'l Business Times
08-07-2025
- Business
- Int'l Business Times
Faron Pharmaceuticals To Earn Spotlight At IUIS 2025 With Its Bexmarilimab Data
In a year already marked by critical scientific milestones, Faron Pharmaceuticals is set to take center stage once again. The clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company has announced that detailed Phase II data from its BEXMAB study evaluating bexmarilimab (bex), a novel immunotherapy targeting Clever-1, has been accepted for oral presentation at the 19th International Congress of Immunology (IUIS) in Vienna, Austria, from August 17 to 22, 2025. This development is particularly significant given the current landscape of treatment for high-risk myelodysplastic syndromes (HR-MDS), a rare and aggressive group of bone marrow disorders with limited therapeutic options and poor prognoses, especially for patients who relapse or fail frontline hypomethylating agents (HMAs). Standard treatments have seen little advancement in recent decades, with response rates in the relapsed/refractory setting often below 10% and median overall survival typically less than six months. Immunotherapies targeting the tumor microenvironment, particularly macrophage-mediated immune resistance, represent a promising new frontier in hematology. Bex's ability to reprogram immunosuppressive macrophages and enhance anti-tumor immune responses marks a major shift from traditional cytotoxic approaches and has the potential to redefine the standard of care for HR-MDS and other difficult-to-treat malignancies. The company's inclusion in the oral sessions, one of the most prestigious scientific categories at IUIS, signals a rising recognition of bex's potential to change the treatment landscape for HR-MDS. This is the latest in a series of high-profile scientific endorsements for Faron, following similar honors at the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) and the International MDS Symposium earlier this year. Bex is Faron's first-in-class anti-Clever-1 monoclonal antibody designed to reprogram immunosuppressive macrophages in the bone marrow. When combined with azacitidine, a current standard-of-care hypomethylating agent, the therapy aims to overcome treatment resistance and restore the body's ability to combat cancerous cells, a vital advancement for a disease that has long been resistant to effective treatment. At IUIS 2025, Dr. Mika Kontro, MD, PhD, will deliver a presentation titled "Efficacy of Macrophage Checkpoint Clever-1 Inhibition with bexmarilimab plus Azacitidine in Myelodysplastic Syndrome: Results from the Ph1/2 BEXMAB Study." The talk will highlight both frontline HR-MDS patients and those with relapsed/refractory (r/r) disease who have failed prior HMA therapy. According to early disclosures, the data set includes impressive objective response rates and significant reductions in bone marrow blast counts, especially notable in a population where few therapeutic options remain. Acceptance into IUIS's oral presentation track is not just a ceremonial nod. It's a peer-reviewed endorsement from one of the most rigorous scientific communities in immunology. For Faron, it is another critical validation of its mission: to address treatment-resistant diseases through bold immunological strategies. "We are thrilled to see bex's data receive acceptance for oral presentation at IUIS, following similar recognition at MDS and ASCO," states Dr. Juho Jalkanen, CEO of Faron Pharmaceuticals. "This continued momentum reinforces our belief that bex holds real promise as a much-needed therapeutic option for patients with higher-risk MDS, a rare and challenging condition with few effective treatments." The past year has been pivotal for Faron. Following its positive Phase II results announced at ASCO, where bex achieved a median overall survival of 13.4 months in r/r MDS patients, more than double historical norms, the company has rapidly accelerated its development roadmap. "We're not just excited by the numbers," Dr. Juho affirms. "We're driven by what this could mean for real people living with a devastating illness. If we can offer them a longer, better-quality life, we've done something truly meaningful." With preparations underway for a registrational trial and ongoing regulatory engagement, Faron is also eyeing accelerated approval pathways. According to the company, upcoming interactions with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration will focus on confirming the new composite complete response (cCR) endpoints outlined by the IWG 2023 criteria, which link closely to survival and long-term outcomes. Though much of the spotlight is on MDS, bex is part of a larger strategy: to harness the immune system's overlooked components to address immune resistance across a range of hard-to-treat cancers. Faron's broader pipeline reflects this ambition, with additional studies underway in acute myeloid leukemia (AML) and other indications where macrophage manipulation could yield significant benefits. But for now, all eyes are on Vienna, where the company's work will once again be put to the test, and, it hopes, further cement its place among the most exciting innovators in oncology.
Daily Record
01-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Record
Donald Macdonald dies as tributes paid to popular kids TV presenter
Famed for hosting children's show Play School, the "showbiz great" lost his short battle with cancer on Monday. Veteran TV presenter Donald Macdonald has died aged 86. Famed for hosting children's show Play School, the "showbiz great" lost his short battle with cancer on Monday. As reported by the Mirror, his career spanned more than 40 years and saw him star in a number of stage shows - including John McKellar's A Cup of Tea, a Bex and a Good Lie Down - as well as TV dramas he also wrote. He is best remembered, however, for entertaining families on iconic BBC show Play School, which Donald presented from 1966 to 1969 alongside other famous faces, such as Trisha Goddard. Journalist Craig Bennett shared on his social media yesterday: "One of our showbiz greats left us at 12:45am today. "Donald Macdonald was a stalwart of stage and screen, who'd written smash-hit plays like Caravan, dazzled on London's West End, and delighted millions over the decades with his starring turns on TV series like Play School where he was a presenter from 1966 to 1969." Bennett, who is based in Australia where Donald was born, added: "He guested on shows from Certain Women, The Box, Cop Shop and Skyways, to the raunchy Alvin Purple, and in movies like Superman Returns. Donald was a dapper delight and always great company." Donald enjoyed early success as a stage actor in Australia before moving to the UK in the mid-1960s to broaden his career. He was able to write more theatre work, including Caravan, a comedic play about three couples on a hapless holiday together. He continued to act, and film credits included Superman Returns and Kenny. However, a short journey with cancer put pay to acting and presenting in recent years, and Donald died in Australia on Monday. The performer spent time with his cousins Paula Duncan and Amelia Barrett during his last days. Join the Daily Record WhatsApp community! Get the latest news sent straight to your messages by joining our WhatsApp community today. You'll receive daily updates on breaking news as well as the top headlines across Scotland. No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Daily Record team. All you have to do is click here if you're on mobile, select 'Join Community' and you're in! If you're on a desktop, simply scan the QR code above with your phone and click 'Join Community'. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose 'exit group'. Mr Bennett's social media post continued: "On Saturday we turned his hospital room into a party, laughs and smiles a-plenty, as Donald enjoyed some bubbly and lemon meringue pie. Blue was always his colour, even in a hospital gown! He gave his permission to post his last photo, saying 'what the heck!' Vale to a true gentleman." Facebook users responded to the journalist's post, sharing their sadness at the showbiz star's passing. One fellow actor wrote: "Honoured to have appeared in two of his plays. The consummate gentleman. And, no one played a High Court Judge like Donald. RIP." Another shared: "We were VERY LUCKY to meet Donald through you both, get to know him, and be entertained by his lovely demeanor, sharp wit and of course his writing skills. What a lovely, gentle man."
