Latest news with #WilliamSmith
Daily Mail
19-05-2025
- Health
- Daily Mail
My son's tummy ache turned out to be a rare and aggressive cancer - here's what I want every parent to know before it's too late
As a lively and energetic six-year-old boy, William Smith loved animals and music, he was a sports fan and had a passion for the police force. When he fell ill with an upset stomach and appeared lethargic, many parents would have just chalked it up to a benign, temporary illness. 'It would have been so easy to say it was a virus, but I just knew deep down in my gut that something was wrong,' William's mum Danielle told Daily Mail Australia. 'He was showing signs of separation anxiety, which wasn't like him, and I thought to myself, 'I really need to have this looked at and hopefully I'm just being a paranoid parent.' Tragically, Danielle's instincts were right and a devastating diagnosis was about to turn their world upside down. The mum-of-three took William to see their family doctor and she shared her concerns, so the doctor agreed to run a series of tests. Two days later they returned to receive the results. 'We were told 'you need to go home and pack a bag for William and yourself - we didn't know what that meant other than we knew one of the test results showed spots on his liver.' The family went to the Emergency department at Westmead Children's Hospital and after speaking with a doctor they met with an Oncologist. 'I remember him saying: 'I hope I'm the wrong doctor for you,' but explained that they needed to run more tests.' Initially the team thought it was lymphoma, a cancer of the lymphatic system, and tests showed that William had several tumours throughout his body, the largest being on his liver. 'The oncologist was showing the scans and was pointing out the tumours, they were all through his body. I just kept thinking how could there be this many tumours and we didn't know and how could there be this many tumours and William didn't know,' Danielle shared as her voice began to crack. 'He went down the scan and said 'this is William's heart', he scrolled down and said, 'this is the tumour on the liver.' I asked him to scroll back up because the primary tumour was bigger than his heart. How could it be bigger than his heart? 'That is the moment that killed me.' Yet despite learning that crushing information that would be impossible for any parent to hear, Danielle remained stoic and strong for William. 'You can't fall apart but so much happens so fast. When you've got your six-year-old who asks: 'Mum am I going to die?' — what do you say to your child in that moment? You have to protect your child and do the best you can. You just can't fall apart.' Nearly two weeks after being admitted to hospital and after William had already started chemotherapy treatment, he was diagnosed with Neuroblastoma, a rare childhood cancer that starts in the early nerve cells of the sympathetic nervous system. William's cancer was stage 4, high-risk and aggressive. What followed was a gruelling series of treatments for William, including six rounds of chemotherapy, two back to back bone marrow transplants that saw him put in isolation from the public for nine long months, radiation and immunotherapy. Around 18 months after treatment had begun, William was finally finished, but then in a cruel twist, a scan showed another tumour. 'It fell into a pattern at that point, another scan, another tumour, another scan, another tumour. This went on for a while,' Danielle said. In January 2018 we were away on a holiday on the coast there was about 30 of us making memories together and I knew that something wasn't right. I noticed that one of his eyes had turned and he wasn't looking straight. 'We had scans booked when we got home and at that point the oncologist had asked William to stay in the waiting room and he told me to prepare myself, I knew what he was going to say.' 'He was given 6 to 8 weeks. I had prepared myself that he was palliative, and I had got to a point but everything I had read said it would be six to eight months, so I assumed that we had that time. I can't even put that into words how I felt when I heard that prognosis. Pretty much eight weeks later he passed.' 'Despite knowing what was coming in those last eight weeks, if you were around him, you wouldn't have known, people couldn't believe he was so sick, he didn't let it show,' Danielle said. During his gruelling treatment, William was happy to share his experience with other children and families who were going through the same thing. 'He was very open and willing to talk about his experience. He talked to other children at the hospital and was very willing to advocate on what he was going through. My sister was diagnosed with breast cancer and they would talk together about it.' Danielle and her two eldest children were inspired by William to help other children and their relatives who were battling cancer and raise funds for the Kids With Cancer charity by hosting the annual Gold Ribbon Ball. 'It gives purpose to why William was here. We would struggle to deal with something so terrible happening to us without it, so the three of us definitely use it as a healing technique and way of coping with our grief,' she said. This month, to recognise what would have been William's 16th birthday, Danielle is raising awareness for the charity's Care Packs 4 Kids campaign. The bespoke gift boxes contain sweet and savoury snacks, puzzles and activities and a hand-written inspirational note. The packs are offered to oncology patients each time they attend a children's hospital across Australia. 'Time in hospital is long and whether you're there for a day visit or a longer stay it's really hard to keep your child entertained. The care packs provide that bit of distraction but it also hits home that there is somebody out there that cares with the handwritten notes,' Danielle explained. 'Something so small can make a big difference and even if it's just for five minutes that the child forgets about their cancer or their treatment, it's like five years for the parents.' Given what Danielle and her family went through, the Sydney mum is well placed to share advice to families who find themselves in a similar situation. For those who might be going through a possible cancer diagnosis she said, 'My advice would be to advocate for your child and to voice how you feel, voice what your concerns are.' Danielle admits it was 'hard' for her to accept help from others in the period following William's diagnosis. 'It took me a good few months to accept the support and to advocate for him and ask all of the questions. The community is incredible and there were so many lovely people there for us, I want to pay it forward.' 'I think if William was with us today he's be joining in the fundraising, he'd probably be leading it and driving it. I think he'd be proud.' To support the Kids With Cancer or to donate to the Care Packs 4 Kids campaign, click here.
Agriland
14-05-2025
- Business
- Agriland
Opinion: What makes the Balmoral Show so popular?
The 156th Balmoral Show, one of the biggest agricultural shows on the island, is officially underway from today (Wednesday, May 14) at the Eikon Exhibition Centre outside Lisburn. It is expected to attract thousands of visitors from every corner, especially this year thanks to latest warm weather forecasts. Many people believe that the Balmoral Show reflects all that is good about farming and food in Northern Ireland and it has been a showcase for this since it first started in 1855. The evolving success of the event bears this assertion out in full. Over the next four days, it has been predicted that in the region of 100,000 people will take in the sights and sounds of the event. Four-day show There is no doubt that the decision to extend the show to include a Saturday within the event's programme was extremely popular and the 'weekend factor' has made Balmoral Show an extremely attractive proposition for people who simply want a day out with a difference. The fact that it is so child-friendly also makes it a very attractive proposition for families – regardless of whether they have a rural heritage or not. But the key driver for the show is its ability to deliver a platform for food and drink processers, in tandem with retailers, all keen to communicate with a wide cross-section of the public. And this is a two-way street – consumers, for their part, have an insatiable appetite for information on how their food is actually produced. From an agri-food perspective, it is a marriage made in heaven. Source: Balmoral Show Meanwhile, in the competition rings, matters of an equally serious nature will played out over the coming days. Coming home from Balmoral with a show rosette of any colour is a career-changing accolade for any livestock breeder. Even the briefest of visits to the cattle and sheep rings provides an insight into the tremendous investment that breeders continue to make where the development of new and improved bloodlines is concerned. Pedigree livestock breeding is now a very serious business, with the prospect of a Balmoral championship adding significantly to the value of those animals that catch the judges' attention. Recent years have seen livestock breeders from across the island of Ireland making their way to Balmoral. Noted Limousin breeder William Smith, from Oldcastle in Co. Meath, is a case in point. He has won the Balmoral Inter Breed Beef Championship on three occasions. But, as is always the case with outdoor events, it is the weather that will make or break Balmoral Show and the advice from organisers this year to' bring your suncream' is certainly a good omen.
Business Wire
09-05-2025
- Health
- Business Wire
Pioneer Institute Launches Tracker Showing Drug Price Controls Are Raising Out-of-Pocket Costs for Medicare Patients
BOSTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--A new data tool from Pioneer Institute reveals that federal drug price controls—intended to reduce out-of-pocket costs for seniors—are instead making many prescription drugs more expensive for Medicare beneficiaries. Its first analysis shows that among nine commonly prescribed medications which were subject to price setting by the IRA —used to treat conditions like heart failure, diabetes, and blood clotting—seven saw an increase in patient out-of-pocket costs. Share The IRA Medicare Drug Access Tracker, developed by Dr. William Smith and Dr. Robert Popovian, monitors the impact of the Inflation Reduction Act's (IRA) drug pricing provisions. Its first analysis shows that among nine commonly prescribed medications which were subject to price setting by the IRA —used to treat conditions like heart failure, diabetes, and blood clotting— seven saw an increase in patient out-of-pocket costs. (The insulin product was not studied since its price was fixed in statute under a separate IRA provision.) 'The price controls show that Congress fundamentally doesn't understand the rebate system that underpins the pharmaceutical market,' said Dr. William Smith, who built the Tracker with Dr. Robert Popovian. 'All the politicians who argued that the IRA law would make drugs more affordable should look at this new data.' Under the current system, drug manufacturers pay substantial rebates to pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs) such as Caremark and Optum. These rebates help offset costs but are invisible to patients. When CMS seeks to control prices by lowering a drug's official 'list price,' as it does with the anti-coagulant Eliquis —bringing the price down from $521 to $231—rebates disappear, likely eliminating hundreds of millions in rebate payments from manufacturers to PBMs. PBMs appear to be compensating for that loss by raising co-pays, co-insurance, and transferring other charges directly to patients. The IRA Medicare Drug Access Tracker focuses on Medicare patients served by the four largest PBMs, which account for 87 percent of the market. The tool is designed to measure whether federal price controls actually improve affordability for seniors by tracking out-of-pocket costs over time. It also follows administrative burdens that PBMs may have imposed on these drugs, which may strain already short-staffed providers, such as requiring them to fill out additional paperwork to secure a prescription (prior authorization) or placing quantity limits on the medications. Such administrative burdens are often used in the industry to discourage demand (demand management). Among the Tracker's key findings: Average out-of-pocket costs for the nine drugs rose 32 percent, from $74.51 to $98.42 Seven of the nine drugs saw individual cost increases ranging from $10.56 to $316.81 One of the two medicines seeing no increase in out-of-pocket costs faced competition from biosimilars that only became available in 2025 'Higher out-of-pocket costs are unlikely to be the only unintended consequence of drug price controls,' Dr. Popovian said. 'The IRA also creates less incentive for pharmaceutical innovation and increases the possibility that some popular drugs may be excluded from health insurance formularies.' This release marks the Tracker's first report. Pioneer Institute will publish additional data later this year, as more drugs fall under the Inflation Reduction Act's price-setting provisions. The public can find the tool at Dr. William S. Smith is Senior Fellow & Director of Pioneer Life Sciences Initiative. Dr. Smith has 25 years of experience in government and in corporate roles. His career includes senior staff positions for the Republican House leadership on Capitol Hill, the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy, and the Massachusetts Governor's office where he served under Governors Weld and Cellucci. He spent ten years at Pfizer Inc as Vice President of Public Affairs and Policy where he was responsible for Pfizer's corporate strategies for the U.S. policy environment. He later served as a consultant to major pharmaceutical, biotechnology and medical device companies. Dr. Smith earned his PhD in political science with distinction at The Catholic University of America. Dr. Robert Popovian is the Founder of the strategic consulting firm Conquest Advisors. He also serves as Chief Science Policy Officer at the Global Healthy Living Foundation, Senior Healthy Policy Fellow at the Progressive Policy Institute, and Visiting Health Policy Fellow at the Pioneer Institute. He previously served as Vice President, U.S. Government Relations at Pfizer. One of the country's foremost experts on every significant facet of biopharmaceuticals and the healthcare industry, he is a recognized authority on health economics, policy, government relations, medical affairs, and strategic planning. To learn more about Dr. Popovian please click here. About Pioneer Institute Pioneer empowers Americans with choices and opportunities to live freely and thrive. Working with state policymakers, we use expert research, educational initiatives, legal action and coalition-building to advance human potential in four critical areas: K-12 Education, Health, Economic Opportunity, and American Civic Values. Please see below the first group of drugs subject that Pioneer is studying. Eliquis Enbrel Entresto Farxiga Imbruvica Januvia Jardiance Stelara Xarelto
Yahoo
09-05-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Pioneer Institute Launches Tracker Showing Drug Price Controls Are Raising Out-of-Pocket Costs for Medicare Patients
New data tool shows out-of-pocket costs have increased for most drugs targeted by Inflation Reduction Act price controls BOSTON, May 09, 2025--(BUSINESS WIRE)--A new data tool from Pioneer Institute reveals that federal drug price controls—intended to reduce out-of-pocket costs for seniors—are instead making many prescription drugs more expensive for Medicare beneficiaries. The IRA Medicare Drug Access Tracker, developed by Dr. William Smith and Dr. Robert Popovian, monitors the impact of the Inflation Reduction Act's (IRA) drug pricing provisions. Its first analysis shows that among nine commonly prescribed medications which were subject to price setting by the IRA —used to treat conditions like heart failure, diabetes, and blood clotting—seven saw an increase in patient out-of-pocket costs. (The insulin product was not studied since its price was fixed in statute under a separate IRA provision.) "The price controls show that Congress fundamentally doesn't understand the rebate system that underpins the pharmaceutical market," said Dr. William Smith, who built the Tracker with Dr. Robert Popovian. "All the politicians who argued that the IRA law would make drugs more affordable should look at this new data." Under the current system, drug manufacturers pay substantial rebates to pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs) such as Caremark and Optum. These rebates help offset costs but are invisible to patients. When CMS seeks to control prices by lowering a drug's official "list price," as it does with the anti-coagulant Eliquis—bringing the price down from $521 to $231—rebates disappear, likely eliminating hundreds of millions in rebate payments from manufacturers to PBMs. PBMs appear to be compensating for that loss by raising co-pays, co-insurance, and transferring other charges directly to patients. The IRA Medicare Drug Access Tracker focuses on Medicare patients served by the four largest PBMs, which account for 87 percent of the market. The tool is designed to measure whether federal price controls actually improve affordability for seniors by tracking out-of-pocket costs over time. It also follows administrative burdens that PBMs may have imposed on these drugs, which may strain already short-staffed providers, such as requiring them to fill out additional paperwork to secure a prescription (prior authorization) or placing quantity limits on the medications. Such administrative burdens are often used in the industry to discourage demand (demand management). Among the Tracker's key findings: Average out-of-pocket costs for the nine drugs rose 32 percent, from $74.51 to $98.42 Seven of the nine drugs saw individual cost increases ranging from $10.56 to $316.81 One of the two medicines seeing no increase in out-of-pocket costs faced competition from biosimilars that only became available in 2025 "Higher out-of-pocket costs are unlikely to be the only unintended consequence of drug price controls," Dr. Popovian said. "The IRA also creates less incentive for pharmaceutical innovation and increases the possibility that some popular drugs may be excluded from health insurance formularies." This release marks the Tracker's first report. Pioneer Institute will publish additional data later this year, as more drugs fall under the Inflation Reduction Act's price-setting provisions. The public can find the tool at Dr. William S. Smith is Senior Fellow & Director of Pioneer Life Sciences Initiative. Dr. Smith has 25 years of experience in government and in corporate roles. His career includes senior staff positions for the Republican House leadership on Capitol Hill, the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy, and the Massachusetts Governor's office where he served under Governors Weld and Cellucci. He spent ten years at Pfizer Inc as Vice President of Public Affairs and Policy where he was responsible for Pfizer's corporate strategies for the U.S. policy environment. He later served as a consultant to major pharmaceutical, biotechnology and medical device companies. Dr. Smith earned his PhD in political science with distinction at The Catholic University of America. Dr. Robert Popovian is the Founder of the strategic consulting firm Conquest Advisors. He also serves as Chief Science Policy Officer at the Global Healthy Living Foundation, Senior Healthy Policy Fellow at the Progressive Policy Institute, and Visiting Health Policy Fellow at the Pioneer Institute. He previously served as Vice President, U.S. Government Relations at Pfizer. One of the country's foremost experts on every significant facet of biopharmaceuticals and the healthcare industry, he is a recognized authority on health economics, policy, government relations, medical affairs, and strategic planning. To learn more about Dr. Popovian please click here. About Pioneer Institute Pioneer empowers Americans with choices and opportunities to live freely and thrive. Working with state policymakers, we use expert research, educational initiatives, legal action and coalition-building to advance human potential in four critical areas: K-12 Education, Health, Economic Opportunity, and American Civic Values. Please see below the first group of drugs subject that Pioneer is studying. Eliquis Enbrel Entresto Farxiga Imbruvica Januvia Jardiance Stelara Xarelto View source version on Contacts Media Contact: Amie O'Hearn aohearn@ Sign in to access your portfolio
Associated Press
25-04-2025
- Business
- Associated Press
New Arborist Directory Makes Finding Trusted Tree Experts in Cincinnati Effortless
'We believe that finding a skilled and certified arborist shouldn't be a guessing game,' says William Smith, founder of 'Our goal is to protect homeowners, their trees, and their peace of mind by connecting them with true professionals who care.' has launched a new referral directory to help homeowners and businesses in Cincinnati find certified, vetted arborists for expert tree care, including pruning, removal, disease control, and risk assessments. Cincinnati, OH - a growing digital resource for local homeowners, has launched a powerful new arborist referral directory. The platform simplifies the search for certified tree professionals, offering a curated list of trusted, local arborists ready to tackle everything from emergency removals to proactive tree health maintenance. 'If you are looking for a certified arborist in Cincinnati, we are the best resource,' says the spokesperson for Cincinnati Arborist. 'Our directory lists vetted and professional Cincinnati certified arborists you can depend on. With our extensive database of qualified professionals, we simplify the process of finding an experienced and reliable individual capable of tackling any tree service project you have.' For homeowners and businesses in Cincinnati, hiring a certified arborist is one of the most effective ways to protect their landscapes and improve property value. Certified arborists are trained professionals who understand the science and care behind proper tree maintenance. Those looking for certified arborists can effortlessly explore the free directory and find the best arborist nearby. A certified arborist's work includes pruning and trimming for tree health and appearance. Proper pruning prevents disease, improves airflow, and promotes growth. They also offer expert advice on tree care, addressing disease, decay, safety, and emergency removal. Tree removal is another critical service. Certified arborists assess if a tree should be removed or preserved. If removal is necessary, they employ proper equipment and methods to minimize risk and prevent property damage. Arborists help clients choose the right species for their soil and environment, ensuring the tree thrives for years. Transplanting larger trees is complex and demands expert care to avoid long-term damage. Disease and pest control are vital in Cincinnati. Local threats like the Emerald Ash Borer have caused significant damage. Arborists identify early disease signs and provide treatment plans to prevent spread, leveraging their knowledge of soil, pests, and environments. Safety is one of the biggest advantages of hiring a certified arborist. Tree care can be hazardous. Certified arborists adhere to strict safety protocols and utilize professional tools to safeguard themselves, clients, and property. These experts also perform tree risk assessments. They examine a tree's structure and overall condition, identifying potential threats. Arborists then recommend bracing, pruning, or removal to address risks. Choosing a certified arborist brings long-term value. Healthy, attractive trees boost curb appeal and provide shade and beauty. Poorly maintained trees, however, may lower property value and even present legal liability. Environmentally responsible practices are also a focus. Certified arborists promote sustainability, biodiversity, and soil preservation. Their work supports cleaner air and healthier landscapes. Property owners should verify certification to hire the right professional. Arborists certified by the International Society of Arboriculture (ISA) have proven their knowledge and skill through training and testing. Ongoing education is required to maintain their credentials, ensuring they stay updated with the latest in tree care science and safety standards. Affordable and dependable tree care is within reach. Homeowners in Cincinnati looking for certified tree experts can get help today. For referrals to certified arborists, call (513) 998-5744 or start a chat online. Get connected with a trusted professional and invest in the health and beauty of your trees. For more information, visit About Arborist Cincinnati Cincinnati Arborist Directory is a friendly community resource where you can find the best arborists and tree services companies in Cincinnati and neighboring areas. This platform is the ultimate resource for finding certified arborists in the Cincinnati area. The extensive database here lists qualified professionals. Media Contact Company Name: Traffic9 Media Contact Person: Wiliam Smith Email: Send Email Phone: (888) 803-4427 Address:PO BOX 354 City: New Richmond State: Ohio Country: United States Website: Press Release Distributed by To view the original version on ABNewswire visit: New Arborist Directory Makes Finding Trusted Tree Experts in Cincinnati Effortless
