Carolyn Cross used to be a financial analyst until she was in a plane crash, which she barely survived. She had already sent her farewell message to her three kids and husband when she managed to pull herself to a nearby exit and then pulled by strangers to safety. It was then Carolyn realized she was saved for a reason and dedicated her life to helping others. At the heart of her work is the fight against superbugs.

Superbugs: The Looming Threat Not Many Know About

There are many processes that threaten the integrity of the world we live in. Some more obvious than others. And while we are all aware of the detrimental effects of climate change, not many know about the real threat of superbugs. This is the bacteria that currently kills more than 700,000 people every year. Since it has developed resistance to the antibiotics doctors use to kill it, the number of people who may die because of it is expected to rise to 10 million deaths a year within the next three decades. That’s more lives than we lose to cancer, cholera, and diabetes combined.

Seeking to develop new drugs to combat that looming threat is too time-consuming, costly, and offers zero guarantees of success. Especially if we take into account how quickly the microbes adapt to the new treatments people discover.

The Solution: Photodynamic Therapy

Also known as PDT and photo disinfection, Photodynamic Therapy uses activated photosensitizers and a light source to treat burns, macular degeneration, and certain cancers. PDT’s greatest property is that it effectively kills bacteria, fungi, and viruses regardless if they are antibiotic-resistant or not. PDT kills them and leaves human tissue intact.

PDT was first developed by emeritus professor Mike Wilson from the Eastman Dental Institute at the University College London with the goal of treating dental infections. Carolyn realized that PDT could have so many other applications rather than being restricted to dental infections alone. She’s working toward ensuring more hospitals have access to PDT. The ones who have already started using it have seen a drop of 84% of infections at surgical sites. Imagine how much PDT can help to win the fight against superbugs!

The highly anticipated life story of comedy icon Joan Rivers The Comeback Girl is facing a production halt due to a major legal issue. In this Showtime project, which was announced last month, WandaVision famed Kathryn Hahn was set to play the role of the legendary comedian.

The Project

The Comeback Girl was to be jointly produced by Warner Bros. Television, Berlanti Productions, and Atlas Entertainment. The limited series was going to be directed by Gerg Berlanti, one of the executive producers. Actress Kathryn Hann was attached to the project as the lead star and also an executive producer. The series was based on a spec script written by Cosmo Carlson.

The Obstacle

The production of the series is not moving forward now due to the issues about the life rights of Joan Rivers. Rivers’ life rights are held by her daughter Melissa Rivers, since the comedian’s demise in 2014. These rights had not been secured yet by the producers of the series. To avoid the dispute, the project could have continued as an unauthorized venture, but then it wouldn’t be able to use any of Rivers’ unique jokes or iconic catchphrases, compromising the quality and merit of the series as a result. It is not officially confirmed yet, that whether Melissa Rivers has any other plan for biographical projects on her late mother, using her life rights.

The Theme

The theme of the limited series was centered on a hazardous time in Joan Rivers’ life. It was set in the period aftermath of the cancellation of The Late Show, Rivers’ controversial late-night talk show on Fox. Fatefully, the period coincided with the suicide of Rivers’ then-husband and The Late Show producer Edgar Rosenberg, who was Melissa Rivers’ father. The series wanted to portray the extraordinary life of the trailblazer comedy superstar, and the inspiring untold story of her comeback from the professional and personal abyss to rebuild herself as a global icon.