GRUNGECAKE

Category: Health

  • Kourtney Kardashian-Barker introduces lollipops aimed at vaginal wellness: Lemme

    Kourtney Kardashian-Barker has expanded her wellness product line with a candy marketed as a product to support the vagina.

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    In a move sure to spark conversation, Kourtney Kardashian-Barker’s wellness brand, Lemme, has released a new offering: “Lemme Purr Probiotic Lollipops”, billed as a product designed to support vaginal health.

    The lollipops reportedly combine probiotics, Vitamin C and pineapple extract in a sweet treat form, and are being marketed as a fun, simple way to include feminine-care into daily routines. Exclusively available at Target, they come in five-packs and are positioned as vegetarian, non-GMO confection-supplements targeting the vaginal microbiome.

    From the brand’s press release, Kardashian-Barker said: “Lemme Purr Lollipops are such a fun extension of one of our best-sellers… I love that they turn daily self-care into something sweet and simple.”

    Here’s what to note:

  • What it claims: The product purports to support vaginal wellness, potentially helping with freshness and microbial balance.
  • What’s new: Whilst Lemme already had probiotic gummies for intimate/vaginal health, this is the first time the brand has released the lollipop format targeting that specific goal.
  • The push-back potential: As with any supplement or wellness product aimed at intimate health, there are questions about how well a lollipop format can deliver the promised benefits, and whether the messaging simplifies the underlying health issues.
  • Marketplace context: This comes at a time when celebrity-backed wellness products are under increased scrutiny, both for marketing claims and scientific backing.

    • For writers, marketers, or wellness observers, this is a textbook intersection of celebrity branding, wellness culture and provocative product design. It raises the question: When is a candy just candy, and when is it pitched as medicine?

  • TikTok star Mainly Mannie reveals HIV diagnosis and faces $4K monthly treatment costs

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    TikTok creator Mainly Mannie publicly revealed an HIV diagnosis in mid-October, sharing the news via videos made in a hospital setting. He explained that he lost his ability to walk before discovering the diagnosis, and as of his update, he’s in rehabilitation trying to relearn movement. He emphasised that, after beginning treatment, he feels “way better” and closer to his former self, saying, “I feel like me.”

    The cost of his treatment is steep: Roughly $4,000 per month, which prompted Mannie to launch a GoFundMe campaign. So far, donations—including small and large contributions—have already totalled over $12,000. In the videos, he expresses gratitude, acknowledging that the generosity gives him hope for “a better future”.

    What interests me about this moment is how it lives at the intersection of vulnerability, public identity, and health justice. Mannie is a content creator with a platform—he’s able to tell his truth, but he also confronts medical costs that many people face behind closed doors. The spectacle of needing crowdfunding for essential treatment underscores structural gaps in healthcare systems, especially for marginalised or precarious earners.

    At the same time, his disclosure carries social weight: It challenges stigma around HIV, normalises conversations about chronic illness, and reminds followers that “internet fame” doesn’t insulate one from suffering. But with that comes risk—criticism, invasion of privacy, judgment.

    I see this as a kind of reckoning: Mannie is asking his audience to witness him in his brokenness, to see both the body and the person. Whether or not people rally, his act of showing up as flawed is itself a form of courage.

  • Judge dismisses terrorism charge against Luigi Mangione in UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson murder case

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    A New York judge has dismissed the state terrorism charges against Luigi Mangione, though the broader murder indictment tied to the death of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson remains.

    Mangione, 27, faces a pair of prosecutions—one at the state level and one in federal court—and has pleaded not guilty on all counts. The state case included charges of first-degree murder and allegations that the killing was “an act of terrorism”, which carries life in prison under New York state law.

    In hearings held this week, Mangione’s legal team argued that the state and federal cases significantly overlap and that pursuing both constitutes double jeopardy. They also pushed for the dismissal of the terrorism count, contending that the evidence does not support the claim he intended to terrorise a civilian population.

    The court agreed to toss out the terrorism enhancement at the state level, though the murder charge stays. Meanwhile, federal charges—which include interstate stalking with possible death penalty exposure—are progressing independently.

    The decision marks a major shift in the legal landscape for the case. By removing the terrorism label under state law, public prosecutors lose one of their more severe tools. However, the core allegation—murder of Thompson—will still be adjudicated. Observers say the case intensifies debates over how terrorism statutes are applied and the balance between state and federal prosecutions.

  • Grey’s Anatomy actor Eric Dane diagnosed with ALS

    In a heartfelt revelation, Eric Dane, the seasoned actor celebrated for his roles in Grey’s Anatomy and HBO’s ‘Euphoria’, has disclosed his diagnosis with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). At fifty-two, Dane shared his gratitude for the unwavering support of his family during this challenging time. ALS, commonly known as Lou Gehrig’s disease, is a progressive neurodegenerative condition that affects nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord, leading to muscle weakness and, eventually, loss of voluntary muscle control. Despite the gravity of this diagnosis, Dane remains resolute in his commitment to his craft. He is set to return to the set of Euphoria for its third season, with filming scheduled to commence on April 14.

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    Dane’s personal life has also been under the spotlight. His wife, actress Rebecca Gayheart, with whom he shares two daughters, Billie Beatrice and Georgia Geraldine, recently emphasised the strength of their bond. Gayheart described their relationship as being “the best of friends”, highlighting their dedication to co-parenting and mutual support.

    As Dane confronts this new chapter, he has requested privacy for his family. His determination to continue working, coupled with the steadfast support of his loved ones, underscores his resilience. Fans and colleagues alike have expressed their solidarity, rallying behind the actor as he navigates this journey.

  • Pope Francis’ health in critical condition

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    Pope Francis, the eighty-eight-year-old leader of the Roman Catholic Church, is currently in critical condition following a severe asthmatic respiratory crisis. The Vatican reported that this episode necessitated the administration of high-flow oxygen and blood transfusions due to anemia and low platelet counts. Despite being alert and spending time in an armchair, his prognosis remains guarded.

    The Pope was admitted to Rome’s Gemelli Hospital on February 14 after experiencing breathing difficulties. He was subsequently diagnosed with double pneumonia and a complex lung infection. Doctors have expressed concerns about the potential for sepsis, a serious bloodstream infection, though no evidence of it has been found thus far. Given his age and medical history, including the removal of part of his right lung in his youth, Pope Francis is particularly vulnerable to respiratory ailments.

    In light of his hospitalisation, the Vatican has announced that Pope Francis will not lead Sunday prayers for the second consecutive week. This marks a significant deviation from his usual duties, as he has rarely missed public appearances due to health issues in the past. The global community has responded with an outpouring of support and prayers for the Pope’s recovery. Messages have come from various religious and political leaders, as well as from the faithful worldwide. The Vatican continues to provide updates on his condition as the situation develops.

  • Hospital ship returns to Sierra Leone to deliver life-changing surgeries over the next ten months

    The world’s largest civilian hospital ship, the “Global Mercy”, was welcomed back to Freetown yesterday in a partnership between international charity Mercy Ships (www.MercyShips.org) and the Government of Sierra Leone to deliver more than 1,400 life-transforming surgeries and continued training opportunities for Sierra Leonean healthcare workers.

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    The Global Mercy departed the country in June after spending the previous ten months performing 1,979 life-changing surgeries for 1,728 patients and training 145 healthcare professionals on board in that time.

    The ship’s return followed an invitation from President Julius Maada Bio for Mercy Ships to extend their stay to continue supporting the delivery of safe surgery and training in Sierra Leone.

    In his address last week, President Bio highlighted his commitment to affordable and quality healthcare for all Sierra Leoneans, aiming for Universal Health Coverage, and affirmed the partnership with Mercy Ships, which began in 1992.   

    In collaboration with the Ministry of Health, the charity selected patients in twelve locations across the country for the upcoming field service and supports ongoing training for staff at Connaught Hospital and students at the University of Sierra Leone, in line with Sierra Leone’s strategic healthcare plan. 

    The ship’s return, after a brief annual maintenance period in Tenerife to fulfill maritime law, was celebrated as the Global Mercy docked. 

    The Minister of Health, Dr Austin Demby welcomed the ship for the second time expressing his excitement about the possibilities of free surgeries for people in desperate need. 

    He said: “I’m extremely happy that Mercy Ships honoured the President’s call to stay longer to provide life-changing surgeries and train our healthcare professionals. In the next ten months, the ship will perform over 1,400 free surgeries and will continue on-ship training for 130 healthcare workers. As Minister of Health, I am excited about this possibility and very proud of the partnership with Mercy Ships.”

    Dr Sandra Lako, Mercy Ships Country Director for Sierra Leone, said: “We are delighted that the Global Mercy has returned to Sierra Leone. With the strong partnerships formed, we will build upon the existing impact and momentum, to support government plans towards the sustainable development of the surgical care system.”

    The ship, its volunteers and the Sierra Leonean day crew will now prepare the hospital on board the ship to deliver the next phase of free surgeries for surgical programmes including maxillofacial/head and neck, general, paediatric orthopaedic, paediatric general, reconstructive plastic, and ophthalmic.

  • HairPod, a podcast breaking stigmas surrounding hair loss

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    Hair Club for Men, Ltd, Inc. (“HairClub” or the “Company”), a wholly-owned subsidiary of Tokyo-based Aderans Co Ltd (“Aderans”), the world’s leading provider of total hair loss solutions, is thrilled to announce the launch of its latest venture—a weekly podcast called HairPod. This podcast features guests from all walks of life sharing their personal hair loss stories and life-changing experiences. HairPod aims to break the stigma surrounding hair loss and foster honest conversations about the topic.

    “Hair loss affects many people, but it’s not always discussed with the same openness and acceptance. With HairPod, we want to change that. We want everyone experiencing hair loss to know that they are not alone”, says Jonelle John, VP of Marketing at HairClub. “We want to create a safe space for individuals to share their stories and help others who may be going through a similar journey.”

    The podcast delves into the journey of overcoming hair loss and embracing transformations with courage. Featuring candid and heartfelt stories from ordinary people to public figures, each episode seeks to dispel the negative connotations associated with hair loss by showcasing those who have overcome this challenge and are now living their best lives.

    HairClub invites listeners to join the conversation and become part of a supportive community dedicated to changing the narrative around hair loss. By shedding light on this often-sensitive topic, the podcast aims to empower individuals to embrace their unique transformations and find strength in their journey.