The John Wayne Cancer Institute at Providence Saint John's Health Center has been shaping a vital future for cancer patients and their families for more than 30 years. In this post from our Shape the Future Blog Series, this internationally recognized leader in basic, translational and clinical cancer research shares how the Institute has changed the way cancer is detected, diagnosed and treated worldwide.

In the aftermath of the terrorist attacks in Paris, the U.N.'s global conference on climate change that will take place there next week has become more important than ever. The conference presents a unique opportunity for world leaders to express their support for the people of Paris, and to re-affirm their shared commitment to addressing common threats.

GBCHealth and Global Health Council announced last week the winners of the Business Action on Health Awards, bestowed annually to the world’s best corporate-supported global health programs. The awards were presented to two winning and five commended companies at Global Health Council’s Landscape Symposium held in Washington D.C and attended by over 150 representatives from the international development, global health and business sectors.

The 2015 winners are healthcare company Abbott (in the Core Business Competency category) and digital marketing agency Ontarget (in the Innovation and Technology category). LifeSpring Hospitals, Ecobank, Johnson & Johnson, Medtronic and ZMQ received commendations.

Prime Minister David Cameron’s wise decision to phase out coal-fired electricity generation over the next decade, at a faster pace than any other developed country, is welcome news for the global climate and the health of communities throughout the U.K. Coming just weeks before international climate talks are set to begin in Paris, this bold step in the birthplace of the coal-powered industrial revolution sends a clear and unmistakable message to other government leaders.

This week, AT&T announced its goal to enable carbon savings 10 times the carbon footprint of its operations by 2025. That’s an impressive commitment to be sure. In fact, it very well might be a B-hag (Big, Hairy, Audacious Goal). I love to see companies make these big goals. The real problems we’re trying to solve with sustainability don’t necessarily have answers yet, and it’s a bold company who will make a public goal they don’t yet have a plan to meet.

generationOn, the youth division of Points of Light, and Hasbro, Inc. (NASDAQ:HAS) have partnered for The Joy Maker Challenge. Now in its sixth year, the annual campaign connects youth ages 5-18 to meaningful, hands-on service projects and encourages them to take action and spread some much needed joy to those in need during the holiday season through volunteerism. For every kid and teen who volunteers as part of the campaign, Hasbro will donate a toy or game to Toys for Tots, up to $1 million worth.

GivingTuesday is asking shoppers to observe the season of giving in a different way: by first donating, then sharing their giving stories using the hashtag #GivingTuesday. Yet, when it comes to online giving, a sizeable gap still remains between what Americans say they will do, and what they have actually done, according to the 2014 Cone Communications Digital Activism Study.

This is the John Heinz National Wildlife Refuge, almost 1,000 acres of woods, pond, marsh, and meadow dedicated to wildlife conservation. The refuge is a crucial habitat for both resident and migrant birds. Without these habitats to use as a stopover, the migrant birds would be in great survival danger.