Ferrari nets first singles win for Illini

LAS VEGAS –- Freshman Kida Ferrari notched the Illini women's tennis program's first win of the season at the Bella the Ball Collegiate Invitational on Sunday. Her first collegiate win - a nailbiter - came via a 7-5, 7-6 (1) decision over Baylor's Ana Zamburek during Illinois' first tennis match of the season.

Unfortunately, the rest of the squad did not fare as well as the Illini dropped their season opener to the #11 ranked Lady Bears, 6-1.

Illinois earned just one win towards the doubles point thanks to Josie Frazier and Ashley Yeah. The junior duo snagged a win on the #2 doubles court, besting Baylor's Isabella Harvison and Alicia Herrero.

The Illini lost three of their singles matches in tiebreakers. Illinois' freshman Megan Heuser struggled in her first set against Herrero on the #4 court. Finding her game, Heuser stormed back to take the second set, 6-1. The stage was now set for a third-set thriller, which ended at 6-all. In the end, Herrero outlasted the Heuser 11-9 to take the match.

BOX SCORE

Baylor 6, Illinois 1

Doubles -
1. Alina Shcherbinina/Anita Sahdiieva (BU) def. Kate Duong/Megan Heuser (ILL) 7-5
2. Josie Frazier/Ashley Yeah (ILL) def. Isabella Harvison/Alicia Herrero (BU) 6-4
3. Ana Zamburek/Paula Baranano (BU) def. Emily Casati/Kasia Treiber (ILL) 6-1

Singles -
1. Alina Shcherbinina (BU) def. Kate Duong (ILL) 7-6 (7-5), 3-6, 6-1
2. Isabella Harvison (BU) def. Ashley Yeah (ILL) 2-6, 6-4, 6-2
3. Anita Sahdiieva (BU) def. Josie Frazier (ILL) 6-3, 6-4
4. Alicia Herrero (BU) def. Megan Heuser (ILL) 6-2, 1-6, 7-6 (11-9)
5. Paula Baranano (BU) def. Kasia Treiber (ILL) 6-1, 3-6, 6-0
6. Kida Ferrari (ILL) def. Ana Zamburek (BU) 7-5, 7-6 (7-1)

Financial planning strategies for LGBTQ+ couples that make sense

Photo: NewsUSA

(NewsUSA) -- Every family has a unique financial situation with its own set of challenges. However, financial planning can be a bit more complex for LGBTQ+ couples. Depending on the state in which they live, LGBTQ+ couples may find it hard to secure access to health care, higher earning opportunities and retirement savings.

CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNERTM professionals can help LGBTQ+ couples navigate these challenges and develop financial planning strategies tailored to their specific needs and the laws of their state.

Here are 4 examples of strategies that a CFP® professional can help you consider:

1. Estate planning: Estate planning is important for LGBTQ+ couples, particularly when considerable assets are involved such as multiple retirement accounts or real estate. In addition to a will and beneficiary designations, your estate plan should also explain how your medical wishes should be honored. Your plan should include health care proxies and medical powers of attorney.

2. Retirement planning: A CFP® professional will work with you to choose the best savings and investment options to meet your retirement goals. They can help align your investment options with your values, combine or consolidate retirement accounts, and make annual contributions. A CFP® professional can also help you review your beneficiary designations to ensure your loved ones are protected. This includes understanding the tax implications of naming a spouse and unmarried partner as a beneficiary.

3. Insurance planning: A CFP® professional can help you evaluate your needs for foundational insurance -- that is, health, life, long-term care and disability insurance. It is important to know your rights, resources and insurance-policy details before incorporating insurance into your financial plan. For example, many insurance carriers recognize domestic partner status and will offer a preferred rate if you live with your life partner, even if you are not legally married.

4. Family planning: Deciding whether to get married and whether to start a family involves many important financial considerations for LGBTQ+ couples. Marriage may offer several long-term financial benefits, including health care coverage and federal protection of certain assets. Alternatively, a domestic partnership agreement can provide financial protections for unmarried LGBTQ+ couples. And starting a family may mean saving for fertility treatments, or a domestic or international adoption program.

These strategies, along with other financial best practices, can help put LGBTQ+ couples on a path to financial success.

You can find a CFP® professional by visiting LetsMakeAPlan.org and using the Find A CFP® Professional tool. You can also filter your search to find a planner with experience working with LGBTQ+ individuals and couples.

Campaign promotes fun way to keep an eye on your blood pressure

(NewsUSA) -- Approximately half of U.S. adults have high blood pressure, but many don't know it, according to the American Heart Association. A new public service campaign from the American Heart Association, American Medical Association and Ad Council in partnership with HHS Office of Minority Health and Health Resources & Services Administration encourages all adults to take control by monitoring their blood pressure at home and sharing the numbers with their doctor.

This new campaign is a fun way to get people engaged in monitoring their blood pressure and keeping it under control

The "Get Down with Your Blood Pressure" public service announcement uses catchy music and memorable dance moves to get the attention of people who have and are at increased risk for high blood pressure and negative health consequences associated with it, such as heart attack, stroke and severe complications of COVID-19.

The campaign keeps it simple, and encourages those with high blood pressure to regularly follow four easy steps: "Get It, Slip It, Cuff It, Check It." That means Get the blood pressure cuff, Slip it on, use the band to Cuff your arm, Check your blood pressure with a validated monitor and share the numbers with your doctor. The campaign's detailed instructional videos are available in English and Spanish.

"This new campaign is a fun way to get people engaged in monitoring their blood pressure and keeping it under control -- which can often feel daunting to many patients"-- and is timely given that high blood pressure puts patients at higher risk of severe complications of COVID-19," says American Medical Association president Gerald E. Harmon, M.D. "We are committed to eliminating structural drivers of health inequities that place Black and Brown communities at increasing risk of heart disease," Dr. Harmon adds.

The campaign emphasizes self-monitoring and encourages individuals to work with their doctors to create a personalized plan to manage and treat high blood pressure. Changes to unhealthy eating habits and increases in physical activity may be all it takes to get your blood pressure to a healthy range. However, sometimes it's not that simple. If your doctor prescribes a blood pressure medication, be sure to take it as directed.

"This campaign is part of the American Heart Association's National Hypertension Control Initiative," says Donald M. Lloyd-Jones, M.D., ScM, F.A.H.A., president of the American Heart Association, chair of the Department of Preventive Medicine and Eileen M. Foell Professor of Heart Research and Professor of Preventive Medicine, Medicine, and Pediatrics at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine in Chicago, Illinois. "The initiative encompasses direct education and training on blood pressure measurement and management with health care professionals in community health centers and community-based organizations. We are meeting people where they are with access to blood pressure education and resources to reduce high blood pressure in communities that need it most."

Visit heart.org/hbpcontrol for more information about blood pressure management.