Ever heard of the “Christmas holiday effect”? Your cardiologist has. The term refers to the annual uptick in cardiovascular deaths in late December and early January. The reasons for the increase are many. Issues with stress, poorly controlled blood pressure, and delays in seeing the doctor or going to the hospital can exacerbate heart conditions and overindulging can play a role for those with a history of heart failure or cardiomyopathy. Even deviating from your normal routine may be significant enough to impact heart health. Click herefor a Scripps cardiologist’s recommendations for keeping your heart healthy.
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Finding a gift that feels truly personal can be surprisingly difficult. In a sea of generic options — flowers, gift cards, candles, and the like — Xplosion Box offers something more lasting: a customized keepsake built around the photos, messages, and memories that matter most.
Founded by Southern California entrepreneur Jay Vijay, Xplosion Box LLC creates fully customized explosion gift boxes that arrive professionally designed, printed, assembled, and ready to gift. Each box opens layer by layer to reveal personal photos, heartfelt messages, pull-out albums, origami-style photo pockets, and hidden notes, turning a simple gift into an emotional reveal.
The brand was built for people who want to give something meaningful without spending hours printing photos, cutting paper, folding cardstock, or assembling a DIY project. Customers simply choose a box, upload their favorite photos, add personal messages, and the Xplosion Box team transforms those details into a polished keepsake that feels thoughtful, personal, and beautifully made.
Xplosion Box offers personalized gift boxes for birthdays, anniversaries, weddings, graduations, Mother’s Day, Father’s Day, Valentine’s Day, Christmas, proposals, bridesmaid gifts, long-distance relationships, and thoughtful “just because” moments.
Customers can choose from flexible customization options starting at $27. The Mini Surprise Box includes 10 photos, three message cards, and one hidden secret note, while the Mega Surprise Box offers a fuller keepsake experience with 40 photos, three message cards, and one hidden secret note.
What sets Xplosion Box apart is its high level of customization combined with convenience. Filled with personal photos, custom text, decorative details, and layered surprises, each box gives customers the freedom to create a gift that feels one-of-a-kind — without having to make it themselves.
At its core, Xplosion Box helps people turn favorite photos, stories, and words into something tangible: a keepsake that can be opened, revisited, and remembered long after the occasion has passed. asion has passed.
On the night of December 7, 2023, San Diego Police Sgt. Anthony Elliott’s life changed forever. He was shot in the head while responding to a call. He was taken to the Barbey Family Emergency and Trauma Center at Scripps Memorial Hospital La Jolla, one of two Level I trauma centers in the Scripps system. His doctors were amazed that he remained conscious and alert. He had surgery to repair his skull, then transitioned to the medical-surgical unit, where he began physical therapy. Tony also enrolled in Scripps’ Brain Injury Rehab Outpatient Program. Though his journey wasn’t easy, his hard work and determination, combined with the expert care he received, allowed him to return to the career he loves just one year later. Read more about Tony’s story and the specialized care he received at Scripps here.
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A young athlete beat testicular cancer with the support of Scripps MD Anderson Cancer Center
Sean
In May 2021, 22-year-old Sean O’Callaghan made a life-changing discovery that took him on an unexpected health journey. One side of his testicles looked bigger than the other, then he started to experience numbness and pain. Sean went to his primary care physician and heard the news no one wants to hear—it was likely testicular cancer. He sought treatment at Scripps MD Anderson Cancer Center and his care team coordinated a disease-specific care plan that included surgery and chemotherapy. He kept a positive outlook throughout treatment and is now cancer-free. Read more of his story here.
When in doubt, get it checked out—that’s the message for men with any testicular concerns. Testicular cancer is most common in men ages 15 to 44. As with many cancers, the key to successful treatment is early detection. Click here for common symptoms of testicular cancer.
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The 53rd Scripps Invitational Golf Tournament raised more than $600,000
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The 53rd Scripps Invitational Golf Tournament on September 30 raised more than $600,000 for research and innovation at Scripps Clinic. Golfers enjoyed an afternoon on the Torrey Pines South Golf Course, which was followed by an outdoor awards reception at The Lodge at Torrey Pines. Also, long-time volunteer and supporter, Jean Snow-Anderson, received the Ellen Browning Scripps Humanitarian Award for her contributions to Scripps Health.
That said, this holiday season, it’s better to give and receive. You may not be getting all the tax advantages of your charitable donations and the clock may be running out to cash in on philanthropy’s financial benefits. Click here to find out if your donations may qualify for a tax break if you itemize deductions on your federal income tax return.
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The holidays are right around the corner and while electronics and the must-have toys of the year are probably pretty high on your child’s wish list, gifts that will keep them active have far better benefits. Active play can help kids develop healthy habits early on and can also promote academic performance, improve sleep, sharpen motor skills, decrease stress, and boost self-esteem. There are a ton of options to keep active kids engaged, such as bikes, sports equipment, and fun experiences like surf lessons or a trip to a trampoline park. And as always, safety is paramount. Check out our top picks for holiday gifts here.
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How Scripps is making leading-edge surgical care more convenient and accessible
Outpatient Orthopedic Surgery
Orthopedics is changing for the better, and Scripps is at the forefront. Delivering quality care is at the heart of Scripps’ mission, and its orthopedics program is a pillar of that excellence. Advanced technology and expanded capabilities in the orthopedics field are making invasive procedures and extended hospital stays things of the past for many patients. Their surgical needs can often be better met through outpatient procedures that allow them to receive the same world-class care, but recover in the comfort of their own homes. Scripps’ orthopedic surgeons see patients with a wide range of conditions, many of which can now be treated on an outpatient basis. This includes both common and complex procedures, such as hip and knee replacements; spine surgery; hand, wrist and elbow surgery; and treatment for sports-related injuries. Read more about the benefits of outpatient surgery and Scripps’ ambulatory surgery centers here.
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