One hiked the Appalachian Trail and overcame several setbacks until she completed her adventure. The other one only learned to swim at 59 and now finished the Ironman Kona on Hawaii as the oldest woman ever.

Good News of the Week: An app helps the deaf community, a blood test detects cancer earlier, standard time may reduce strokes, bamboo-based plastic is making progress, and two 80-year-old women impress with remarkable athletic achievements.

Good news of the week: An endangered whale species is recovering in the North Atlantic, a sea turtle is no longer considered endangered, and young elephants could soon be protected from a deadly disease with a vaccine.

Five uplifting stories this week: from students hiking off their punishment to global clean-energy progress, a simple question about happiness, and the surprising power of quiet friendships.