JOPLIN, Mo. (KOAM) – Blood donations get lower this time of year but the need continues, according to an area non-profit blood center. The Community Blood Center of the Ozarks provides hospitals in southwest Missouri, northwest Arkansas and southeast Kansas life-saving blood. Montgomery,David
Blood Drive Setup Source: Xavierite The American Red Cross Club hosted an American Red Cross Annual Fall Blood Drive on Tuesday, Nov. 14 from 12-5 p.m. in the Wiseman Student Lounge. Other clubs involved were The Pre-Medical Society, Student Nurses Association, and Service Club. All donors received free socks with a holiday elf pattern from the Red Cross. All donors and volunteers also received club credit hours. One donation received two credits and one volunteer hour received one credit. Volunteer hours were stackable. Donors were asked to eat a healthy snack and drink an extra 16 oz. of water and fluids prior to their donation. Free snacks were provided for students and donors such as crackers, cookies, water, chips, and nutrition bars to keep donors blood sugar stable. For an appointment to donate, two forms were required to be filled out: a blood drive sign up form and an appointment scheduling form. Photo IDs, a blood donor card, or two other forms of ID were also required in order to donate blood. Since there were only 4 beds available at a time, The American Red Cross Club had donors make appointments in order to ensure a steady flow of people coming in. However, walk-ins were taken depending on the flow of the drive. According to Mia Cox, American Red Cross Club President, “Before blood transfusions blood donations are tested for blood type and infectious diseases. If a test result is positive, your donation will be discarded and you will be notified. When test results are received, units suitable for transfusion are labeled and stored.” Donors were asked to do Rapid Pass which is a quick prescreen to check their eligibility to donate. After their donation, the blood was processed and scanned into a database. “It is important for students to donate blood if they are able to. Blood Products are constantly used for life-saving procedures, emergency situations, and various treatments in healthcare settings. Without donations, these treatments would not be possible, and countless lives could be lost and affected as a result of being unable to receive blood products,” explains Olivia Artz, Student Nurses Association President. A total of seven students representing SNA volunteered to participate in the blood drive. Nursing students were able to work with members of the community and spread the word of the importance of donating blood. “If students weren’t able to attend this year’s blood drive, there are many resources available on the American Red Cross website that can help students find the closest and upcoming blood drive in the area. SNA hopes that everyone can recognize the importance of blood donation, and looks forward to seeing even more participation in years to come,” says Artz. The American Red Cross Club will be hosting another drive in the spring semester as well for students who could not donate blood this time around. About 40 students volunteered or donated this year. The American Red Cross Club sent in trained professionals to collect, store, and transplant the donations. In total Twenty-two units of blood were collected. According to Cox, “Every two seconds someone in the U.S. needs blood. It is essential for surgeries, cancer treatment, chronic illnesses, and traumatic injuries. Whether a patient receives whole blood, red cells, platelets or plasma, this lifesaving care starts with one person making a generous donation.” Blood is available to be shipped to hospitals 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Hospitals typically keep some blood units on their shelves, but may call for more at any time, such as, large scale emergencies,” says Cox. There are currently no upcoming events being hosted by the American Red Cross Club. If you are interested in attending any in the future, keep an eye out for event posts on the SXU Den. For more information pertaining to The American Red Cross Club contact, [email protected]. For more information pertaining to The Student Nurses Association contact, [email protected]. About Post Author
About 18 million blood transfusions occur each year in the U.S. Transfusions save lives every day. For trauma victims to newborn babies to cancer patients, transfusions have tremendous benefit. But not all transfusions are necessary, and some studies point to unneeded blood use. Behr says LVHN’s transfusions are much more targeted now. “We are giving the minimum dose required and waiting until the patient truly needs transfusion therapy in far more cases than ever before,” he says. As an example, Behr says, a patient transfused five years ago had a 50% chance of receiving two or more units of red blood cells versus just one unit. Now, the frequency is down to 20-22%. “Clinicians are more often giving a patient one unit and then assessing the situation, rather than going immediately to multiple units,” Behr says. “It’s a shift that’s having a positive impact across the board.”
Versiti and the Indianapolis Colts are partnering to host the 24th annual Bleed Blue Blood Drive on Dec. 15. Taking place at Lucas Oil Stadium, it’s the largest single-day blood drive in the state. The organization’s hope to welcome more than 1,000 donors, potentially saving up to 3,000 Hoosiers in need of lifesaving blood. All attempting donors will receive an exclusive, limited-edition Colts football featuring Colts center Ryan Kelly and will be entered to win tickets and pre-game sideline passes to the upcoming Colts home game on Dec. 31 against the Las Vegas Raiders. The Colts Pro Shop at the stadium also will be open during the event for fans who also would like to purchase holiday gifts. The blood drive will take place from 7:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m. at Lucas Oil Stadium, 500 S. Capitol Ave. There will be free parking on-site in the stadium’s South lot. To schedule an appointment to donate blood, call 1-317-916-5150 or visit versiti.org/bleedblue. Donating blood takes about an hour. Anyone age 17 or older in good health who meets eligibility requirements is encouraged to give. Parental consent is required for donors aged 16 to donate blood. Donors should bring a photo ID that includes their birth date.
The American Red Cross is urging donors to give thanks and give back by making a plan to give blood or platelets in the coming weeks. This time of year is traditionally hard on the nation’s blood supply. Seasonal illness, winter weather and holiday celebrations often lead to lower appointment numbers and decreased donor turnout, making it hard to keep up with the demand for blood products. Upcoming blood donation opportunities in the Sauk Valley from Dec. 1-17 include: Sterling Dec. 4: 8 a.m. to 2 p.m., Sterling High School, 1608 Fourth Ave. Dec. 14: 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., Sterling Bethel Reformed Church, 230 E. 23rd St. Dec. 14: 2-6:30 p.m., Sterling Bethel Reformed Church, 230 E. 23rd St. Prophetstown Dec. 11: 11:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., First Lutheran Church, 300 W. Third St. Savanna Dec. 15: 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., West Carroll High School, 500 Cragmoor Drive. How to donate blood A blood donor card or driver’s license or two other forms of identification are required at check-in. Individuals who are 17 years of age in most states (16 with parental consent where allowed by state law), weigh at least 110 pounds and are in generally good health may be eligible to donate blood. High school students and other donors 18 years of age and younger also have to meet certain height and weight requirements. The public can schedule an appointment now by using the Red Cross Blood Donor App, visiting RedCrossBlood.org or calling 800-733-2767. To celebrate the upcoming Prime Video release, Candy Cane Lane, those that come to give blood in December will be automatically entered to win a holiday prize package, including a $1,000 Amazon.com Gift Card and 65-inch Omni QLED Series Amazon Fire TV. There will be 12 winners. Plus, those who come to give Dec. 1-17 will get a $10 Amazon.com Gift Card by email. Terms for both offers apply. See rcblood.org/Amazon.
FORT CAVAZOS, Texas — The 411th Military Police Company (MPC) and the 720th Military Police Battalion will host a blood drive to help replenish the supply used to treat injured solider, SPC Benjamin Richardson, on Friday, Dec. 1 in Fort Cavazos. According to the 411th MPC, Richardson and his wife were injured in an accident on Nov. 24. Richardson is still hospitalized in the ICU at Baylor Scott & White. The 411th MPC says 40 units of blood were used during Richardson’s initial treatment and now they want to be able to refill those supplies. This blood drive will be held at the Robertson Blood Center at 2250 W 761st Tank Battalion Ave and is open to all soldiers and families who meet the blood donation requirements.
Getting stuck in traffic is one of the most common stressors that millions of Americans face every day. The bumper-to-bumper traffic can come at the cost of wasted gas, environmental pollution, and as new research shows, even spikes in blood pressure. Air pollution from traffic can cause a significant rise in blood pressure that can last up to 24 hours, according to a study via the University of Washington. The spike is comparable to the effect of a high-sodium diet and can contribute to cardiovascular problems. Long-term exposure to vehicle exhaust has been widely linked with respiratory problems such as asthma, especially in children. “Traffic air pollution increases blood pressure within an hour of being in traffic and it stays elevated a day later,” said author of the study Joel Kaufman, a physician and professor of environmental and occupational health sciences at the University of Washington. Sixteen healthy people between the ages of 22 and 45 underwent three separate drives as passengers through Seattle rush hour. Two of those drives were “unfiltered”, meaning the road air was allowed to enter the car, as is the case for many drivers on the road today. On the third drive, a Hepa (high efficiency particulate absorbing) filter was installed in the car, with participants unaware which drive had filtration. The researchers measured the blood pressure of the passengers before, during and after the two-hour drive. Breathing unfiltered air resulted in blood pressure increase of more than 4.5mm Hg (millimeters of mercury) compared to filtered air. Most of the pollution came from tailpipe exhaust or the fossil fuel combustion, as well as brake and tire wear. The filters were most effective in reducing ultrafine particles (86% decrease), black carbon, which is mostly from diesel (86%), and PM2.5 (60%) while gasses like carbon dioxide and nitrogen oxide were unaffected. “The clue here is that these tiniest particles are probably what’s responsible for blood pressure difference,” Kaufman said. In the US, people of color are more likely to live in close proximity to highways. The Federal Highway Act of 1956 spurred construction of 41,000 miles (66,000km) of the interstate system that bulldozed communities of color, split neighborhoods, and devalued property – all while perpetuating air pollution. “Historical practices of disinvestment have resulted in pretty strong racial disparities in traffic-related air pollution in the US,” said Sara Adar, associate professor of epidemiology at the University of Michigan School of Public Health, who was not involved in the study. “Neighborhoods that were redlined were more commonly disrupted by highway developments than white neighborhoods.” skip past newsletter promotion after newsletter promotion Improving traffic and reducing driving with fossil fuel vehicles are among the societal solutions that Kaufman sees as effective. On an individual level, avoiding these exposures by spending less time in traffic is the best possible action. If that’s not possible, closing windows, getting a car filter, and putting air on the recirculation setting can also help. If you can’t control the ventilation system – for instance in public transport – wearing an effective respirator mask can offer protection. “If you live in an area that has heavy traffic related to air pollution, you want to keep your windows closed and have air filtration capability in your home,” Kaufman said.
Fontana resident Bruce Lutz, 71, first donated blood 43 years ago when he was 28 years old. On Nov. 24, Lutz reached his lifetime blood donation milestone, becoming a 100-gallon donor at LifeStream Blood Bank’s Ontario Donor Center. Lutz, who has lived in the Fontana area since he was 10 years old, said he started giving blood when he was in the U.S. Army. He then started his own plastic molding business, which he ran for 30 years, all while continuing to donate platelets and plasma at the Ontario Donor Center. “I donate because it can save someone’s life,” said Lutz. “God gave me platelets and plasma for free. I wish more people understood how important these products are for patients. I always ask people how many gallons they have donated. There is always a need for more blood donors.” Lutz’s daughter, granddaughter, and grandson are also blood donors. “My favorite thing about LifeStream and the Ontario Donor Center are the people who work there. I have gotten to know many of the phlebotomists who have worked there over the years, and some have moved up in the company. It’s nice to see,” he said. LifeStream is a local, nonprofit blood bank that provides blood products and services to more than 80 Southern California hospitals. For more information, call 800-879-4484 or visit LStream.org.
The Lakewood community honored four fallen officers Wednesday morning who were killed 14 years ago in the line of duty. On Nov. 29, 2009, Maurice Clemmons walked into a coffee shop and shot four officers preparing for their shifts. Sgt. Mark Renninger, officers Ronald Owens, Tina Griswold, and Greg Richards. Ever since that tragic incident, the Lakewood community has communed for an annual food and blood drive, turning that loss into something positive for people in need. Every November in remembrance of Sgt. Mark Renninger and officers Ronnie Owens, Tina Griswold and Greg Richards we ask the community to help us honor their lives by collectively giving back through our annual food drive and blood drive,” the LPD wrote on their Facebook page. “In the years since their deaths, we have watched their children grow up, and offered support to their families as they try to move forward in their respective lives while balancing grief and sadness at futures stolen from them. It has not been easy. The accused getaway driver for Clemmons pled guilty earlier this year to conspiracy to commit second-degree murder. Investigators said Darcus Allen drove Clemmons to the scene, waited as Clemmons ambushed the officers at a coffee shop, and drove him away. Clemmons was killed two days later in a confrontation with a Seattle police officer. Allen has maintained he did not know what Clemmons was planning to do, but prosecutors accused him of being an accomplice who helped plan the murders and tampered with evidence by deleting all calls and texts to Clemmons on a burner phone. The food drive ran from 6 a.m. and ended at 5:30 p.m. A blood drive will be held at the LPD station starting at 8:30 p.m. this evening.
Please join the Chappaqua Fire Department, Millwood Fire Department and Chappaqua Volunteer Ambulance for a CO-SPONSORED BLOOD DRIVE on December 2nd from 9:30AM – 3:30PM at the Millwood Fire Company. To make an appointment, please click HERE
