CHULA VISTA, Calif. (KGTV) – Loved ones of a South Bay father of 3 are speaking out, after a ‘mystery’ respiratory infection left him on a ventilator, battling for his life, during a trip to the Philippines. “Every day I wake up, it’s anxiety ridden,” said Emma Gaines-Ramos. SDSU students and sisters Emma and A.J. Gaines-Ramos are enduring an emotional waiting game. “We definitely feel helpless, “ said A.J. Gaines-Ramos. In early August, their father, Armando Ramos, 53, a software engineer, traveled from Chula Vista to Manilla, Philippines after the death of his mother. It was a sobering trip, but was going as planned. Ramos helped arrange a service for his mother. Days later, he came down with a sore threat, and became tired. Five days after the first symptoms, Ramos was rushed to a hospital. “It was the chest pains, and difficulty breathing that led him ultimately to go the the ER,” said Emma. A screen grab shows a video call with his three daughters, a day after being admitted. Diagnosed with pneumonia, he was intubated and placed on a ventilator within days. His condition quickly deteriorated. Family members say one lung collapsed, his brain became inflamed, and his kidneys started to fail. There were complications with his heart and liver. Ramos, who had no underlying conditions, tested negative for COVID and the flu. “Right now it’s a mystery … every day, we still don’t know what’s happening to him,” said Emma. While more tests are underway, the family only knows it’s a respiratory infection. There are parallels to the pandemic. “It is traumatizing, in the sense, when the pandemic first occurred, nobody knew what was happening. You’re kind of just treating the symptoms, but not getting to the source of it. That’s what it feels like is happening right now,” said Emma. “It’s a cruel deja vu witht the pandemic … Every day, anticipating his state and not knowing, it’s scary,” said A.J. While Ramos’ situation remains critical, there has been some good news in the past days. His kidneys are improving, along with his oxygen levels. “He’s so stubborn, he’s going to fight, “ said A.J. “We’re going to fight by his side,” said Emma. Doctors have removed bacteria-filled fluid from Ramos’ lungs and continue with tests, including for meningitis. A Gofundme campaignhas been started to help with medical expenses.
Lili Reinhart appears to be setting the record straight on that red carpet moment with Sydney Sweeney. In case you missed it, the Riverdale actress and the Euphoria star both attended an Armani Beauty event on Sept. 1 amid the Venice International Film Festival. As Lili posed for a celeb-filled photo—one that also included Lukas Gage, Michael Evans Behling, Camila Mendes, Maude Apatow, Chase Stokes and Jonathan Daviss—on the red carpet, Sydney came over and greeted the group with a hug. However, some fans wondered if there was any drama between the two after a video of Lili’s facial expression following Sydney’s arrival went viral on social media. “Certainly something going on,” one commenter wrote on TikTok. “There’s a whole vibe.” Added another, “I need the teaaaa.” Well, it looks like Lili is ready to spill—and it appears there isn’t any beef between her and Sydney. Seemingly shutting down the speculation, the Chemical Hearts star tweeted Sept. 4, “Stop making villains out of women every chance you get.”
Emergency departments at Calgary hospitals have been flooded with children following an infectious disease outbreak at daycares across the city. Alberta Health Sevices (AHS) confirmed that multiple children arrived at the Alberta Children’s Hospital with bloody diarrhea over the Labour Day long weekend, and that they are dealing with an E.coli outbreak. The outbreak is believed to have originated at a central kitchen that is shared by six locations of Fueling Brains, a daycare that operates multiple locations in Calgary, as well as five additional institutions, AHS said in its statement. CBC News has reached out to Fuelling Brains. The company said they will respond on Tuesday with more information. 12 patients hospitalized In its statement, AHS said that there are 17 lab-confirmed cases that have been linked to the outbreak, as well as 12 individuals hospitalized. Up to 50 children have come to hospitals, AHS said. “A lot of these kids, unfortunately, have to be admitted for 24 hours,” said Dr. Arun Abbi, president of Emergency medicine with Alberta Medical Association, told CBC News in an interview. “They’ll have to make sure there’s no kidney damage.” All of the sites linked to the central kitchen where the outbreak came from have been issued a closure order until the situation is resolved. They include: Fueling Brains Braeside. Fueling Brains West 85th. Fueling Brains New Brighton. Fueling Brains Centennial. Fueling Brains Bridgeland. Fueling Brains McKnight. Braineer Academy. Kidz Space. Little Oak Early Education (formerly Mangrove). Almond Branch School. Vik Academy in Okotoks, Alta. Katie Mclean, whose daughter goes to the McKnight location of Fuelling Brains, said she started noticing symptoms late last week. “She was sent home with a very low fever and then over the next couple of days, there was blood in her diarrhea and that was the thing that tipped us off to call Health Link,” she said, referring to a phone line that provides health information and advice. “We went to the ER on Sunday. It was filled with parents and toddlers …I overheard some other parents talking about an outbreak and their daycare.” Mclean said that she has not heard anything from the location her daughter attends about an outbreak yet. In a letter addressed to parents of the New Brighton location obtained by CBC News, the daycare asks parents and guardians to make sure their children “urgently” seek medical attention if they display any symptoms of gastrointestinal outbreak symptoms. Symptoms include nausea or vomiting, diarrhea, stomach cramps or pain, bloating or gas, loss of appetite, fever or fatigue. More serious problems Some forms of a E.coli cause a common illness, such as traveller’s diarrhea. But Dr. Stephen Freedman, a professor of pediatrics and emergency medicine at the University of Calgary, says that what AHS is seeing in this outbreak — shiga-toxin positive e.coli — can lead to more serious issues. In addition to causing mild diarrhea when people are first infected, Freedman explained that after a couple of days, those infected can experience significant abdominal pains, cramping and frequent bloody diarrhea anywhere from 10 times a day up to 40 times a day. The biggest concern however, he said, is that this bacteria that secretes a toxin that can damage other parts of the body. “The toxin gets absorbed into the bloodstream and then circulates to other organs and can lead to impacts on on the kidneys,” Freedman said. “Only about 15 to 20 per cent of children who have this … type of infection developed these complications at all. The other 80 to 85 per cent really have very uncomfortable, bothersome, and concerning diarrhea, abdominal pains and can have dehydration.”
Israeli Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu threatened to boot illegal aliens residing in Israel amid a bloody weekend of violence and rioting between rival groups in Tel Aviv. The bloody brawls took place between pro- and anti-government migrants from Eritrea to protest an event organized by the Eritrean Embassy in Tel Aviv. Those individuals are seeking asylum, claiming their lives or liberty is at risk in the country. According to a bystander, the blue shirts indicated the individuals were against the Eritrean government. BELGIAN BOY BEATEN TO TEARS, FORCED TO KISS FEET OF SUSPECTED MIGRANTS IN VIDEO, SPARKING OUTCRY “Where are the police?” another bystander asked, according to a video of the incident. About 30 police officers were injured — with some estimates as high as 50 — as they tried to squelch the rioting and brawls from hundreds of Eritreans, according to the Associated Press. Some of the protesters threw rocks at the police, causing law enforcement to use live fire. AFRICAN ASYLUM SEEKER SMASHES UP GERMAN IMMIGRATION OFFICE, FORCING IT TO GO INTO SHUT DOWN “Eritreans from both sides faced off with construction lumber, pieces of metal, rocks and at least one axe, tearing through a neighborhood of south Tel Aviv where many asylum seekers live. Protesters smashed shop windows and police cars, and blood spatter was seen on sidewalks. One government supporter was lying in a puddle of blood in a children’s playground,” the AP reported. Anti and pro-government Eritrean migrants brawl in Southern Tel Aviv, Israel. (Twitter/screenshot ) Netanyahu argued that it was hypocritical for the pro-government bloc to claim asylum from their home country. Eritrea is an African country on the Red Sea coast. It shares borders with Ethiopia, Sudan and Djibouti. Police released a video following the unrest, showing businesses, cars and police vehicles nearly destroyed. TRUCKER IN GERMANY DRAGS RADICAL CLIMATE PROTESTER WITH VEHICLE DURING BRUTAL CONFRONTATION Netanyahu further expressed a threat to send the migrants involved in the violence and property destruction back to Africa. “We want harsh measures against the rioters, including the immediate deportation of those who took part,” Netanyahu said. Dozens of migrants were reportedly injured in the clash with police. CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP For more Culture, Media, Education, Opinion and channel coverage, visit foxnews.com/media. Hannah Grossman is a Reporter at Fox News Digital.
LINCOLN, Neb. (KOLN) – Three years ago this past weekend, Lincoln Police Department Investigator Mario Herrera was shot while serving a search warrant. Twelve days later, he passed away. This year, a blood drive is happening again to honor him. Thanks to blood donations and blood transfusions, Herrera’s family was able to get 12 extra days by his side. The tragedy serves as a stark reminder that donating blood can make a huge difference. Lincoln Police, along with Lincoln Fire and rescue, encourage anyone who can donate to do just that. To help other people and their families. “The legacy of 12 Days of Hope Blood Drives that are happening during this time are crucial,” said Kari Lundeen, Nebraska Community Blood Bank. “We’re in a time where some of our blood types have less than a three day supply, so people coming out to donate in honor of Mario is extremely important.” Monday’s blood drive has wrapped up, but there’s another happening Thursday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Hall of Justice. Participants are asked to schedule an appointment before arriving. Copyright 2023 KOLN. All rights reserved.
Top public health officials to donate blood to mark updated FDA guidelines for gay and bisexual men
DEDHAM, Mass. — The state’s public health commissioner and a former Centers for Disease Control and Prevention director will come together on Tuesday to donate blood amid new rules that open blood donation to gay and bisexual men. DPH Commissioner Robbie Goldstein and former CDC Director Rochelle Walensky will both donate blood together “to commemorate the recently updated rules enabling many gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men to donate blood,” the Massachusetts Department of Public Health said in a statement on Monday. The two will donate blood together at the Red Cross Dedham Donation Center, officials said. In May, the Food and Drug Administration eased restrictions that had previously prohibited many blood donations by gay and bisexual men after years of pressure by the American Medical Association, blood banks and LGBTQ rights groups. This month, the American Red Cross began accepting donations from eligible gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men. “For nearly a decade, Drs. Walensky and Goldstein have worked together to change the policy for blood donation eligibility, advocating that donation criteria should be based on science and risk, and not stigmatize based on sexual orientation,” state public health officials said. Goldstein and Walensky publicly wrote about the issue in 2017, “in the wake of the Pulse nightclub shooting, when most gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men were unable to donate blood and help their community in this meaningful way,” officials said. “During the past 2½ years, when Dr. Walensky led the CDC and Dr. Goldstein worked with her as a senior policy advisor, they continued their efforts to revise eligibility guidelines,” officials said. The two made a pact that when the regulations finally changed, they would donate blood together, officials said. This is a developing story. Check back for updates as more information becomes available. Download the FREE Boston 25 News app for breaking news alerts. Follow Boston 25 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch Boston 25 News NOW ©2023 Cox Media Group
There’s an urgent call to give back before we see potential impacts from Idalia.OneBlood needs donations. There’s a dire need for Type O-negative, Type O-positive and platelets.“Hurricanes and tropical systems often disrupt blood collections for several days. The most critical time for blood donations is prior to any storm or hurricane in order to sustain the blood supply during and immediately after the event,” said Susan Forbes, OneBlood’s senior vice president of corporate communications and public relations.OneBlood encourages all eligible donors to roll up their sleeves and give. They serve more than 250 hospitals throughout the Southeast. Forbes says a lot of patients rely on the community’s support during emergencies. “There’s still cancer patients, premature babies, sickle cell patients, trauma patients, the list goes on and on of the people who are in the hospital and will be there during the storm who require blood transfusions. Making blood donations part of your hurricane preps is such a wonderful community service that you’re doing. I know we’re all rushing around getting our own supplies and getting our own lives in order. But you have the potential to help save somebody’s life during this storm. And it’s a power that we encourage you to share and help save people’s lives,” Forbes said. People as young as 16 can donate with their parents’ permission.Donors also need to be at least 110 pounds and in good health.OneBlood encourages all eligible donors to visit a donor center or Big Red Bus as soon as possible. For a list of OneBlood locations, visit www.oneblood.org. There’s an urgent call to give back before we see potential impacts from Idalia. OneBlood needs donations. There’s a dire need for Type O-negative, Type O-positive and platelets. Advertisement “Hurricanes and tropical systems often disrupt blood collections for several days. The most critical time for blood donations is prior to any storm or hurricane in order to sustain the blood supply during and immediately after the event,” said Susan Forbes, OneBlood’s senior vice president of corporate communications and public relations. OneBlood encourages all eligible donors to roll up their sleeves and give. They serve more than 250 hospitals throughout the Southeast. Forbes says a lot of patients rely on the community’s support during emergencies. “There’s still cancer patients, premature babies, sickle cell patients, trauma patients, the list goes on and on of the people who are in the hospital and will be there during the storm who require blood transfusions. Making blood donations part of your hurricane preps is such a wonderful community service that you’re doing. I know we’re all rushing around getting our own supplies and getting our own lives in order. But you have the potential to help save somebody’s life during this storm. And it’s a power that we encourage you to share and help save people’s lives,” Forbes said. People as young as 16 can donate with their parents’ permission. Donors also need to be at least 110 pounds and in good health. OneBlood encourages all eligible donors to visit a donor center or Big Red Bus as soon as possible. For a list of OneBlood locations, visit www.oneblood.org.
For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails The NHS is expanding blood pressure checks available in local communities as part of a major drive to prevent strokes and heart attacks. NHS figures show high street pharmacies delivered a total of 149,865 blood pressure checks to the over 40s in May 2023, more than double the 58,345 delivered the year before. New funding as part of the primary care access recovery plan will see a further 2.5 million blood pressure checks in community pharmacies, which are estimated to prevent more than 1,350 cardiovascular events each year. As part of the scheme, mobile sites have visited places such as barber shops, supermarkets, mosques and dominoes clubs so that local teams can find potential health problems for patients at locations that are most convenient. At a time when the NHS is busier than ever, making more of these free checks available in local communities has the potential to help millions more people improve their heart health, and prevent more heart attacks and strokes John Maingay, British Heart Foundation David Webb, chief pharmaceutical officer for England, said: “The enormous expansion in the number of blood pressure checks delivered over the last year is thanks to the hard work of community pharmacies which have more than doubled the number of blood pressure checks delivered, and the innovation of local teams, going into the heart of communities with mobile sites that can visit places like barber shops and dominoes clubs. “With the number of people living with major illnesses including heart disease and other cardiovascular conditions set to grow substantially over the coming years, it has never been more important to put in place preventative measures like easy to access blood pressure checks that can pick up the early signs and risks, with figures showing teams are on track to prevent more than 1,300 heart attacks and strokes this year alone.” The Health Foundation estimates that 9.1 million people will be living with a major illness by 2040, 2.5 million more than in 2019. John Maingay, director of policy and influencing at the British Heart Foundation, urged people to take up the local checks. He said: “Having high blood pressure can significantly increase your risk of having a heart attack and stroke, but it can be difficult to know you have it unless you check because it doesn’t usually have any obvious symptoms. “At a time when the NHS is busier than ever, making more of these free checks available in local communities has the potential to help millions more people improve their heart health, and prevent more heart attacks and strokes. “We urge everyone to take up a free blood pressure check in your neighbourhood – it’s quick, easy, and could help save your life.”
14 minutes ago LINCOLN, Neb. (KLKN) – Saturday marked three years since Lincoln Police Investigator Mario Herrera was shot while serving a warrant. He died 12 days later. During those final days of his life, officials said Herrera received many blood transfusions, keeping him alive longer than anticipated. Now Lincoln Police and Lincoln Fire & Rescue are banding together for the 12 Days of Hope blood drive to honor his memory. SEE ALSO: ‘Justice’ for another victim: Felipe Vazquez takes plea deal in 2020 homicide Sgt. Chris Vollmer said these types of anniversaries often bring mixed emotions. “You have the positives of people coming together,” he said. “Symbolizing something good, uniting of the community. But you also have the memory of the incident itself, which can be hard. And people process that in different ways.” Officials with the Nebraska Community Blood Bank, which helped run the drive, said that for every one person who donates, up to three people can be helped. Lancaster County Sheriff’s Deputy Scott Gaston, who donated on Monday, said giving blood is always worthwhile. “Blood equals life,” he said. “And if we don’t donate and have a supply, then when we need it, it’s not going to be there. So, I would encourage everyone to find their own reason to donate blood.” Kari Lundeen, a spokeswoman for the blood bank, said it needs about a thousand donations a week to help everyone who needs it. She said the blood bank is hoping for at least 150 donations from the drive. SEE ALSO: Accomplice sentenced in slaying of Lincoln Police Investigator Mario Herrera “Nearly 99% of the blood that is collected by Nebraska Community Blood Bank stays right here in our state,” she said. “And there is no other way to get blood without volunteer blood donors. It can’t be manufactured; it’s not grown in a lab.” Lundeen said the Food and Drug Administration has changed its guidelines over the last few years, making more people eligible to donate. If you missed your chance to donate Monday, you can stop by a Nebraska Community Blood Bank location. The Lincoln Police Department will host another drive Sept. 7 at its headquarters at 9th and K streets. Tags: 12 days of hope, 12 Days of Hope Blood Drive, American Red Cross, Blood bank, Blood drive, blood transfusion, fallen hero, Investigator Mario Herrera, killed in the line of duty, Lincoln Fire & Rescue, Lincoln Fire and Rescue, Lincoln Police Department, Lincoln Police Investigator Mario Herrera, line of duty, LPD Mario Herrera, Nebraska Community Blood Bank, Pine Lake Road, Public Safety Center, Scott Gaston, Sgt. Chris Vollmer
UK ex-pats and Aussies who spent time in the UK have made more than 123,000 blood and plasma donations in the 12 months since the ‘mad cow’ ban was lifted, exceeding expectations. Australian Red Cross Lifeblood anticipated the rule change would lead to an additional 18,000 donors, but more than 34,000 new donors have rolled up their sleeves to give. Lifeblood Executive Director of Donor Experience Cath Stone said the organisation was thrilled with the uptake in donation. “These newly eligible donors are contributing nearly one in every 10 blood and plasma donations in Australia. However, the reality is that with demand at its highest in a decade, we still need more donors to boost supplies and there are still more than 800,000 people who may have become eligible because of this rule change. “Right now, in particular, we need more people with O positive and O negative to book a donation.” She said it was important to acknowledge the incredible effort of all those who had donated in the first 12 months and who were making a very real difference to patients in need every single day. “After not being able to donate in Australia for over 20 years, it’s heartening to see these donors making up for lost time to help people who rely on blood and plasma donations,” Cath said. “Incredibly, 95 dedicated donors have each given plasma, the powerful liquid part of blood, more than 20 times in the first year!” Kirby Institute researcher Dr Skye McGregor said the UK restriction was the biggest reason people were permanently deferred from donating blood, impacting 4.4 per cent of the population. “Australia’s first study into blood donation eligibility, conducted by the Kirby Institute and Lifeblood and published in Transfusion, shows around 10.5 million people are eligible to donate blood in Australia,” Dr McGregor said. “Currently just 14.2 per cent of the eligible population are donating blood, which means there’s a huge number of people who could be donating but aren’t. “The study also shows a high level of misperceptions around blood donation eligibility, including last year’s UK change, and we believe awareness may be the single biggest barrier to lifting donation rates.” Lifeblood regularly reviews eligibility rules to ensure as many people as possible can give blood and plasma, without compromising safety, most recently reducing the wait period for blood donations from four months to seven days for people with tattoos. Given rules do change, Cath said it’s likely many people simply don’t realise they are eligible to donate blood or plasma. “I urge the community not to rule themselves out. Spread the word and encourage friends, colleagues and loved ones to check their eligibility and donate now if they can. After all, 1 in 3 Australians will need blood or blood products in their lifetime, so we should all think about paying it forward!” To check your eligibility and book a donation, call 13 14 95, visit lifeblood.com.au or download the Donate Blood app. Background The human variant Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease (vCJD) or ‘mad cow’ ban impacted people who lived in England, Wales, Scotland, Northern Ireland, the Channel Islands, Isle of Man and the Falkland Islands for six months or more between 1980 and 1996. It was removed in July 2022 following an in-depth risk assessment, performed by Lifeblood and UNSW Sydney’s Kirby Institute. It found there would be no risk of acquiring human variant Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease (vCJD) from blood donations and that Australia’s blood supply would remain one of the safest in the world. Key statistics for UK donors in the first 12 months 34,389 donors have made 123,118 donations Contributed 8% of all blood and plasma donations 76% (or 26,200) returned for a second donation (the average new donor return rate is 60%) 95 people donated more than 20 times State/Territory Number of UK donors in past 12 months Number of blood and plasma collections New South Wales 9,285 30,390 Victoria 7,996 27,867 Queensland 6,842 23,832 Western Australia 6,027 23,712 South Australia 2,494 8,709 ACT 1,222 4,561 Tasmania 824 3,373 Northern Territory 204 674 National (some donors donated across states): 34,389 123,118