Blood Donors are needed NOW!

The American Red Cross has an emergency need for blood and platelet donors of all blood types. Every two seconds, a patient in the United States needs a blood transfusion. All eligible blood donors are asked to give blood now! Upcoming blood drives include TODAY at Olean General Hospital 10a-4p, June 29 Eastside YMCA- Jamestown 10a-4p, June 30 Olean Center Mall 10a-3p, Harley Davidson of Jamestown 10a-3p, July 2 at Catt. Co Little Valley 1-4p, July 3 Olean Center Mall 10a-4p, July 5 Jamestown Red Cross 12:30p-5:30p, July 8 Conewango Fire Hall 3p-9p, July 9 Eason Hall-Westfield 11:30a-4:30p. To donate call 1800-REDCROSS. Thank you!

Red Cross Blood Supply Drops to Emergency Levels

Red Cross Blood Supply Drops to Emergency Levels

Blood and platelet donors of all types needed

WASHINGTON, Monday, June 25, 2012 — The American Red Cross is calling on all eligible donors to step up, roll up a sleeve and give blood or platelets as soon as possible.

The Red Cross says its blood supply has reached emergency levels, with 50,000 fewer donations than expected in June. This shortfall leaves about half the readily available blood products on hand today than at this time last year.

“There is always the chance that a physician could postpone an elective surgery if the needed blood products aren’t readily available,” said Dr. Richard Benjamin, chief medical officer for the American Red Cross. “In a worst case scenario, a physician may have to forego performing a more serious procedure for a patient because of a shortage of blood. We need to do everything we can to make sure it doesn’t get to that point.”

Every two seconds, someone in the United States needs a blood transfusion. All blood types are currently needed -- especially O positive, O negative, B negative and A negative in order to meet patient demand this summer. Type O negative is the universal blood type and can be transfused to anyone who needs blood. It’s the blood type doctors turn to first in an emergency situation when there is no time to match a patient’s blood type.

An unseasonably early start to summer weather may be a contributing factor to this year’s decrease in donations. Many regular donors got an early start on summer activities and aren’t taking time to give blood or platelets. In addition, this year’s mid-week Independence Day holiday has reduced the number of scheduled Red Cross blood drives. Many sponsors, especially businesses, are unable to host drives because employees are taking extended vacations.

Every day, the Red Cross must collect more than 17,000 pints of blood for patients at more than 3,000 hospitals and transfusion centers across the country. Donors are encouraged to make appointments in the coming days and weeks to help ensure that all patient blood needs can be met. Each pint of whole blood can help save more than one life.

How to Donate Blood

Simply call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) or visit redcrossblood.org to make an appointment or for more information. All blood types are needed to ensure a reliable supply for patients. 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 (16 with parental permission in some states), 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.

Ride for the Red

The Southwestern NY Chapter of the American Red Cross held the annual Ride for the Red bike tour on Saturday, June 16^th.  The ride featured 10, 25 and 50 miles routes along picturesque routes 5 and 20.  There were 43 participants in this year’s tour.

“We couldn’t have asked for better weather this year,” stated Chapter Executive Bill Tucker.  “Everyone had a great time helping the Red Cross, and the proceeds allow us to continue to provide programs and services here in Chautauqua County.”  Judy Langworthy, board member for the local chapter stated, “We want to thank all the participants, and especially the volunteers who helped out at registration, at the rest areas, and those who drove chase vehicles.” 

The Chapter would also like to thank the sponsors of the event:  Wegmans, Blackstone Business Enterprises, Shults Auto Group, Southern Chautauqua Federal Credit Union and Gary’s Carstar. Several local businesses donated items to the event.  Cookies were provided by Petri Baking Products in Silver Creek, bananas by Tops Dunkirk and water was provided by Tops on Washington St. in Jamestown.

“The mission of the American Red Cross is to prevent and alleviate human suffering in the face of emergencies, and thanks to the generosity of the participants today, we will be able to continue to provide disaster assistance to families, emergency communications to our military members, and continue to support the blood and health and safety programs in our county,” stated Mr. Tucker.

Swim a Lap Day- Be Careful!

According to some, June 24^th is Swim-a-Lap Day. A Made-up holiday? Perhaps. But it’s a good excuse to enjoy the water—as long as you do it safely.

Learning to swim is one of the best steps you can take to be safe around water. Almost two million people of all ages learn to swim each year through Red Cross programs. You can contact your local aquatic facility to find out when Red Cross Water Safety programs are offered.

Here are some steps you should follow to stay safe around the water:

·        ~~ Swim only in designated areas supervised by lifeguards. Always swim with a buddy; do not allow anyone to swim alone.

·        ~~ Prevent unsupervised access to the water. Install and use barriers around your home pool or hot tub.

·        ~~ Maintain constant supervision. Always stay within arm’s reach of young children even when lifeguards are present.

·         ~~Know what to do in an emergency. If a child is missing, check the water first. Know how and when to call 9-1-1 or the local emergency number.

·      ~~  Have the appropriate rescue equipment, a phone, life jackets and a first aid kit near the pool.

It is important to constantly supervise children when they are near water. Many children who drown in home pools were out of sight for less than five minutes and in the care of one or both parents at the time.

·        ~~~ Never leave a young child unattended near water, and do not trust a child’s life to another child; teach children to always ask permission to go near water.

·         ~~~Avoid distractions when supervising children around water.

·         ~~If a child is missing, check the water first. Seconds count in preventing death or disability.

The Red Cross and the National Swimming Pool Foundation have developed an online safety course for pool and hot tub owners. Home Pool Essentials help people understand the risks of pool ownership, how to maintain a safer and cleaner pool, what safety equipment is appropriate, how to prevent pool and hot tub entrapment hazards, and how to respond to an emergency.

Read more on swimming and water safety and learn where you can take a course on www.redcross.org or call 1-800-REDCROSS. The American Red Cross of Southwestern New York is a United Way Agency.  

Disaster Can Strike Anytime- Anywhere

It is 1:00am and the phone beside her bed rings. Janice may be deep in sleep by that time, but once she hears that tone she knows what is going on. There is a family in Allegany County who just lost their home to a fire or other disaster.

This time for Janice it was too close to home-literally. Just a few houses down the road she could see exactly what the dispatcher was talking about to her just moments before. As she pulled on her boots and slung on the American Red Cross vest she could see from her living room window the smoke in the dark, clear sky and the reds and white lights that was still flashing as the last bit of fire was coming under their control.

As she walked down the street to meet her neighbors, she thought she would never have to actually help someone that she knows. But that’s the thing with house fires- then can happen to anyone at any time.

She handed the families of the apartment building a Red Cross blanket-they were only in their night clothes- and talked with them to see what happened. She just shook her head when she heard it had to do with the electrical system in the building. As her neighbors talked, words like ‘destroyed,’ ‘lost everything,’ and ‘gone memories’ hung in the air like the stale smoke.

After a little while of just talking, Janice opened up her bag and talked with the families individually. She was able to provide them with the basics- food, clothing, and shelter for three days. She also gave them the basics in a comfort kit filled with a toothbrush, soap, washcloth, and other personal needs. She even had a stuffed animal if any of the children just needed a little friend. Janice was there giving them hope.

The next day, Janice met with the families again to go over a plan of what to do next. During the shock of the night, they were not thinking about what is going to happen next, just what is happening right now. Janice provided the family with a list of resources of where to look for a new home, how to contact insurance companies, how to recreate important documents like a birth certificate, and other information to get their life back to normal as it could.

Janice is a volunteer that takes time out of her day to help those in need at their most vulnerable time. The American Red Cross provides everything else to the families who are affected by a house fire or any disaster in Allegany County.

Each disaster averages $1000.00 per family to provide them with food, clothing, and shelter for three days. All of the services provided by the American Red Cross is an outright gift. This is made possible by the generous people in Allegany who give to the Allegany County United Way and the American Red Cross. Through donations and grants made possible by the Allegany County United Way we can provide assistance to the smallest family of one or two people, to the largest of eight or ten people without any trouble.

People like Janice go through several classes and spend countless hours in training to provide assistance to families when they need the Red Cross. Whether it is because of a house fire to a large blizzard that has Interstate 86 shut down forcing a shelter to be opened, Red Cross volunteers can and will be able to handle anything that Mother Nature throws at them.

The Red Cross is grateful for all of the respect that the community gives to them; from the local fire departments, to the hotels and motels willing to work with the Red Cross and of course the community members willing to support the Red Cross.  

Extremely High Temperatures Expected

            

The National Weather Service is predicting temperatures way above normal this week across much of the country. High humidity paired with high temperatures makes extreme temperatures dangerous.

            The extreme temperatures can feel like walking into a wall of heat when venturing outside. The American Red Cross encourages people to take steps to safely endure the soaring temps. People should prepare now for the impending heat.

            Follow these steps to stay safe during the heat:

• Never leave children or pets alone in enclosed vehicles.
• Eat small meals and eat more often.
• Avoid extreme temperature change.
• Wear loose-fitting, light weight, light colored clothing.
• Slow down, stay indoors and avoid strenuous exercise during the hottest part of the day.
• Use a buddy system when working in excessive heat.
• Take frequent breaks if working outdoors.
• Check on family, friends and neighbors who do not have air conditioning, who spends much of their time alone or who are more likely to be affected by the heat.
• Check on animals frequently to ensure that they are not suffering from the heat. Ensure they have water and a shady place to rest.

Excessive heat can lead to sunburns, heat cramps, heat exhaustion and heat stroke. To help avoid problems, stay hydrated by drinking plenty of fluids and limit drinks with caffeine of alcohol.

If someone is experiencing heat cramps in the legs or abdomen, get them to a cooler place, have them rest, lightly stretch the affected muscle, and replenish their fluids with a half a glass (about 4 ounces) of cool water every 15 minutes.

When you notice a person exhibiting signs of heat exhaustion (cool moist, pale, or flushed skin, heavy sweating, headache, nausea, dizziness, weakness exhaustion), move them to a cooler place, remove or loosen tight clothing and spray the person with water or apply cool, wet cloths or towels to the skin. Fan the person. If they are conscious, give small amounts of cool water to drink. Make sure the person drinks slowly. Watch for changes in condition. If the person refuses water, vomits or begins to lose consciousness, call 9-1-1.

            Heat stroke is life-threatening. Signs include hot, red skin which may be dry or moist; changes in consciousness; vomiting; and high body temperature. Call 9-1-1 or the local emergency number immediately if someone shows signs of a heat stroke. Move the person to a cooler place. Quickly cool the person’s body by immersing them up to their neck in cold water if possibly. Otherwise, douse or spray the person with cold water, or cover the person with cold, wet towels or bags of ice.

For more information on what to do during a heat wave, you can visit www.redcross.org. The American Red Cross of Southwestern New York is a United Way Agency.

Today is World Blood Donor Day

In 2012 alone, nearly 6 million people across American may require a blood transfusion. With no substitute for human blood, those in need rely on the kindness of donors. Through their generous actions, these blood donors prove how one person can make a difference in the lives of many, as one blood donation can help save more than one life.

To raise awareness about this critical issue, the American Red Cross Blood Services is partnering with Nexcare TM Bandages on the Give campaign. This nationwide initiative thanks blood donors and encourages other to give. The campaign kicks off June 14^th –World Blood Donor Day, and runs through the end of the month at Red Cross blood drives and donor centers across the county.

New for 2012, Nexcare Brand will be giving away limited edition bandages inspired by iconic trends from decades past, adorned with the word “give” to demonstrate that “Giving Blood is Timeless.” This collection features six eye-catching designs ranging from retro polka dots and tie-dye to grunge plaid and is a nostalgic nod to the time-honored tradition of giving back by donating blood.

To pledge your support for blood donation, request free Nexcare give bandages and enter for a chance to win a trip for two to New York City visit www.nexcaregive.com or text “give” to 34426. Standard data rates may apply.

The Red Cross must collect 20,000 units of blood each weekday and another 12000 each weekend in order to help save lives of patients, so please give today!