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Local News

Red Cross Desperate for Blood Donations

The American Red Cross is sounding the alarm regarding a nationwide blood shortage. They are reporting the worst blood shortage in over a decade.

According to the Red Cross, the shortage is at the point where doctors have to decide who gets transfusions and who has to wait.

There are several reasons for the shortage. High school and college blood drives have been suspended due to the pandemic, eliminating a significant source of donors.

Blood drives have been canceled all over due to illness, weather, and staffing shortages. Fluctuating levels of both COVID-19 infections and seasonal flu have had an impact on blood drives as well.

The Red Cross provides 40% of the nation’s blood supply and has had to limit distribution to hospitals due to low supply. There has been a less than a one-day supply of critical blood types in recent weeks.

Type O positive and negative are the most needed blood types. Platelets are also needed, mostly for cancer patients. With a short five-day shelf life, platelets are in short supply as well.

https://www.redcrossblood.org/give.html/drive-results?zipSponsor=48060

https://www.redcrossblood.org/

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

Cancellations for Friday, February 25, 2022

St. Clair County

 

  • Port Huron Area Schools
  • East Shore Leadership Academy
  • Community Mental Health
  • Blue Water Choices LifeSkills Centers
  • Landmark Academy
  • LifeSkills Bright Futures and Opportunities
Report your cancellations to Martha at martha@wgrt.com

 

 

Blue Water Hospice Invites Medical Providers, General Public to Hospice Education Event

Hospice has proven to be an invaluable service for families caring for loved ones who are nearing the end of their lives. A hospice education event is being offered to both medical providers and the general public on March 23rd at 5:30 p.m. at the Blue Water Convention Center.

The hospice education event is sponsored by the Visiting Nurse Association and Blue Water Hospice and features Medical Director Dr. Doru Bali and Associate Medical Director Dr. Candace Kimpson.

Hospice empowers patients and their families to take control of their end-of-life journey. The panel discussion will explain how hospice is managed and remind the community that agreeing to hospice is more about quality of life than “giving up”. Hospice care includes pain management and comfort measures.

The discussion will explore the collaboration between patients, physicians, and the hospice team.

Attending the event costs $35 which includes dinner. Reservations are required. More information can be found at the link below.

www.vnabwh.org/events

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

EGLE to Fund Clean Engines for Great Lakes Shipping

Great Lakes shipping could become cleaner with $9 million available to replace or repower engines on freight switchers, ferry boats, and tug boats, as well as shore-side powering for vessels.

The Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy is starting the process of funding grants to pay for the switchover to zero-emission technology. The grants will range from $100,000 to $5 million and will fund between 25% and 70% of each project.

The grants are funded with the money that Michigan received in the Volkswagen settlement. EGLE’s Fuel Transformation Program has the goal of reducing emissions and increasing the use of zero-emission and alternative fuel engines.

Elizabeth Browne, director of the Materials Management Division at EGLE said, “This is a great opportunity to reduce emissions from rail and marine sources to help improve air quality in neighboring communities and protect the environment. While cars get the most attention, other transportation sectors are also integral to Michigan’s transition to zero-emission or cleaner fuels as called out in the draft MI Healthy Climate Plan.”

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

Take Care of Your Heart! February is Heart Health Awareness Month

It’s Heart Health Awareness Month. Heart disease is the number one cause of death for women in the United States and in Michigan.

Prevention is the best treatment for heart disease and being aware of the risk factors, as well as signs of a problem, are the purpose of the awareness campaign.

Dr. Natasha Bagdasarian, Michigan Department of Health and Human Services chief medical executive, said, “It’s important for women and Michiganders to know their risk factors for heart disease. Being aware of risk factors and also giving people tools they need to lead a healthier lifestyle will improve quality of life.”

The keys to heart health are basic healthy living: not smoking and avoiding exposure to secondhand smoke, engaging in regular physical activity, eating healthy, managing blood pressure, blood sugar and cholesterol, and achieving and maintaining a healthy weight.

Heart disease mortality rates have risen over the past few years, with minorities having the largest increase. Women are disproportionately impacted by heart disease.

Visit the links below for more heart health awareness resources.

WISEWOMAN program

Michigan Million Hearts® Network. Million Hearts® 2022

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

SC4 Symphonic and Jazz Band Presents “Beginnings” Feb. 26th

The St. Clair County Community College Symphonic and Jazz Band is back in business after a two-year hiatus. The “Beginnings” concert will be held on Saturday, February 26th at 7:00 p.m. in the SC4 Fine Arts Theatre.

Conductor Erick J. Senkmajer said he has enjoyed working with community members again and that “it is fun to see musicians ranging in age from high school through retirement age enjoying their time together, once again breathing life into these dots on a page.”

In getting the band back together after the extended break, Senkmajer said, “We all missed making music together. Because it has been two years, it was hard to say who would be back, what our instrumentation would be like, and how much “dust” there would be in our instruments.”

The concert is a welcome sign that things are slowly getting back to normal for both musicians and patrons of the arts. The program is described as “light and fast” and a lovely way to welcome audience members back, along with the musicians.

Tickets are $10 and can be purchased at the door or online.

https://sc4.edu/event/sc4-symphonic-band-concert/

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland