The Mayor's Cup - A New Kind of Competition

We've all heard of the Stanley Cup - America's Cup - or other sports related trophies - well, Virginia, we do have a Mayor's Cup!

To compete for the Mayor’s Cup, participating cities in the Hampton Roads area must host at least one blood drive in June. The city that has the largest percentage of participation at their blood drive will win the Mayor’s Cup.

So how can you help? Well, check out the next Mayor's Cup Event that I am attending on June 11 in Williamsburg at the community center. (Between 10am - 4pm)

Colonial Williamsburg has been working in conjunction with the American Red Cross to conduct blood drives for more than 25 years. The Foundation sponsors two blood drives annually and they are coordinated by Colonial Williamsburg’s Hospitality and Courtesy Committee.

Start! Walking Team: The Crown Chasers

It's Official! Team Crown Chasers is moving ahead for the American Heart Association ~ I am the captain of this team of women that will be walking on September 20 in order to raise funds and awareness for heart disease & strokes - the No. 1 & No. 3 killers of women.



Follow this link below (yes it's long!) and donate to the cause today and if you feel compelled, sign up to join our team - you don't have to have a crown to wear just a heart big enough to give! https://www.kintera.org/faf/donorReg/donorPledge.asp?ievent=293233&lis=1&kntae293233=BFDEE6CCC4A54459A4C170190D505104&supId=256548484

Remember a healthy heart will mean that you are a healthy blood donor - support the AHA today and help save a life - it could be yours!

Summer's Here! It's Time for Bloodstock '09

You've heard of Woodstock - now here comes Bloodstock '09!

Summer is a time for students to relax, have fun with friends and spend time with family. But, students can also use their free time to help out in their community. That’s why the American Red Cross is offering an opportunity for two scholarships this summer to students who participate in its Bloodstock program.

To qualify, students must plan and organize a blood drive between May 1 and August 31, 2009 that collects a minimum number of pints of blood. A $2,000 scholarship will be given away to a student whose drive collects at least 50 pints of blood, and to qualify for a $1,000 scholarship, at least 35 pints must be collected. Winners of the scholarships will be selected at random from qualifying students.

“Last summer, the Red Cross challenged students to help ensure a sufficient blood supply for sick and injured hospital patients,” said Delisa English American Red Cross South Carolina Blood Services Region CEO . “Dedicated students from throughout our community answered the challenge, and two of them were lucky enough to win some funds for college. This is a wonderful example of young people showing they care and making a real difference. We’re hoping to see even greater participation in Bloodstock 2009.”

Not only will Bloodstock give students a chance to earn a scholarship by coordinating successful blood drives this summer, it will also provide them with benefits such as networking opportunities, leadership development skills, and a chance to cultivate many other skills that will last a lifetime.

For more information or to complete an application for a Bloodstock 2009 scholarship, go to www.redcrossblood.org. Scholarship checks will be addressed to the college or university students are attending.

Bloodstock '09 is an effort supported by the Southeastern Region of the US Red Cross locations (FL, GA, VA, NC, SC, AL, TN, WV) check with your local chapter to see if they are enrolled in the program.

(Information is copied from the South Eastern Red Cross Chapter website)

Updates Galore

I think during the last three weeks, I have been in the doctor's office waiting room more than I have my entire life.

Constant monitoring of my blood counts and regular blood therapies are the norm these days. I have been heavily educating myself on ways to improve the counts through nutrition and activity, which of course is highly compounded by the fact that some days, I'd rather have no activity.

After a second opinion, it confirmed my hematologist's concern and suggestion for more instentive testing. This testing will take place later this month, and once conducted, could prove to be enlightening on further treatments and finally give a more concrete "name" the form of anemia that I am battling.

I will continue to advocate for blood donors, after all, my life is dependent upon those donations. I will continue to advocate for more legislation for lower age limits and less discrimination for donors.

More answers to come - each day comes with new information and renewed hope. I can only hope that the test later this month will say "you need no more transfusions" - This is what I pray.

Blood Transfusion Facts

A transfusion is a procedure by which a doctor or other medical professional replaces the blood lost by a patient with the blood of a generous donor like you! Here are the different amounts of blood that can be used in various procedures:

Organ Transplant
40 units of blood
30 units of platelets
25 units of fresh frozen plasma
20 bags of cyroprecipitate

Bone Marrow Transplant
20 units of blood
120 units of platelets

Heart Surgery
6 units of blood

Burn
20 units of platelets

Automobile Accident
50 units or more of blood


As you can see, there are many lifesaving operations made possible by blood donors. All of the above elements are received through your donation - it's fast, easy, and rewarding for you and the recipient.

Midas Sponsors Blood Donation Giveaway

Midas, partnering with the Virginia Blood Services, is giving away free oil changes!

By participating in the Virginia Blood Services/MIDAS of Richmond Giveaway, participants agree to accept and be bound by these rules and the decisions of MIDAS of Richmond and Virginia Blood Services as which are final in all matters relating to the Giveaway.

Participants are eligible to receive Giveaway awards by registering to donate blood at a VBS Mobile Blood Drive held at a designated MIDAS location during the MIDAS of Richmond, Inc. Donor Appreciation Giveaway 2009 eligibility period.

Participants must be over the age of 18 and eligible to donate blood or blood products and must register to donate at a VBS Mobile Blood Drive Unit at a designated MIDAS location during one or more of the Giveaway drive events.

Eligibility Period: January 17, 2009 to December 26, 2009

To Learn More About this Opportunity - Please Visit: http://www.vablood.org/events_p1.php

Donate Today!

Pregnant? Bank that Cord Blood!

Your baby's cord blood is a valuable source of non-controversial stem cells; the building blocks of our blood and immune systems. Cord blood stem cells, like bone marrow stem cells, are free of political and ethical debate. The value and benefits of stem cells found in umbilical cord blood are clear; cord blood collection saves lives today and medical researchers are exploring new uses for umbilical cord blood stem cells for tomorrow, including diabetes, heart disease, and stroke.

Storing your newborn's cord blood means that should there be a need, your baby will have a source of stem cells that is an exact match, with no risk of rejection. There is also a strong possibility that his/her siblings will be a match as well. This is important because clinical studies demonstrate that stem cell transplants are twice as successful when the stem cells come from a family member rather than from a non-relative (e.g., a public bank).


Cord blood preservation is a simple, painless procedure that can take place after a vaginal or cesarean birth. You will receive a kit (From the Hospital or a Banking Organization you choose) with everything you and your doctors need for a successful cord blood collection.

After your baby is born, your obstetrician or midwife will clamp or cut the cord and then collect the cord blood. The blood will flow into the bag by gravity until it stops. The actual collection typically takes three to five minutes.

After the cord blood has been collected, the blood bag is then clamped, sealed, and clearly labeled for easy identification. Your baby’s cord blood will then be transferred to a processing facility by private medical courier for processing and storage. Collection, processing, and preservation methods vary depending on which cord blood company your family chooses.

Families who bank enjoy the peace of mind of knowing that their baby’s cord blood is available should the need for a medical transplant ever arise.

Cord blood is pure and unique blood - take this opportunity to donate a precious gift.

Puppy Love Blood Drive

http://www.dogchannel.com/dog-news/2009/05/02/pennsylvania-hosts-joint-human-animal-blood-drive.aspx

Pennsylvania Hosts Joint Human-Animal Blood Drive
Focus of the event is to educate on the importance of donating blood for people and pets.
Posted: May 2, 2009, 5 a.m. EDT

The fourth annual “Heroes Helping Heroes” pet fair will be May 3 from noon to 5 p.m. at Cloud Nine Pet Services at Kimberly Memorial Park in Breinigsville, Penn.

The joint human and animal blood drive is sponsored by Valley Central Emergency Veterinary Hospital Animal Blood Bank and Cloud Nine Pet Services, in conjunction with Miller-Keystone Blood Center.

“The goal [of the event] is to make people aware of the importance of donating blood,” said Kimberly Rohrbach, CVT, supervisor of the animal blood bank. “The demand for animal blood products has grown as owners have become more knowledgeable and pet care technology has become more sophisticated.”

Recruitment of potential donors is essential to keep up with the demand for blood supplies, Rohrbach added.

Dog and cat owners interested in having their pets become donors can register for the blood donation program at the fair. Blood donations from dogs and cats will not be taken that day, but instead at a later date after pets have been tested and owners have gone through an orientation.

Individuals wishing to donate their own blood can do so that day, provided they are at least 17 years of age and have a present photo ID, among other requirements.

The pet fair will also include pet portraits by Pooch Smooch Photography, agility and fly ball demonstrations, a pet fashion show, shopping opportunities, giveaways and booths for multiple animal rescue groups, shelters and vendors.

Scheduled vendors include Camp Bow Wow, Pet Butler, Bark Busters, Spotted Dog Barkery, Annamaet Pet Foods and Tall Tails Training & Boarding, among others.

For details, call Rohrbach at 610-435-5588 ext. 110.

Sweet Sixteen - How Sweet It Really Is!!

How completely cool and selfless is this for a birthday party? Amazing what some 16 year-olds do for their birthday.....they give the rest of us our birthdays.

Albert Lea teen turns 16, plans birthday party blood drive at Northbridge Mall

http://www.albertleatribune.com/news/2009/may/02/albert-lea-teen-turns-16-plans-birthday-party-bloo/

At 14 years old, Maddi Dickey, a freshman at Albert Lea High School, coordinated her first American Red Cross blood drive as one of the organization’s youngest coordinators. Today, Dickey turns 16. Three days later she’ll host her second Red Cross drive. Only this time it’s a birthday party blood drive and she will be old enough to donate for the first time.

“I’m excited!” Dickey said, adding she’d be eating steak and other iron-rich foods to boost her hemoglobin levels before the drive.

“Celebrating my birthday and making my first blood donation on Wednesday along with friends and anyone else who is eligible to donate blood is something I really look forward to.”

Minnesota 16-year-olds can donate blood with a signed Red Cross parental/guardian consent form available in the donor information section on the Red Cross Web site at givebloodgivelife.org. Dickey hopes other first-time donors will join her and donate blood. Cake and beverages will be served. “Donors of all ages are invited to give blood and celebrate!” she said.

You can join Dickey’s 16-year-old birthday party and give blood to help patients in need on Wednesday from 1 to 7 p.m. at Northbridge Mall.

Donors can take a few simple steps to prepare and to help ensure a good donation experience: Get a good night’s sleep, eat a good breakfast or lunch, drink extra water and fluids to help replace the volume you will donate, avoid caffeinated beverages and eat iron-rich foods to boost your iron level.

Simply call 1-800-GIVE-LIFE (1-800-448-3543) or visit givebloodgivelife.org to make an appointment or for more information. Enter sponsor code 6156. People can also call Dickey at (507) 390-7077. 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. Eligible donors must be at least 17 years old, or 16 years old with a signed Red Cross parental/guardian consent form where state permits, must weigh at least 110 pounds and be in general good health.

Governed by volunteers and supported by giving individuals and communities, the American Red Cross is the single largest supplier of blood products to hospitals throughout the United States.

While local hospital needs are always met first, the Red Cross also helps ensure no patient goes without blood no matter where or when they need it. In addition to providing nearly half of the nation’s blood supply, the Red Cross provides relief to victims of disaster, trains millions in lifesaving skills, serves as a communication link between U.S. military members and their families, and assists victims of international disasters or conflicts