Due to a blood shortage nationwide, the American Red Cross is asking for immediate blood donations to boost critically low supplies. Virtually all of the Red Cross’s 36 Blood Services regions have been appealing for donations in local communities in recent weeks. However, despite these efforts, a critical need for all blood types remains. All eligible donors are encouraged to call 1-800-GIVE-LIFE to schedule a blood donation appointment.

"Patients who need blood in emergency situations absolutely depend on a readily available supply," said Dr. Bernadine Healy, Red Cross president and CEO. "No patient should ever be left to wonder if the lifesaving blood they need will be available to them. Cancer treatments, organ transplants and evolving medical procedures would not be possible without a safe and available blood supply. We urge all eligible blood donors to help us during the critical shortage by scheduling an appointment to donate blood — the gift of life."

Some of the hardest hit areas include major metropolitan cities such as Los Angeles, Detroit, Baltimore, Washington, D.C. and Philadelphia. With supply levels down nationwide, it has been difficult for regions that consistently have robust inventories throughout the year to help support these metropolitan areas. Last summer, local efforts were able to sustain the Red Cross’ national blood supply and a nationwide appeal for blood was not needed.

Despite an overall increase in collections this year, higher demand contributed to the blood shortage this summer — an already challenging time for collections. Red Cross systemwide collections are more that 145,000 units ahead of last year at this time. Compared to 1999, hospital distribution this year of Red Cross blood was up 5.8 percent in April and 6.1 percent in May.

"Whenever a natural disaster strikes, the overwhelming response the Red Cross receives from the public is what helps victims of that disaster carry on," Healy said. "A blood shortage is a disaster, and we need the same level of public support for this disaster as we do for a hurricane, tornado, flood or fire."

Volunteer blood donations help patients being treated for accidents, routine surgeries, and serious diseases such as cancer, heart disease and hemophilia. Despite the fact that giving blood is easy, safe and takes less that one hour, only 5 percent of eligible Americans donate blood. To donate blood, individuals must be healthy, at least 17 years old and weigh 110 pounds or more.

For more that 50 years, the American Red Cross has been the primary supplier of lifesaving blood and blood products in the United States. The Red Cross collects blood voluntarily donated by approximately 4.5 million donors, annually providing more than 6 million units of blood for patients nationwide.

[American Red Cross news release]

Shriners hospitals are dedicated to providing treatment for needy children. The Shriners are hosting a local pre-qualifying clinic from 9 a.m. to noon on Saturday, Dec. 16, for children newborn to 18 years of age. Children can be brought to the off-premises clinic at the Masonic Lodge, 2022 N. Kickapoo St., for evaluation. 

In an effort to help the public to be aware of cases treated at Shriners Hospitals, the group has prepared the following list of conditions that may be acceptable and non-acceptable. Of course, the ultimate decision is determined by the chief surgeon.

Those severely affected or in a near-vegetable state are not accepted. Likewise, those with a severed spine are usually not accepted, as Shriners hospitals can accept only those cases which "present reasonable hope of material improvement. Certain spastic cases which cannot be materially helped and emergency care arising from acute bums SHOULD NOT BE ACCEPTED."

This is a free service. There are no costs to the family. This service is available to any child, regardless of race, creed, or national origin.

Call (217) 947-2935 for further information.

[News release from Shriners Hospital for Children]

Logan County Shriners are having an opportunity drawing. You can get tickets for the Dec. 13 cash prize drawing from any Shriner.

The Lincoln Optimist Club is sponsoring its fourth annual essay contest. This year’s contest is entitled "Are We Losing Our Freedom?" All high school students under 19 years of age as of Dec. 31, 2000, in grades 10, 11 and 12 are eligible to participate, according to Bob Wood, club contest chairman.

The Lincoln club will select a first, second and third-place winner in its contest, and the first-place entry will automatically be forwarded to the district contest, where it will be judged against the winning entries from clubs in the Springfield area district.

The first, second and third-place winners will receive scholarships in the amounts of $5,000, $3,000 and $2,000 respectively. In addition to the scholarship, the first-place winner receives an expense-paid four-day trip with his or her parents to the Freedoms Foundation in Valley Forge, Penn., in July for the Freedom and Leadership Conference.

All essays must be original and must be submitted by Dec. 31 to the Lincoln Optimist Club. For information, please contact Bob Wood, Contest Chairman, 166 Ninth St., Lincoln, IL 62656; phone (217) 735-4232.

Christina Dye of Lincoln was the 1999-2000 scholarship winner for the Lincoln Optimist Club and was also the second place winner for the Illinois District. Milton Wiggers, past governor of the Illinois District, presented Miss Dye with the Illinois District plaque.

Optimist International is one of the largest and most active service organizations, with over 150,000 members in 4200 Optimist clubs in the United States, Canada and other nations. Promoting "Friend of Youth," Optimist clubs conduct service projects which reach six million young people each year.

[Lincoln Optimist Club news release]