Blood drive, Atlanta program changes, first 2014 baby at ALMH

[January 13, 2014]  Red Cross calls for blood donors after severe weather

Urgent need for platelet donors, blood donors with types O, A-negative and B-negative

PEORIA — As severe winter weather begins to subside, the American Red Cross is asking all eligible blood and platelet donors to help offset a weather-related shortfall in donations.

Approximately 280 blood drives across 25 states were canceled across the U.S. due to snow and extreme cold. The blood drive cancellations resulted in a shortfall of nearly 8,400 blood and platelet donations since Jan. 2.

"It's the blood products already on the shelves that help save lives when severe weather hits," said Shelly Heiden, community CEO of the Red Cross Heart of America Blood Services Region. "Thanks to generous Red Cross blood and platelet donors, blood products were available for patients who still needed transfusions despite the weather. Now we invite those previously 'frozen out' from giving blood or platelets to come in soon."

Platelet donors, as well as blood donors with the most in-demand blood types — O-positive and negative, A-negative, and B-negative — are urgently needed to give blood in the days and weeks ahead to offset the shortfall.

Platelets, a key clotting component of blood often needed by cancer patients, must be transfused within five days of donation, so donations are constantly needed. Red blood cells, the oxygen-carrying component of blood, are the most widely transfused blood product and must be transfused within 42 days.

Upcoming blood donation opportunity in Logan County:

• Wednesday, Jan. 15, from noon to 5 p.m. at Lincoln Park District sports complex, 1400 Primm Road

How to donate blood

Simply call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) or visit www.redcrossblood.org to make an appointment or for more information. 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 consent 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.

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Atlanta Library announces changes to January schedule

ATLANTA — The Behind the Scenes program with Bob Lupone, scheduled for Friday, Jan. 10, in Atlanta will be postponed. Watch for further updates.

This Golden Age scheduled for Tuesday, Jan. 14, at the Atlanta Public Library has been canceled.

Children's Reading and Art Night, scheduled for Thursday, Jan. 16, has been canceled.

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ALMH welcomes first baby of 2014

Abraham Lincoln Memorial Hospital welcomed its first baby of 2014 on Friday, Jan. 3, at 12:42 p.m. Aeris Mae Ginger is the daughter of Shana and David Ginger of Lincoln. Aeries weighed 7 pounds, 13 ounces and was 18½ inches long at birth.

Shana's physician is Kristen Green, M.D., a specialist in obstetrics and gynecology with Springfield Clinic in Lincoln. Aeris is being welcomed home by three sisters and one brother. The family lives in Lincoln.

Aeris was the recipient of several gifts as the first baby of the new year. The ALMH Auxiliary presented Aeris and her family with a basket of baby care items. She received a quilt made by Friendship Manor residents and a crocheted hat from ALMH volunteer Ruby Glickerman. ALMH also presented Aeris and her family with diapers and a gift card for baby necessities.

In 2013, there were 209 babies born at ALMH, 105 males and 104 females.

ALMH's Family Maternity Suites is a state-of-the-art obstetrical center that features spacious private labor-delivery-recovery-postpartum rooms with private restrooms and showers. Each mom and baby receives individualized care. To learn more about the Family Maternity Suites or the other health care services offered at ALMH, visit www.almh.org.

ALMH, at 200 Stahlhut Drive in Lincoln, is a 25-bed critical access hospital affiliated with Memorial Health System.

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