Urgent need for blood donors with types O, A negative and B negative
The American Red Cross needs blood donors to help restock the blood supply this February. Severe winter weather throughout January across much of the country forced the cancellation of about 770 Red Cross blood drives, resulting in more than 25,000 uncollected blood and platelet donations.“Blood products were distributed to hospitals as quickly as the
donations came in,” said Julia Wulf, chief executive officer of the Red Cross Blood Services Region. “The extraordinary number of cancellations in January was the equivalent of the Red Cross having to shut down its national operations for more than an entire day.”
On average, the Red Cross must collect about 15,000 units of blood every day for patients at approximately 2,700 hospitals and transfusion centers across the country. With additional winter weather already forecast for parts of the country in the next week or two, all
blood types are currently needed to ensure a sufficient blood supply
is available for patients.
There is an urgent need for blood types O positive, O negative, A
negative and B negative. Eligible donors with these blood types are
strongly encouraged to make an appointment to give in the coming days.
While weather in this area did not cause problems for blood drives,
the Red Cross hopes local blood donors will continue to support
patients in need.
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. 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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RTC seeks students to participate in Earth Day 2014 Art ContestThe Regional Transportation Commission of Southern Nevada (RTC) is inviting Clark County students to celebrate Earth Day by taking part in the RTC 2014 Earth Day Art Contest.
Students in sixth through 12th grade are invited to participate in the contest that will promote the RTC’s sustainable initiative “quicker, cleaner, greener” with images of transit, bicycling, walking, and carpooling.
The top two winners will have their artwork featured on an RTC transit vehicle for up to a year. The Regional Transportation Commission will be responsible for judging the artwork.
Participants should abide by the following guidelines:
–Artwork should have a message related to Earth Day and sustainable
transportation
–Candidates must be sixth through 12th-graders and residents of Clark County
–Artwork must be in a horizontal format on 11-by-17-inch paper
–Artwork must be colorful. No black and white; no photography; no glitter
–Markers, colored pencils and paint are acceptable media
–Artwork must be original in concept and not violate U.S. copyright law
Entry forms must be securely affixed to the back of the artwork and
submitted to the RTC before 5 p.m. Monday, March 10. Submissions
should be delivered to the RTC, Attention: Aileen Pastor, 600 S. Grand
Central Parkway, Suite 350, Las Vegas, Nev., 89106. Artwork may be
rolled up but cannot be folded.
For further information, contact Aileen Pastor, RTC Marketing and
Communications Coordinator at 676-1735 or at pastora@rtcsnv.com.
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Kohl’s Department Stores to honor more than 2,300 youth with nearly
$400,000 in scholarships and prizes
The Kohl’s Department Stores Kohl’s Cares Scholarship Program will
award nearly $400,000 in scholarships and prizes this year to more
than 2,300 young volunteers who have made a positive impact in their
communities. Nominations for kids ages six to 18 will be accepted
January 31 – March 14 at kohlskids.com. Kohl’s is encouraging parents,
teachers, neighbors and friends to nominate outstanding youth, in
celebration of their time, energy and passion to helping others.
Two nominees from each of the more than 1,100 Kohl’s stores nationwide
will win a $50 Kohl’s gift card, and nearly 200 will win regional
scholarships worth $1,000 toward higher education. Ten national
winners will be awarded a total of $10,000 in scholarships for higher
education, and Kohl’s will donate $1,000 to a nonprofit organization
on each national winner’s behalf.
Since the Kohl’s Cares Scholarship Program began in 2001, Kohl’s has
recognized more than 19,500 kids with more than $3.9 million in
scholarships and prizes. For more information or a list of past Kohl’s
Cares Scholarship Program winners, visit kohlskids.com.
Kohl’s Cares, the philanthropic platform of Kohl’s Department Stores,
is committed to giving back to the communities it serves by supporting
kids’ health and education nationwide, women’s health and the fight
against breast cancer, and environmental initiatives. Since 2000,
Kohl’s has raised more than $231 million for kids health and education
initiatives through the Kohl’s Cares cause merchandise program,
recognized more than 19,500 outstanding kids through the Kohl’s Cares
Scholarship Program and donated more than 2.2 million hours of
volunteer time through the Associates in Action volunteer program.
For more information on Kohl’s Cares, visitwww.Kohls.com/Cares.
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11th Annual Walk with the Heart of a Child returns to Fashion ShowMall on Febuary 22
The 11th Annual Walk with the Heart of a Child presented by Paragon is
set for Saturday, Feb. 22 at Fashion Show Mall and supports
Nevada-based Children’s Heart Foundation (CHF). The walk begins at 8
a.m., with registration at 7 a.m.
Walk with the Heart of a Child is a high-energy celebration including
a 3k walk, entertainment, raffle and the ever popular Kids Zone.
During this event, teams gather at the Fashion Show Mall to walk in
celebration and remembrance of children with heart conditions and to
unite the community through awareness. More than 1,400 locals support
the walk each year to help generate funds that allow CHF to continue
to carry out its programs, including Camp Mend-a-Heart, Smart Heart
Scholarships, Family Outreach, research and more.
“Coming together as a community and supporting Children’s Heart
Foundation allows us to improve our heart families’ lives and walk
with them through their journey,” said Heart Mom Lyn Acebo,. “Gather
your family and friends and logon to www.chfn.org to sign up as a team
for the walk and make a difference in the life of a heart child.”
On-line registration is available now at www.chfn.org. Fees are $25
for adults, $15 for virtual walkers, active-duty military, students
and seniors. Donate $50 for a new VIP package including a CHF bag,
water bottle, t-shirt, walk medal and raffle tickets. Community
members and businesses interested in supporting CHF may phone (702)
967-3522 for sponsorship and team registration information.
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Twenty-two volunteers took oath at Family Court to help kids
Twenty-two Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) volunteers were
sworn in at a ceremony at the Eighth Judicial District Family Court on
Monday, Feb. 10 at noon, at Family Court, Courtroom 9, 601 N. Pecos
Road. The trained volunteers bring the total number of CASA volunteers
in the community up to 368. Many more volunteers are needed to
advocate for the nearly 3,500 children receiving services under
supervision of Family Court. Last year, 980 children had a CASA
volunteer to help them navigate through the system, and deal with the
challenges with school and home life.
The CASA volunteers took their oath on Monday to provide foster
children with a voice in court and received their cases right away so
they could get right to work advocating for the children. The CASA
volunteers of the month were also recognized during the ceremony. They
shared their inspirational experiences.
“The goal is to get a CASA volunteer for every child in foster care.
Right now, only one-third of the children are represented. I know as a
community we can do better,” said Family Court Judge Frank Sullivan,
who oversees the program. “CASA volunteers make a huge difference in
these young peoples’ lives. It’s truly rewarding for those who
volunteer. By helping kids, you’re helping our community.”
The CASA program recruits, screens, trains and supports volunteers to
represent the best interests of hundreds of foster children annually.
The advocates represent the children in school, child and family team
meetings, and in court. Volunteering for the program involves a
two-year commitment and a willingness to spend time with the children
to advocate for them. In 1980, Judge John Mendoza led the creation of
the Clark County CASA Program.
The CASA mission continues to be fully supported by Family Court judges.
For those interested in volunteering with CASA, monthly orientations
are held on the third Wednesday of each month to provide more
information about the program. Upcoming orientations will be held at
the Government Center, 500 S. Grand Central Pkwy. For more information
about the program please call 702-455-4306, visit www.casalasvegas.org
or Facebook at www.facebook.com/#!/
The Eighth Judicial District Court continuously works to develop
innovative ideas, improve efficiencies, address issues and improve
access to justice. For more information about the courts, please visit
our website at www.clarkcountycourts.us or
https://www.facebook.com/
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