The American Red Cross now invites those who spent time in the U.K., Ireland or France and have never tried to give blood due to concerns over variant Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease (vCJD) – related to mad cow disease – to give blood and help save lives. Recently, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration updated its blood donor eligibility guidance on vCJD, eliminating the deferral … [Read more...]
Turn over a new leaf – give blood this fall
MINNEAPOLIS, MINN., September 22, 2022 — The American Red Cross is asking the public to start the season off with a lifesaving blood donation. While the leaves turn, the need for blood never changes. Those who give this fall play an important role in keeping the blood supply high enough to help patients counting on blood products for care – especially ahead of the busy holiday … [Read more...]
Blood drive in Harmony collects 38 units
The blood drive held in Harmony on September 27, 2022, succeeded in collecting 38 units of blood. There were 40 donors presenting with one first-timer. Congratulations to these six donors who reached the following milestones: •Lynn Eich, 11 gallons •Mary Hershberger, 4 gallons •James Neppl, 9 gallons •JoAnn Runkel, 10 gallons •Emery C. Stutzman, 8 gallons •Mark Webber, 8 … [Read more...]
Fillmore County Public Health acquires car seats through grant, will sponsor car seat clinic
“Ninety percent of car seats, nationally, are misused,” quoted Brenda Pohlman, CPS (Child Passenger Safety) Technician Proxy. “That number is higher in Fillmore County.” Fillmore County Public Health has Blue Plus, UCare, and Office of Public Safety grant car seats, and now the Gift of Safety grant. Fillmore County Public Health was one of three Minnesota organizations to … [Read more...]
Field of Flags acknowledges emergency responders’ PTSD battle
Researchers studying Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) are constantly evaluating the powerful way a tragic memory is defined in time and how physical triggers can instantly draw a person into that memory. The event - usually a terrifying one – which is experienced or witnessed can bring symptoms including nightmares, flashbacks and severe anxiety. Jenny Czapiewski and … [Read more...]
Blood and platelet donors needed now to help prevent a seasonal blood shortage
Just as most cars need to be refueled constantly, so does the nation’s blood supply. The American Red Cross has faced a concerning drop in blood and platelet donations this summer. Donors are needed to make an appointment to give in August to help prevent a blood shortage. The decline in donations has caused the Red Cross blood supply to shrink by nearly 20% in recent weeks. … [Read more...]
One Moment, Please… The shelves are pretty empty
By Jason Sethre Publisher Fillmore County Journal jason@fillmorecountyjournal.com In the past, I’ve shared a message about the needs of our local food shelves, but that usually doesn’t happen until around Thanksgiving. At a recent Preston Area Chamber of Commerce meeting, one of our chamber members who is very active with volunteering for many organizations shared that … [Read more...]
Harmony to host bloodmobile on July 5
Harmony will be hosting a bloodmobile at the Harmony Community Center, 225 Third Avenue SW, from 1-7 p.m. on Tuesday, July 5, 2022. Donating is by appointment only, but masks are no longer required. All donors will be required to provide identification before donating, so please remember your donor card or driver’s license. RapidPass (redcrossblood.org/RapidPass), which is … [Read more...]
Storm causes significant damage
On June 15, 2022, at approximately 11:47 a.m., a fast moving storm caused significant damage to area farms in Caledonia Township. Houston County dispatch originally received a report of as power line arching on a tree on County Road 10 in the area of Prairie Ridge Rd. Upon officer’s arrival to the area, it was discovered there was a significant amount of property damage in the … [Read more...]
Red Cross and Chatfield Fire Department to install free smoke alarms May 14
On Saturday, May 14, American Red Cross serving Southeast Minnesota, Chatfield Alliance, and Chatfield Fire Department will join together to install free smoke alarms for local families vulnerable to home fires during a Sound the Alarm event. This effort is part of a national Red Cross Sound the Alarm initiative to install 50,000 free smoke alarms in more than 50 at-risk … [Read more...]
Recycling 101 Hazardous waste disposal options
By Drew Hatzenbihler Solid Waste Administrator Fillmore County’s Household Hazardous Waste Collection event is nearly here! This year’s event will be on Tuesday, May 3 from 11 a.m. until 3p.m. I wanted to take this opportunity to remind everyone of some helpful tips for this event and also to give you some other options for hazardous waste disposal that exist within the … [Read more...]
Give blood during National Minority Health Month Mini-health screening, gift card and chance at travel trailer camper for donors
April is National Minority Health Month — a time to raise awareness about health disparities that disproportionately affect racial and ethnic minority populations. The American Red Cross is reminding blood donors it’s critically important to maintain a stable blood supply this spring to support those with chronic illnesses and other blood needs in the U.S. Blood transfusions … [Read more...]
Fillmore County declares state of emergency
Emergency Manager/Deputy Don Kullot described the damage resulting from the April 12 storm at a special meeting of the Fillmore County Board held on April 19. Already, damage estimates that qualify for public assistance have exceeded the necessary threshold of $43,500 required by the state. Preliminary numbers from MiEnergy are at least $50,000. MiEnergy and other damages in … [Read more...]
Cub Scout Pack 53 food shelf donation drive a success
Cub Scout Pack 53 of the Rushford Peterson area recently held a food shelf donation drive, and is thankful for the generous donations to the Rushford Food Shelf. Pack 53 is also appreciative of the many area businesses that hosted donation cups to raise money. This donation drive raised $1,166.32 for the food shelf. … [Read more...]
Celebrate spring and help save lives by giving blood Red Cross T-shirt for those who come to give April 1-18
MANKATO, MN, March 22, 2022 – It’s officially spring! As the weather warms up and the latest COVID-19 surge continues to slow, many people are looking forward to meeting up with family and friends. At the start of this new season, the American Red Cross encourages the community to play an important role in helping save lives by making blood donation part of their spring … [Read more...]
