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...]