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Groups seek to educate public during National Autism Awareness Month

Submitted by Donna Wallace-King, Community Web Producer
Monday, April 1st, 2013, 12:22pm
Groups seek to educate public during National Autism Awareness Month

Governor Robert Bentley has proclaimed April as Autism Awareness Month in Alabama. The Alabama Interagency Autism Coordinating Council and the Autism Society of Alabama are partnering to promote this observance. The month-long awareness campaign held annually in April has been sponsored since the 1970s by the Autism Society of America, and seeks to highlight the growing need for concern and awareness about autism spectrum disorders.

Events will be held statewide celebrating the observance, including a series of Walks for Autism in 15 locations around the state. Proceeds from the walks benefit the Autism Society of Alabama, which also sponsors the walks. In addition, a “Light It Up Blue” campaign will also be going on during April, involving everything from office buildings to people’s front porches.

According to the most recent autism prevalence rate released by the CDC, 1 in 88 children are identified as having an autism spectrum disorder.

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Hospitals face blood shortages during spring break

Submitted by Donna Wallace-King, Community Web Producer
Thursday, March 28th, 2013, 12:31pm
Hospitals face blood shortages during spring break

As Easter weekend approaches, many are enjoying a spring break. But for our community’s hospitals, it is one of the most difficult times of the year. Schools and colleges close and people prepare for vacations, prompting a dramatic decline in the blood donations that are essential for our local hospitals to function. 

A rise in traffic accidents due to increased travel leads to a higher number of blood transfusions.

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March is Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month

Submitted by Donna Wallace-King, Community Web Producer
Tuesday, March 5th, 2013, 11:03am
March is Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month

For 26 years, The Arc of the United States has sponsored Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month to enhance understanding of the issues affecting people with developmental disabilities and educate the public that people with developmental disabilities can be vital and vibrant members of communities.

According to a recent study by the CDC:

  • Developmental disabilities affect more than 7 million Americans (and more than 121,000 Alabamians)
  • About one in six children in the U.S. had one or more developmental disabilities or delays in 2006-2008
  • The prevalence of parent-reported developmental disabilities increased 17 percent from 1997-2008

These statistics underscore the increasing need for specialized health services, education and social services for people with developmental disabilities.

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LifeSouth is hosting a blood drive in Auburn today

Submitted by Donna Wallace-King, Community Web Producer
Saturday, February 9th, 2013, 11:03am
LifeSouth is hosting a blood drive in Auburn today

LifeSouth Community Blood Centers are in need of all blood types as the blood inventory continues to hover at emergency levels.

LifeSouth urges all eligible donors who are feeling healthy to come out and support their communities by donating blood as soon as possible. Donors must be 17 or older, or 16 with parental permission, weigh a minimum of 110 pounds and be in good health. A photo ID is also required.

LifeSouth is hosting a blood drive in Auburn today:

  • Hastings of Auburn from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Please help LifeSouth build its supply of all blood types by donating at this drive.

For more information about LifeSouth Community Blood Centers, visit their website or call 334-260-0803.

Donors can also donate blood any time at the Donor Center in Montgomery.  It is located at 4193 Carmichael Road.

Source:  LifeSouth Blood Centers, Inc.

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LifeSouth is hosting two blood drives in Auburn today

Submitted by Donna Wallace-King, Community Web Producer
Thursday, February 7th, 2013, 11:01am
LifeSouth is hosting two blood drives in Auburn today

LifeSouth Community Blood Centers are in need of all blood types.  After last Friday’s declaration of an emergency blood shortage, donors’ response to the news across the region has been encouraging; however, the blood inventory continues to hover at emergency levels.

LifeSouth urges all eligible donors who are feeling healthy to come out and support their communities by donating blood as soon as possible. Donors must be 17 or older, or 16 with parental permission, weigh a minimum of 110 pounds and be in good health. A photo ID is also required.

LifeSouth is hosting two blood drives in Auburn today:

  • Earth Fare of Auburn from 11 a.m. until 3:30 p.m.
  • Health Plus of Auburn from 4 p.m.
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LifeSouth is hosting blood drives in Auburn today

Submitted by Donna Wallace-King, Community Web Producer
Wednesday, February 6th, 2013, 9:10am
LifeSouth is hosting blood drives in Auburn today

LifeSouth Community Blood Centers are in need of all blood types.  After last Friday’s declaration of an emergency blood shortage, donors’ response to the news across the region has been encouraging; however, the blood inventory continues to hover at emergency levels.

LifeSouth urges all eligible donors who are feeling healthy to come out and support their communities by donating blood as soon as possible. Donors must be 17 or older, or 16 with parental permission, weigh a minimum of 110 pounds and be in good health. A photo ID is also required.

LifeSouth is hosting three blood drives in Auburn today:

  • Auburn University College of Science and Math from 9 a.m. until 5 p.m.
  • Fusion Salon of Auburn from 10 a.m. until 1:30 p.m.
  • Creekside of Auburn from 2 p.m.
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More than 900 students and teachers expected to be in Montgomery for HOSA Conference this week

Submitted by Donna Wallace-King, Community Web Producer
Tuesday, February 5th, 2013, 3:02pm
More than 900 students and teachers expected to be in Montgomery for HOSA Conference this week

Health-related careers are expected to be a popular occupational choice in the future. According to data from the U.S. Department of Labor, the total employment rate for health services managers alone is expected to grow by 22 percent (2010-2020).
 
More than 900 students and teachers travel to Montgomery this week to participate in two days of competitive events and advanced leadership study at the Alabama 2013 Health Occupations Students of America (HOSA) Leadership Conference, February 7-8. Students attending this conference at the Renaissance Montgomery Hotel and Convention Center will have an opportunity to participate in more than 45 different competitions and workshops.
 
Currently, the national HOSA organization has over 100,000 members throughout the United States. Alabama has approximately 4,000 members.

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