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LifeSouth donor centers will be open on the 4th of July

Submitted by Donna Wallace-King, Community Web Producer
Monday, July 2nd, 2012, 1:25pm
LifeSouth donor centers will be open on the 4th of July

LifeSouth community blood centers is in need of all blood types and donor centers will be open on the July 4th holiday. 

You can give the gift of live in just 30 to 40 minutes.  You must be 17 years of age or older (16-year-olds can donate with parental consent).  All you need to do is bring a photo ID to one of the donor centers listed below:
 

  • Montgomery @ 4139 Carmichael Road next to Henig Furs
  • East Region in Opelika, Al. @ 505 East Thomason Circle (behind EAMC)
  • Wiregrass @ 3833 Ross Clark Circle, Dothan-  next to Jim Skinner Honda

For more information, visit LifeSouth's website.

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Heat safety tips for seniors

Submitted by Donna Wallace-King, Community Web Producer
Monday, July 2nd, 2012, 9:40am
Heat safety tips for seniors

Alabama's high heat is particularly dangerous for older citizens.  The Alabama Department of Senior Services is encouraging seniors and their caregivers to take necessary precautions. 

Below are some safety tips that you may find helpful in preparing to battle the heat.  This would be a good time to check on your elderly neighbors, friends and family.

Some senior centers will be staying open additional hours to provide a place to stay cool.  To find a “cool zone” near you call your local Area Agency on Aging at 1-800-AGE-LINE (1-800-243-5463). 

HOT WEATHER SAFETY TIPS FOR SENIORS
 

  • Stay inside in an air conditioned facility as much as possible.
  • Avoid strenuous work during the warmest part of the day.
  • Some medications and health conditions can cause inability to tolerate heat.  Discuss these with your doctor.
  • Call your friends and check on them and hav
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Take extra precautions to avoid heat illness

Submitted by Donna Wallace-King, Community Web Producer
Thursday, June 28th, 2012, 10:24am
Take extra precautions to avoid heat illness

The Alabama Department of Public Health advises the public to be alert to the warning signs of heat illnesses. The National Weather Service offices in Birmingham and Huntsville have issued forecasts for temperatures expected to reach 100 degrees F starting with the western counties of Alabama on Thursday and spreading across all of Central Alabama by Friday. Extremely hot weather is expected to continue through the weekend.

Heat-related illnesses occur when the body’s temperature control system is overloaded. The Alabama Department of Public Health cautions everyone to be alert to the warnings that may signal help is needed.

Heat stroke, sometimes called sunstroke, is the most serious heat-related illness. It occurs when the body becomes unable to control its temperature. The body’s temperature rises rapidly, the sweating mechanism fails, and the body is unable to cool down. Body temperature may rise to 106 degrees F or higher within 10 to 15 minutes.

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ADPH works on screening and follow-up of TB case at Auburn University

Submitted by Donna Wallace-King, Community Web Producer
Thursday, June 28th, 2012, 9:42am
ADPH works on screening and follow-up of TB case at Auburn University

On June 27, Alabama Department of Public Health (ADPH) officials notified Auburn University of plans to investigate a case of pulmonary tuberculosis identified in an Auburn University student enrolled on the Auburn campus. ADPH and Auburn University are working closely to ensure that University students and employees will be screened quickly.

The state and local health departments are communicating regularly with Auburn University to keep its faculty, administration and students updated on this ongoing process.

Dr. Mary McIntyre, Assistant State Health Officer for Disease Control and Prevention, stated, “We are working very closely with the University to develop and implement a screening plan.

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Debby puts blood supply at emergency level, says LifeSouth

Submitted by JoBeth Davis, Community Web Producer
Monday, June 25th, 2012, 5:19pm
Debby puts blood supply at emergency level, says LifeSouth

            The flooding and storms from Tropical Storm Debby have left local blood supplies at emergency levels. With more severe weather predicted, supplies will continue to drop.

            “In many of our cities the shelves at LifeSouth are bare. It is important to have a reserve supply of blood on hand for emergencies, but the weather and the normal summer slowdown have all but wiped out any surplus,” said LifeSouth Vice President of Operations J.B. Bowles. “I ask our donors to please grab an umbrella and come out and donate.”

            On Sunday, part of Florida served by LifeSouth received more than five inches of rain, and coastal communities suffered minor flooding. With the storm heading north in the Gulf, the communities in Georgia and Alabama will also feel the effect.

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LifeSouth blood shortage nearing emergency levels

Submitted by Donna Wallace-King, Community Web Producer
Wednesday, June 20th, 2012, 9:51am
LifeSouth blood shortage nearing emergency levels

A blood shortage that started when severe weather blanketed the Southeast is now approaching emergency levels.

“Every summer is a struggle, when schools close and regular donors travel, but right now we are facing severe shortages for all blood types all across Alabama, Georgia and Florida,” said LifeSouth Community Blood Centers Vice President of Operations J.B. Bowles. “The storms that hit our region last week kept donors away, and we are still struggling to make up that deficit.”

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. Call LifeSouth toll-free at 888-795-2707 to find a blood drive near you. Included is a listing of all blood drives in this area for this week.

“Our goal is to keep every hospital supplied and have reserve blood on hand at LifeSouth, and right now there is no backup,” Bowles said.

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National Men's Health Week is this week

Submitted by Donna Wallace-King, Community Web Producer
Tuesday, June 12th, 2012, 1:38pm
National Men's Health Week is this week

The Alabama Department of Mental is encouraging men to seek out information about mental health as part of National Men’s Health Week, which is being observed June 11-17 this year. National Men’s Health Week is anchored by a Congressional health education program, and seeks to heighten awareness of preventable health problems and encourage early detection and treatment of disease among men and boys. Dr. Tammy Peacock, associate commissioner for the Division of Mental Health & Substance Abuse Services at ADMH says, “We want everyone to realize that like people with all types of illnesses, individuals with mental illnesses recover every day of the week. The stigma wrongly associated with mental illnesses often hinders people from seeking treatment at its early stages.

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