Blood Bank of Delmarva will host a Boots and Badges Hero Drive from Monday, Dec. 2 to Saturday, Dec. 14.
The drive creates a friendly competition between the police and fire departments on the Delmarva Peninsula to see which arm of the civil services can bring in the most blood donations during the two-week period.
“Boots and Badges is a fun way for police and fire departments and EMS to compete in a life saving competition,” said Michael Waite, director of Marketing and Community Relations for Blood Bank of Delmarva. “We all appreciate the work these everyday heroes do for the citizens of Delmarva each day. Boots and Badges is just another way for them to work together towards saving lives in our community.”
Boots and Badges is open to the public as well as members of the police or fire departments. Blood donors can show their support for one or the other by filling out a Hero Card when they go to any of the donation centers or community mobile blood drives to give blood.
“In addition to being a fun, light-hearted competition, Boots and Badges will help us sustain our blood supply during this holiday season,” Waite said. “We typically see a decrease in donation around this time of year because so many people are involved in holiday activities. The competition will be a way to ensure we have the 350 donors we need each day to serve the needs of the 16 hospitals on Delmarva.”
Tours of Resource, Tech Center offered
Easter Seals Delaware & Maryland’s Eastern Shore marked the fourth anniversary of its Resource and Technology Demonstration Center by inviting the public to come in and explore their newest devices and resources for independent living.
More than 1,000 people per year have made their way through the center at 61 Corporate Circle in New Castle, to find “tools for independence” for themselves or loved ones of all ages and abilities.
“If you’ve visited the Resource Center in the past, come see us again – we are always adding new devices to our inventory,” Nancy Ranalli, Director of Community Outreach for Easter Seals, said. “There are hundreds of devices in the center that can make your life or the life of someone you love a little bit easier. ”
“In addition to assistive technology there is information about community resources, books and DVDs about disabilities, and catalogs for ordering equipment,” Ranalli said. “A section of the center is even set up to replicate a home setting to showcase how modifications and technology can make a home safer and more accessible.”
The Resource and Technology Demonstration Center is open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., and one of our knowledgeable staff members is always there to help – no appointment necessary! Call for information regarding evening or weekend hours. The Resource and Technology Demonstration Center is part of Easter Seals Community Outreach program, which offers disability related education and resources to connect consumers, caregivers and professionals to information they need. For more information, contact Nancy Ranalli at (302)221-2033 or nranalli@esdel.org.
Blood pressure screening grant from Astra Zeneca
Christiana Care Health System’s Center for Heart & Vascular Health screened more than 2,600 people for high blood pressure with the help of a $150,000 gift from AstraZeneca HealthCare Foundation’s Connections for Cardiovascular Health program.
Christiana Care’s outreach effort empowers individuals so they are familiar with key heart health numbers – blood pressure, cholesterol levels and waist size – and can make behavioral changes. The effort also gives participants a number of strategies to help them improve their cardiovascular health.
During the three years of funding from Connections for Cardiovascular Health – between July 2010 to June 2013 – Christiana Care also was able to help patients through the following ways:
- · The Center for Heart & Vascular Health screened 759 patients through an on-site comprehensive cardiovascular risk assessment program that included personalized risk factor counseling with an emphasis on individualized goals.
- · A group known as the Blood Pressure Ambassadors at Christiana Care educated the African American community about how to identify and manage high blood pressure and its complications.
- · The Center for Heart and Vascular Health partnered with the Christiana Care Center for Community Health to provide three 8-week community-based weight management and exercise programs free of charge that led to improvements in exercise and healthy eating.
- · Christiana Care made referrals to primary care physicians for screening participants who did not have a regular doctor.
