Current U.S. Blood Supply is Adequate to Handle Demands Resulting from Earthquake in Haiti

Editor's Note: Are you wanting a way to donate to assist those recently affected by disaster, but your funds are low? Think about giving a pint of blood. It just could save a life.

/PRNewswire/ -- The AABB Interorganizational Task Force on Domestic Disasters and Acts of Terrorism has determined that the current blood supply in the United States is adequate to fill any requests received to support the present needs of Haitian hospitals, though ongoing infrastructure and transportation issues in Haiti could delay receipt of those supplies to patients. To help ensure that the U.S. blood supply remains adequate, the task force recommends that people wanting to donate call their local blood donation centers to schedule an appointment for the coming weeks and months, especially eligible donors who are Type O-negative. The task force will continue to monitor the situation and provide updates if blood needs change.

"U.S. blood banks have enough blood to meet the immediate medical needs of Haiti earthquake victims," said Dale Malloy, chairman of the task force. "We are in contact with health care organizations in Haiti, and task force members are diligently working to overcome the logistical challenges to ensure that vital, yet perishable, blood products reach the patients in Haiti."

Individuals with Type O blood are "universal" donors and should schedule a blood donation appointment as soon as possible. Type O blood is the only blood type that can be safely transfused to patients with other blood types, and therefore is frequently used in emergency situations. The task force applauds those wishing to help and encourages all eligible individuals to give blood regularly, as this helps ensure that blood is readily available whenever and wherever it is needed.

Those interested in donating blood may contact the following organizations to find a local blood collection site and to schedule an appointment:

-- AABB: www.aabb.org; +1.301.215.6526
-- America's Blood Centers: www.americasblood.org; +1.888.USBLOOD
(+1.888.872.5663)
-- American Red Cross: www.redcrossblood.org; +1.800.RED CROSS
(+1.800.733.2767)
-- Armed Services Blood Program: www.militaryblood.dod.mil;
+1.703.681.8024


The task force was formed in January 2002 to help make certain that blood collection efforts resulting from domestic disasters and acts of terrorism are managed properly and to deliver clear and consistent messages to the public regarding the status of America's blood supply. The task force is composed of representatives from U.S. blood services, associations and commercial entities, as well as liaisons from governmental agencies, who work together in an effort to ensure that safe and adequate blood product inventories are in place at all times in preparation for disasters such as the recent event in Haiti. In addition, the task force operates as a mechanism to assess the need for collections and/or transportation of blood should a disaster occur.

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Haitian Earthquake Relief Fraud Alert

The FBI today reminds Internet users who receive appeals to donate money in the aftermath of Tuesday’s earthquake in Haiti to apply a critical eye and do their due diligence before responding to those requests. Past tragedies and natural disasters have prompted individuals with criminal intent to solicit contributions purportedly for a charitable organization and/or a good cause.

Therefore, before making a donation of any kind, consumers should adhere to certain guidelines, to include the following:

* Do not respond to any unsolicited (spam) incoming e-mails, including clicking links contained within those messages.
* Be skeptical of individuals representing themselves as surviving victims or officials asking for donations via e-mail or social networking sites.
* Verify the legitimacy of nonprofit organizations by utilizing various Internet-based resources that may assist in confirming the group’s existence and its nonprofit status rather than following a purported link to the site.
* Be cautious of e-mails that claim to show pictures of the disaster areas in attached files because the files may contain viruses. Only open attachments from known senders.
* Make contributions directly to known organizations rather than relying on others to make the donation on your behalf to ensure contributions are received and used for intended purposes.
* Do not give your personal or financial information to anyone who solicits contributions: Providing such information may compromise your identity and make you vulnerable to identity theft.

Anyone who has received an e-mail referencing the above information or anyone who may have been a victim of this or a similar incident should notify the IC3 via www.ic3.gov.

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$11.5 Million in New Support to the Greater Grady Campaign

Grady Health System today announced that the Greater Grady Campaign has secured $11.5 million in new donations. The contributions, from three well-known Atlanta-based companies and an anonymous donor, will help drive a five-year plan to modernize healthcare delivery at Grady, including necessary upgrades to equipment, information technology and facilities that will lay the groundwork for Grady to expand its life-saving services.

“We thank these four organizations for their generous support of the Greater Grady Campaign. Their support is a testament to the important role Grady plays in our region’s health care system and their belief that Grady is headed in the right direction,” said Tom Bell, chair of the Greater Grady Campaign and Chairman and CEO of Cousins Properties. “I think everyone involved with the Campaign is delighted with the success we’ve had so far.”

“The Greater Grady Campaign” received support from the following local donors: Anonymous: $5 million

· Georgia Power Company: $3 million

· Cox Enterprises: $2.5 million

· Georgia-Pacific: $1 million ">The Greater Grady Campaign kicked off in January 2009 following a generous $200 million lead gift from the Robert W. Woodruff Foundation. With the $11.5 million donations, the Campaign has raised $265 million toward the overall $325 million goal.

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Checkoff Makes Giving Wildlife a Chance Simple at Tax Time

As Georgians prepare their annual income tax forms, the Georgia Department of Natural Resources is reminding all that tax time is a prime time to support wildlife. The Give Wildlife a Chance state income tax checkoff provides a hassle-free option for donating to the Nongame Wildlife Conservation Fund, which supports critical wildlife conservation projects statewide.

“Every dollar contributed through the state income tax checkoff is placed in a special fund dedicated to the conservation of nongame and endangered species,” said Jon Ambrose, assistant chief of the DNR Wildlife Resources Division’s Nongame Conservation Section. “These donations are especially important because the division receives no state funding for nongame wildlife conservation.”

Nongame wildlife includes all native animals not legally hunted, fished for or trapped, as well as all native plants.

Citizens can donate to support nongame species management and conservation in Georgia by filling in any amount more than $1 on line 26 of the state’s long tax form (Form 500) or line 10 of the short form (Form 500EZ). Contributions can be deducted from refunds or added to payments.

Since 1989, the Give Wildlife a Chance checkoff has raised more than $5.7 million for conservation projects benefiting peregrine falcons, manatees, frogs, salamanders, sea turtles, songbirds, rare wildflowers and other native wildlife.

The income tax checkoff and sales of wildlife plates depicting a bald eagle or ruby-throated hummingbird provide vital funding for conservation projects statewide, helping acquire high-priority habitat and supporting nongame-related conservation, recreation and education projects throughout the state.

For more information on projects funded with checkoff and wildlife tag dollars, visit www.georgiawildlife.com or contact Nongame Conservation Section offices in Social Circle (770-761-3035), Forsyth (478-994-1438) or Brunswick (912-264-7218).

By supporting both the checkoff and nongame wildlife plates, Georgians can help give wildlife a chance.

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Erik Compton Champions the Cause of Organ Donation As He Competes This Week to Win PGA Tour Card

(BUSINESS WIRE)--Just four months after his second heart transplant, Professional Golfer Erik Compton is back on the course this week, competing to achieve his lifetime goal—a card to play on the PGA Tour.

Perhaps cheering loudest for Compton will be the 90,000-plus Americans waiting on organ donor waiting lists. An average of 17 people die each day (over 6,000 each year) waiting for a transplant.

Though golf will be his focus this week as he competes in the first of three qualifying tournaments starting on Tuesday (October 21st) to earn the right to play with the likes of Tiger Woods and Phil Mickelson, Compton will also be promoting a cause, literally near and dear to his new heart.

“Organ donation is literally the gift of life,” said the 28-year-old former University of Georgia All-American, who suffered a massive heart attack in October 2007. “I owe my life to two families and two donors, who made the decision to make available life-saving organs for transplants. I’m honored to be able to give back by supporting the Transplant Foundation in Miami and their effort to build awareness through the sale of a specialty Florida license tag—“Donate Organs. Pass it On.”

Both causes are generously displayed on Compton’s golf bag, shirt and hat. Compton also carries a special gift from a young athlete killed in a motorcycle accident—a strong and healthy new heart.

“I’m here today because of him,” said Compton, who hopes someday to meet the young donor’s parents.

Compton, who received his first heart transplant at the age of 12 as a result of heart disease, will be competing with 1,100 golfers competing across the country at 11 courses in the stage one qualifying round to ultimately earn a PGA Tour card. The PGA has granted Compton the right to use a cart during qualifying stages.

Slowly regaining his strength from a life-saving heart transplant, Compton’s golf swing is in top form, however, stamina is an issue, where walking four to five miles a day during a typical tournament has proved to be too taxing.

Recently in a warm-up tournament on the same Crandon Park Golf Course where he will compete in stage one Q School this week, Compton scored a sizzling 65, winning the Key Biscayne Open by six strokes. In fact, in three tournaments in which Compton has competed since his near fatal heart attack, he has played well, shooting 66, 67 and 65 respectively.

“It’s like throwing darts,” said Compton. “Golf is a game of skill. Once you’ve learned the skill, it never goes away. I’m swinging the clubs well enough to be competitive, I just need to get strong and healthy so I can get back to walking the course like everyone else.”

The PGA has given Compton a six-month rule waiver so he can play from a cart. He will have to reapply to continue at that time.

In passing the first qualifying stage, Compton’s next test will be a stage two qualifying tournament in Georgia, with the final qualifying tournament in Palm Springs, where 25 golfers will receive PGA Tour cards.

About Erik Compton

Erik holds the distinction as being the only professional golfer in the world to compete with a transplanted heart. Erik, who became the #1 junior golfer in the country and AJGA Rolex Junior Player of the Year in 1998, accepted a scholarship offer at the University of Georgia. At UGA, Erik went on to become an All-American. Erik’s success on the course led to him being named to the prestigious Walker Cup and Palmer Cup teams in 2001. Since turning professional in 2001, Erik has found success at every level of competition. He has won international events such as the King Hassan Trophy II of Morocco in 2005. He finished at the top of the Order of Merit List (money title) for the Canadian Tour in 2004 (after winning numerous events that season), and has won numerous times on the NGA Hooters Tour (most recently in 2006). Since turning professional in 2001, Erik has competed primarily on the PGA Nationwide Tour circuit. He has had several top-10 finishes throughout his career. His best finish on the Nationwide Tour was tied for 1st at the Preferred Health Systems Wichita Open in 2004. Erik has competed successfully on the PGA Tour as well where he has made 5 cuts in 11 career starts. This summer, Compton married Barbara Casco, and the couple is expecting a child, ironically scheduled on the anniversary of Erik’s first transplant on February 26th.

About The Transplant Foundation

Transplant Foundation is a 501 (c) (3) dedicated to funding patient services, public education to increase organ donation and lifesaving transplant research. The goal is to provide the Gift of Life to all in need. For more information, please contact Transplant Foundation at 1-866-901-3172 or visit www.transplantfoundation.org. The revenues from the sale of the specialty Donate Organs. Pass it On license plates will be used in the areas of research, patient services and education. Tampa, Jacksonville, Gainesville, Orlando and Miami offer medical facilities specializing in transplants.

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Noah's Ark is in Crisis

Editor's Note: Noah's Ark is a tremendous operation just south of Atlanta. Not only do they take in animals, they are also the home of many children who need to learn to trust again. You may remember the last animal Noah's Ark rescued from I-75. It was a young zebra who has since made his home in Georgia. Evidence the zebra has been featured on the Georgia Front Page and our All About Animals blog in the past.

The national financial crisis has hit us hard - our donations have all but stopped coming in -and we still have over 1,200 mouths to feed! We are the only family these animals have - and your support makes what we do possible.

Please, if you can, make a donation today. NO GIFT IS TOO SMALL. Every gift makes a difference, whether it be $5.00 or $500.00!

You've given in the past, and we are grateful - and we hope that we can count on you now.

Please take a moment to give so that we can continue to provide for these wonderful animals!

Bless you and thank you.

Jama Hedgecoth and the
Noah's Ark Family
Noah's Ark
712 LG Griffin Road,
Locust Grove, GA 30248
770-957-0888
www.noahs-ark.org

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