Newsworthy

Dear Community Partners,

Here are today’s updates:

• Emersen Frazier Selected as YWCA Woman of Excellence Honoree
• Community Blood Center Declares Blood Emergency

Emersen Frazier Selected as YWCA Woman of Excellence Honoree

Emersen Frazier, Stormont Vail Health’s Director of Health Equity and Policy, has been selected as one of 25 honorees for the upcoming YWCA Women of Excellence Awards Program. Emersen was surprised Monday by a visit from YWCA Northeast Kansas representatives announcing her selection as an honoree. Emersen’s parents were also surprise guests for the announcement, which was done in Administration following morning huddle.

The 36^th annual Women of Excellence Awards and Gala, which benefits the YWCA Northeast Kansas, will be held Saturday, Sept. 14, at The Beacon, 420 S.W. 9^th.  In addition to honoring this year’s Women of Excellence, this event benefits the work of YWCA Northeast Kansas. Funds raised support the YWCA Center for Safety and Empowerment, youth programs. affordable childcare, women’s leadership initiatives, and racial justice advocacy and education. Event information is available online.

Community Blood Center Declares Blood Emergency

Community Blood Center (CBC) has declared a blood emergency due to a significant drop in blood donations. In the past several weeks, donations have been hundreds short of what is needed to meet demand, placing a strain on the region’s blood supply during the critical summer months.

The weeks between Memorial Day and Labor Day are often referred to as “trauma season” due to a spike in traumatic accidents during the warmer months. About 25% of trauma patients require blood transfusions, so an increase in traumas can strain an already limited blood supply. Additionally, school breaks, travel, and busy summer schedules make blood donation less of a priority and often lead to seasonal shortages.

“Stormont Vail Health typically sees an increase in the need for donated blood components during summer months, when people are more active outdoors and there are often more traumatically injured patients,” said Carrie Easley, MLS (ASCP) SBB, Laboratory Manager, Quality and Safety Transfusion at Stormont Vail Health. “These needs are in addition to the patients that we are already supporting, such as our premature infants, patients being treated for cancer, and those undergoing cardiac surgery. This blood needs to be on our shelves at the moment it is needed. Our patients can’t wait. To ensure there are adequate blood resources, we encourage those in our region to consider donating blood during this critical time.”

The region currently only has a 2-day blood supply of types O-, O+, and B-, well below the optimal level of 5-7 days. Platelets and all other blood types are also in short supply. To encourage donations, all donors who show up to donate at any CBC donation location now through July 31 will be entered in a drawing to win Chiefs tickets to one of the first four pre-season or regular-season home games.

Blood donors can give every 56 days, and platelet donors can give twice per month. Eligible individuals are encouraged to donate at least once per season to maintain a stable community blood supply. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recently lifted several blood donor eligibility restrictions. To view current eligibility guidelines or make an appointment, visit savealifenow.org or call 877-468-6844.

We together,

Dr. K