Red Cross urges blood donations to boost supplies

Scheduling a late summer getaway? Preparing to purchase back-to-school clothing and supplies?

Thinking about buying a new HD plasma screen TV to watch favorite college or pro football teams?

The American Red Cross, Greater Alleghenies Blood Services Region will help make such plans a reality for ten lucky blood and platelet donors who help ease the organization’s current serious blood shortage during August.

John Hagins, CEO, Greater Alleghenies Region, explained that five blood and five platelet donors who present to donate during August will automatically be entered in drawings for a $500 giftcertificate.com super certificate to redeem for one or more gift cards or certificates totaling $500.

“Patients’ lives depend on sustained strong donor turnout throughout August,” Hagins said. “Thousands of blood donations are needed each and every day to help treat accident victims, cancer patients, children with blood disorders and others. Unfortunately, blood donations through the Red Cross nationally are at the lowest they have been in 15 years. There is an emergency need for blood donors this summer. These drawings are a way to thank those who take time to donate blood.”

He said donors with all blood types are needed each day, adding that currently hospitals are experiencing a high demand for O positive, O negative, A negative and B negative blood types. Donors who have these blood types are urged to regularly donate blood throughout the year to maintain inventory levels.

Two drawings — one for a platelet donor and one for a blood or double red cell donor — will be held following these time periods: Aug. 1 – 4, Aug. 5 – 11, August 12 – 18, Aug. 19 – 25 and Aug. 26 – 31.

Winners will be notified within a week following the end of each entry period.

In addition, area Red Cross blood and platelet donors can earn double Donor Rewards points throughout August.

During 2012, Red Cross donors earn points with each blood and platelet donation. Rewards points can be redeemed each quarter, or saved and redeemed at the end of the year.

Donors are automatically entered in the Rewards Club when they make a blood, double red cell or platelet donation.

“Please schedule a donation appointment today to help us maintain a safe and adequate blood supply for patients in need,” Hagins said. “There’s still time to do something extraordinary this summer and donate blood.”

The complete donation process only takes about an hour and 15 minutes, with the actual donation only lasting 10 to 12 minutes.

 

W.Va. doctor admits violating drug control laws

HUNTINGTON, W.Va. (AP) — Federal prosecutors say a 55-year-old Cabell County physician has pleaded guilty to writing prescriptions for addictive pain medications to a patient who had a known addiction.

U.S. Attorney Booth Goodwin said Dr. Anita Dawson of Milton pleaded guilty Monday in Huntington to violating drug control laws. Dawson admitted she wrote prescriptions for nearly 6,000 pills containing oxycodone and more than 220 pills of the painkiller Endocet.

Goodwin says Dawson prescribed pain medications to a patient despite the individual’s repeated violations of a pain management agreement. The patient was only identified as “E.B.”

Dawson is scheduled to be sentenced Oct. 29. She faces up to four years in prison and a $250,000 fine.

 

Portsmouth celebrates late cowboy singer

PORTSMOUTH (AP) — Happy Trails! The southern Ohio city of Portsmouth celebrates hometown hero Roy Rogers in an annual festival this week that also features a new museum’s opening.

A ribbon-cutting will be held Wednesday for the Roy Rogers Memory’s Museum that’s intended to be a year-round attraction. Organizers will have movie posters, autographed photos, a cowboy hat and other items on display. A larger museum in Branson, Mo., closed a few years ago after declining attendance.

The late Rogers was born in Cincinnati as Leonard Franklin Slye. He starred in movie westerns, including “King of the Cowboys.” He also teamed with his late wife Dale Evans in a popular 1950s TV series.

The festival marks the 100th anniversary of Evans’ birth year.

The four-day festival features singers, memorabilia and other entertainment.