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hiSTOrY
Since 2007, I’ve teamed up with the American Red Cross to host my annual Lifesavers Blood Drive to combat summer blood shortages. In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic and an active flu season, the need for blood and plasma donations at hospitals has increased to a critical level. Since the COVID health crisis began, the American Red Cross has experienced a 10% decline in the number of people donating blood. This has led to a national blood crisis and the worst blood shortage in over a decade. It’s more important than ever that we each do our part to help overcome this challenge and save lives.
Each blood drive garners an impressive turnout of selfless donors. Last year, we were able to collect 157 units of blood, enough to help up to 471 hospital patients, and I’m confident this year’s drive will be no different. I’m aiming to collect at least 200 units of blood this year to break 2018’s record of 182 units of blood and provide the American Red Cross with the support it needs. I encourage everyone to join me on Tuesday, July 19, at Driver’s Village, 5885 E. Circle Drive, Cicero to support this cause.
Blood and plasma donations are used to treat a myriad of medical conditions, including cancer, leukemia, sickle cell disease, anemia, severe burns and trauma, internal bleeding, premature births and blood transfusions. It’s extremely helpful for people who’ve fully recovered from COVID-19 to donate, as their plasma contains antibodies that can help treat those affected by the virus. Given the risk to patient care due to the national blood shortage, blood and platelet donations are urgently needed to help prevent further delays in vital medical treatments. All blood types are needed, especially types O positive and O negative and platelet donations to reverse this crisis.
The blood donation process is easy and straightforward. Most New Yorkers qualify to be a volunteer donor. Donors in New York State must be at least 17 years of age to donate, or 16 with written consent from a parent or guardian. In addition, volunteers must weigh at least 100 pounds, be in good health and be properly hydrated before and after donation. It’s highly recommended that donors drink an extra 32 ounces of water on the day they donate and wait 56 days between donations if you wish to donate multiple times.
To schedule an appointment, you can visit redcrossblood.org or call 1-800-REDCROSS and use my sponsor code Al Stirpe. Walk-ins and first-time donors are welcome at the event, which will take place from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Donors can save time by using RapidPass to complete their pre-donation materials and health history questionnaire online prior to arriving to the blood drive. Donors can get started by following the instructions at RedCrossBlood.org/RapidPass or using the Blood Donor App. A blood donor card (if you have one), driver’s license or two other forms of identification are required at check in if you wish to donate. You can also go to: redcrossblood.org/give.html/driveresults?zipSponsor=Al%20Stirpe
I’m looking forward to coming together as a community for this important cause at my 16th annual Lifesavers Blood Drive. For more information about the blood donation process and national blood shortage, visit the Red Cross website at redcross.org/about-us/ news-and-events/press-release/2022/ blood-donors-needed-now-as-omicronintensifies.html, or reach out to my office at 315-452-1115 or StirpeA@ nyassembly.gov.
Years Ago in History
by Cindy bell tobey
80 years ago – July 16, 1942
Like mushrooms in the night, Madison County seems to be sprouting a sudden growth of steel towers. One night a barren hillside is a mere haven for grazing cattle; the next finds a hundred-foot structure reared into the sky. And no one seems to know where, how or why. Such a tower recently appeared on a hill on the Ridge Road north of Cazenovia. It sprung up one night and then all of a sudden it disappeared. Another suddenly appeared on the very top of Johnnycake Hill, with a U. S. Geodetic Survey directional bench mark, in brass, set in a concrete base beneath it. A similar one was reported near Eaton. No one saw it go up or knows why it was erected. Reports from an observation post watcher indicated that a searchlight was being used apparently to flash messages in Morse code from the one on Johnnycake Hill. According to one unconfirmed report, the towers are being used to man airway routes.
60 years ago – July 12, 1962
The hamlet of New Woodstock was crowded with some 8,000 spectators when the one-mile parade and Fourth of July fireworks display highlighted the Madison County Firemen’s Field Day last Wednesday. The Field Day opened on Tuesday, July 3 with a dance in the evening on the veranda at Mystic Mountain with Wayne Schramm and his orchestra from Delphi, and concessions and the midway. On Wednesday the Field Day opened at 11 a.m. with the grand parade at 1 p.m. forming on the ball diamond. New Woodstock was jammed for an hour as 10 bands, 17 fire companies, uniformed outfits and apparatus joined in the parade. Climbing up the one-mile road to Mystic Mountain the paraders withstood the blazing July 4 sun. The Cazenovia firemen were judged best in the parade. Hamilton was given second prize and Morrisville third.
40 years ago – July 14, 1982
There may be algae in Cazenovia Lake, there may be weeds, but the water, according to Cazenovia’s Public Works Administrator, Francis Van Deusen, is fit to drink. “That is, if it’s chlorinated,” Mr. Van Deusen said. “New York State is very cautious about drinking water and to meet the state standards, it does have to be chlorinated.” The lake is an auxiliary water supply for Cazenovia village, and as such, is tested monthly. Two samples are taken, one of “raw” water and one after chlorine has been added, and Mr. Van Deusen says the chlorinated sample meets the state’s regulations. The tests are made at the village pumping station that is at the left of the pier at Lakeland Park by Water Testing Laboratories of Cazenovia. A pipe that extends 800 to 1,000 feet out in the lake that connects with the pumping station is checked periodically by the Cazenovia Rescue Squad’s scuba diving team. “If we didn’t have the water tested regularly, and there were an emergency so that we needed the lake water, the State would make us wait 48 hours after a test before we could use it,” Mr. Van Duesen explained. “So we keep a good operation and maintenance program going, including testing the pump.”
20 years ago – July 10, 2002
Those who left right after the Fourth of July parade missed quite a scene. Bob McKinnon won the “Kiss a Cow” contest sponsored by the youth of the Cazenovia/Erieville/Nelson United Methodist churches, raising approximately $650. Penny Noll, director of Cazenovia Children’s House, finished in second place raising approximately $575. Charlie Davis, of Hawknest Farm in Erieville, donated his cow Lola to be kissed. A little (not so little) calf named Montgomery tagged along for the event too. A total of approximately $3,200 was raised, which will enable the church youth to help send five or six cows to third world countries. Heifer Project International, a not-for-profit agency based in Little Rock, Ak., will coordinate the purchase and delivery of livestock, and will help train the recipients how to take care of the animal and use it for milking and/or breeding purposes (not to slaughter them), and how to become self-sufficient.
CNY SPCA Pet of the week
Paxton is looking for his big break
Submitted by donna newman Photo by Amy WilliAms
Paxton is a hidden treasure who’s hiding in plain sight. He came to the shelter in april as a stray. we think he’s about a year old, and he weighs 57 pounds. He’s friendly, playful, and part of the doggy playgroup. He’s sweet, he’s affectionate, and he loves people. we think he would do well in a home with respectful, school-aged kids. the only question is, why hasn’t this great dog been discovered yet? Maybe he’s waiting for you to find him! If you’d like to know more about adoption, email frontdesk1@ cnyspca.org or call 315-454-4479.
2022 Kathryn Fish Lecture Series
Sunday, July 17th - 1-2pm
Mary Sorrendino, LMHC, CASA A Review of Her Book “Misery to Ministry”
Next Lecture: Sunday, August 21 Dr. Nasri Ghaly – Syracuse Psychiatrist - Dementia Come Visit The Farm!
See “Chocolate Cream” and the goats. Walk the track and enjoy the farm.
PUBLIC IS WELCOME!
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Donate $20 or more to The Jim Marshall Farms Foundation and receive a free book!
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