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4 NEWS THE FOOTHILLS FOCUS | JULY 1, 2020 Vitalant’s blood tested for COVID-19 antibodies

BY FOOTHILLS FOCUS STAFF

Donate blood through Vitalant and the donation will be tested for COVID-19 antibodies. An authorized Food and Drug Administration test, it indicates if donors’ immune systems have produced antibodies to the virus, regardless of whether they showed symptoms. The antibody test is not a way to find out if you are infected with this virus. While a positive antibody test does not mean someone is immune to COVID-19, it does mean he or she may be eligible to donate convalescent plasma and help people who are still recovering from coronavirus infection.

Blood donors can log on to their Vitalant confidential donor portal to access test results within three weeks after their donation. For more information, visit vitalant.org/antibodytest.

Blood donations are expected to drop up to 30% on the days around the Independence Day holiday. Donors are strongly urged to give blood as soon as possible. For an appointment, visit vitalant.org or call 1-877-258-4825 (1-877-25-VITAL).

Visit the following centers:

Scottsdale

• 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Tuesdays and

Wednesdays; 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Thursdays; 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. Fridays to Sundays; and 10:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Mondays at the Scottsdale Donor Center, 15170 N. Hayden Road, Suite 6. • 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, July 11,

Harley-Davidson of Scottsdale, 15656 N. Hayden Road. • 8 a.m. to noon Saturday, July 18, Crossfit PHX, 2200 N. Scottsdale

Road. • 8 a.m. to noon Saturday, July 18, Resurrection Lutheran Church, 4930 E.

Greenway Road. • 8 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Sunday, July 19, high schools will not have graduation ceremonies. In a June 25 letter to parents, Deer Valley Unified School District Superintendent Curtis Finch said, “DVUSD truly hoped that we would be able to hold your graduation ceremony at State Farm Stadium with social distancing and safety precautions in place; however, today, the Arizona Sports and Tourism Authority, the governing authority over State Farm Stadium, announced that they will not allow us to proceed with the ceremonies due to the current Our Lady of Perpetual Help Catholic Church, 7655 E. Main Street. 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Tuesday, July 21, Encompass Health Rehabilitation Hospital of Scottsdale, 9630 E. Shea Boulevard. 8 a.m. to noon Thursday, July 23, Salt River Fire Department, 10157 E. Osborn Road. 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Sunday, July 26, Highlands Church, 9050 E. Pinnacle Peak Road. 7:30 to 11:30 a.m. Monday, July 27, HonorHealth-Scottsdale Thompson Peak Medical Center, 7400 E. Thompson Peak Parkway. 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. Thursday, July 30, Mayo Clinic, 13400 E. Shea Boulevard.

Cave Creek

• 8 a.m. to noon Sunday, July 19, St. Gabriel the Archangel, 32648 N.

Cave Creek Road. health situation in Arizona. In addition, Gov. Ducey said today he is discouraging large gatherings because of recent increases in cases of COVID-19, and therefore, we would be unable to hold alternate ceremonies. “I am personally saddened for the students in the Class of 2020, that they are not able to participate in this rite of passage.”

The Deer Valley district includes Barry Goldwater and Deer Valley high schools in North Phoenix, Boulder Creek High School in the Anthem/New River area and Mountain Ridge High School in the North Glendale/Peoria area.

North Phoenix/New River

• 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Wednesday, July 8, OptumCare, 20414 N. 27th Avenue, first floor. • 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Wednesday, July 22, OptumCare, 20414 N. 27th Avenue, first floor.

Northeast Phoenix/Paradise Valley

• 2 to 6 p.m. Sunday, July 12, The Shelter Church, 13832 N. 32nd Street. • Noon to 4 p.m. Tuesday, July 28, Genesis Church and Solid Rock, 13625 N. 32nd Street.

Northeast Phoenix

• 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Tuesday, July 14,

Phoenix Police Black Mountain Precinct, 19021 N. 32nd Street.

North Phoenix/Anthem

• 8 a.m. to noon Saturday, July 18,

Cross of Christ Lutheran Church, 39808 N. Gavilan Peak Parkway, An

Summer is here

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Deer Valley Unified cancels graduations

BY FOOTHILLS FOCUS STAFF

Peoria and Deer Valley Unified

them. Peoria Unified School District canceled graduation ceremonies for its eight high schools scheduled for State Farm Stadium. “It is with heavy hearts that we announce the cancellation of our graduation ceremonies that were rescheduled to take place June 25, 26 and 27,” said a letter from David Sandoval, the school board president, and Linda Palles Thompson, the PUSD superintendent, to graduates and their families. “Given the increase in COVID-19 cases, we have determined it is not in the best interest of our students, staff, parents and community to proceed with these events,” said the June 25 letter.

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Contact Christina Fuoco-Karasinski at 480-898-5631 or christina@timespublications.com