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Why the Red Cross Is Asking Americans to Donate Blood

Currents News Staff

It’s that time of year again: as summer heats up, the level of blood donations in the U.S. goes down.

“In June alone we saw a 12% decline in donations,” said Rodney Wilson from the American Red Cross, “which is very significant and more than we have seen in many, many months.”

Summer months are always a struggle for blood collection. That’s because as travelers head out for vacations, blood drives can’t be hosted at schools, and people tend to make less time to donate.

The pandemic also hasn’t helped, says Wilson.

“Lots of factors related to COVID continue to make it hard for us to collect enough blood,” said Wilson.

The American Red Cross says whole blood is the flexible type of donation because it can be transfused in its original form, or separated into red cells, plasma and platelets to help multiple people.

It is often given to trauma patients or those having surgery.

“The need for blood can come up unexpectedly and suddenly at any time,” said Wilson.

Wilson says more donors of all blood types are needed to prevent typical summer shortages.

“On average, the Red Cross needs to collect close to 13,000 blood donations every single day to support patients at 2,500 hospitals across the country,” Wilson said.

He says it only takes about an hour of your time to help others.

If you want to find out more about a blood donation center near you, or schedule an appointment, just log onto REDCROSS.ORG or call 1-800-Red-Cross.

 

High Temperatures Grip the Nation

Currents News Staff

With the rising temperatures, there is one place to be this week. New Yorkers flocked to the Rockaways Wednesday to try to beat the heat as temperatures soared into the 90’s with feel-like temps climbing into the triple digits.

“This is serious heat,” said New York City Mayor Eric Adams, “and we’re really concerned about those, particularly with pre-existing respiratory conditions.”

In Florida, high temperatures prompted the hiring of a Chief Heat Officer to protect residents from the sweltering heat conditions.

“We have almost double the number of days with a heat index over 90 degrees here in Miami than we did in the 1970s,” said Chief Heat Officer Jane Gilbert.

It’s even worse in Texas where Austin’s mayor says it’s the 40th day in a row with temperatures over 100 degrees!

“Summers can be hot in Texas,” said Mayor Steve Adler, “but this is, this is unlike anything that I’ve seen… we had temperatures up to 109 degrees.”

Imagine not having air conditioning during these summer heat waves. That was the case in Arizona where thousands of people were without electricity on Tuesday with the triple digit heat. In California, splash parks like the one in Sacramento are providing some relief. Out in Connecticut, residents are diving into pools in the city of Hartford to cool off.

But if you can’t be near the water, doctors say you should avoid the heat and drink plenty of fluids.

“Wear loose fitting clothing, light clothing,” said Dr. McDonna Hinds. “Things that are breathable, such as cotton and linen. And then also keep well hydrated. And wear wide brim hats and try to stay in the shade as much as possible.”

Forecasters say New York City is facing the longest stretch of 90 degree temperatures in nearly a decade. The sweltering heat is expected to linger through Monday.

A Decade-Long Milestone: What’s In Store For Bishop Brennan’s Next 10 Years as a Catholic Leader

Currents News Staff

The shepherd of the Diocese of Brooklyn is celebrating his 10 year anniversary as a bishop. Bishop Robert Brennan was ordained as an auxiliary bishop for the Diocese of Rockville Centre in Long Island on July 25, 2012.

Fast forward 10 years, give or take a few days, and Bishop Brennan joined Currents News to go down memory lane, reflect on the past decade and share his biggest lessons.

Catholic News Headlines for Tuesday, 07/19/22

In a post-Roe America, the battle for life is just beginning; and there are new developments from West Virginia to Mississippi and beyond.

The Manhattan D.A. has moved to drop murder charges against a bodega worker in Harlem who fatally stabbed a man who attacked him.

Wild weather battered New York City Monday, as severe storms flooded highways, streets and even subway stations.

Why This New York High School Football Coach Is Swimming From Alcatraz to San Francisco

Currents News Staff

St. Francis Preparatory H.S.’s football Coach Richard Carroll wants to raise money for a new portable scoreboard. So he’s decided to swim the shark-infested waters of San Francisco Bay.

Coach Carroll joined Currents News to discuss the two-mile route he’ll be undertaking from Alcatraz to San Francisco, how he’s been preparing for the journey and why he’s doing it for the student-athletes in Queens.

To donate to Coach Carrol’s efforts, just search on Facebook for: Coach Carrol’s Alcatraz Swim for Friends of SFP Football”

 

Abortion Clinic Building at the Center of Roe v. Wade Case Is Sold

Currents News Staff

It’s been almost a month since Roe v. Wade was overturned and now there’s a new development for the Mississippi abortion clinic at the center of the Supreme Court case.

It’s the state’s only abortion clinic. The so-called “Pink House” was challenging a 2018 state law that bans most abortions after 15 weeks. Now the building is closed and under contract to be sold.

In a case that could very well go to the High Court, a West Virginia judge blocked enforcement of the state’s 150-year-old abortion ban on Monday. The ban makes abortion punishable by up to a decade in prison.

The judge granted the state’s only abortion provider a preliminary injunction after finding multiple conflicts and blocking the law’s enforcement with a special concern.

“Especially those who are impregnated as a result of rape or incest are already suffering irreparable harm in the absence of an injunction,” said Judge Tera Salango of the Kanawha County Circuit Court. “Defendants will suffer no injury from this injunction that it has not suffered from the prior half-century of non-enforcement.”

But Catholics are fighting back against pro-abortion laws and policies. The Catholic Medical Association is now condemning a letter sent by Health and Human Services that forces providers to perform abortions under the Emergency Medical Treatment and Active Labor Act (EMTALA).

The Co-Chair of the Association’s Ethics Committee said:

“Catholic health care agencies and providers have managed these same health crises of mother and baby consistent with EMTALA law and best practices over the decades, while respecting the health and dignity of both.”

The owner of the Pink House says she doesn’t think the building will be used as a medical facility.  However, she plans to open a new clinic in New Mexico by the middle of next week.

Pro-Life Priest Says Parish ‘Won’t Wave a White Flag’ to Protestors Over Monthly Witness for Life Marches

Currents News Staff

Abortion is still legal in New York. A monthly “Witness For Life” event has been going on for more than 10 years at Old St. Patrick’s Cathedral in Manhattan. But now, it’s taken on new meaning.

The Mass and procession takes place just down the street from the very first Planned Parenthood in the U.S. It used to be peaceful – but after the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade in late June, that’s no longer the case.

Father Brian Graebe is the pastor of Old St. Patrick’s Cathedral and he joined Currents News to discuss the changing pro-abortion climate during the rosary walks, as well as what safety precautions his parish takes to ensure no one gets hurt.

 

Catholic News Headlines for Monday, 07/18/22

A preliminary report by a Texas House Committee describes the response by authorities to the school shooting in Uvalde as confused and chaotic.

Vice President Kamala Harris compared the Supreme Court’s decision to overturn Roe v. Wade to slavery.

Pope Francis is asking for prayers ahead of his penitential pilgrimage to Canada next week.