Local blood drive fights shortage
The American Red Cross has been grappling with a “worrying” drop in blood and platelet donations this summer, according to the organization, and donors are having to schedule an appointment to donate in August to prevent a blood shortage.
The drop in donations has meant the Red Cross blood supply has shrunk by nearly 20% in recent weeks.
Type O negative blood donors and platelet donors are particularly needed now.
“This is a worrying trend that could soon make blood products more difficult to stock on hospital shelves,” said Paul Sullivan, senior vice president of donor services at the Red Cross. “By choosing a time to donate now, donors can help increase the blood supply to those who need immediate life-saving care and to those who depend on transfusions for treatment.”
In Gilroy, a blood drive is scheduled for August 11 from 12:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Gilroy, 7999 Miller Ave.
Donors can make an appointment to donate using the Red Cross blood donation app RedCrossBlood.org or by calling 1.800.733.2767.
All who come to donate are automatically entered into a chance to win gasoline for a year. There will be three winners. Anyone who comes to donate blood or platelets in August will also receive a $10 e-gift card to a retailer of their choice.
“Campesinos” will be shown in Gilroy
Campesinos: America’s Unsung Heroes, presented by the Latino Family Fund, will screen August 11 at 6 p.m. at the CineLux Gilroy Cafe & Lounge, 6851 Monterey Road.
The documentary tells the stories of California farm workers and documents their time during the Covid-19 pandemic.
The film is produced by Silicon Valley Latino and is directed by Joe Poni.
The screening is a fundraiser to benefit ALAS, Ayudando Latinos a Soñar and Latino Family Fund.
Latino Family Fund is a subsidiary of the Gilroy Foundation.
Admission is $15. For tickets visit bit.ly/3BsHM3v.
The conversation focuses on city projects
Mayor Marie Blankley invites the public for talks and coffee on August 13 at 9:30 a.m. at the Council Chambers, 7351 Rosanna St.
This month, Blankley is joined by City Manager Jimmy Forbis for a discussion of several projects moving forward, including:
• The potential addition of an ice rink to the sports park
• The Surplus Lands Act as applicable to the lot where the ice rinks are planned
• The forthcoming ballot to amend the 1960 City Charter to update the bidding process for public projects
• Upcoming improvements to downtown lanes
• The Eigleberry and Seventh Street parking lot
To request Spanish language interpretation services for this meeting, send an email [email protected] at least 72 hours before the meeting.
Book sales return on August 13th
The Friends of Gilroy Library hosts a book sale on the second Saturday of each month from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at the library, 350 West Sixth St.
The next sale is on August 13th.
The Isabel Jewell Bookstore is open Monday through Friday from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.
The shop has many boxes of children’s literature and many books in Spanish.
Regular prices are 50 cents for paperbacks and $1 for hardcovers. Children’s books cost 25 cents and 50 cents.
Ginkel added to Palmer College’s Dean’s List
Gilroy’s Tristan Ginkel has been named to the Spring 2022 Dean’s List at the West Campus of Palmer College of Chiropractic in San Jose.
Palmer College of Chiropractic, the first and largest chiropractic college, has campuses in Davenport, Iowa; San Jose; and Port Orange, Fla.
