Red Cross calls for platelet and type O negative and AB blood donors

/by

DURHAM, N.C. (March 22, 2017) — The American Red Cross is issuing a call for platelet and type O negative and AB blood donors to make an appointment to give after severe winter weather in some parts of the country caused about 250 Red Cross blood drives to cancel in March, resulting in more than 8,500 uncollected blood and platelet donations.

Platelets, type O negative blood and type AB plasma are three of the most in-demand blood products by hospitals. Those who give can help patients locally or across the country as the Red Cross has the ability to move blood products where and when they are needed most.

“All blood types are needed to meet the constant need of patients, and there is a significant need now for platelet and type O negative and AB donations to help some of the most vulnerable patients,” said Denise Brookie, donor recruitment director for the Carolinas Blood Services Region. “We ask that you schedule an appointment to roll up a sleeve to help save a life in the coming days.”

Donations help patients like Brady Prosser. He was severely burned in October while mowing near burning leaves. He received regular – sometimes daily – blood and plasma transfusions during his hospitalization.

Platelets are tiny cells in blood that form clots and stop bleeding. Although they are needed for many reasons, cancer patients often rely on platelets during treatment. Platelets must be transfused within just five days after donation, making steady donations an important component of patient care. By giving platelets, donors can help patients kick cancer.

Type O negative blood can be transfused to patients with any blood type and is often needed in emergency situations when there isn’t time to determine a patient’s blood type. While less than 7 percent of the U.S. population has type O negative blood, hospitals depend on frequent O negative donations to ensure it’s always available for patients in need. Type O negative blood donors are an important part of the Red Cross trauma team.

Type AB is the universal plasma type and can be transfused to patients of any blood type in an emergency. Plasma helps maintain blood pressure and supplies critical proteins for clotting and immunity. Plasma can be donated through a blood or platelet donation, or through a plasma-only donation where available.

How to help

Eligible donors can learn more, find a donation opportunity and schedule an appointment by using the free Blood Donor App, visiting redcrossblood.org or calling 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767). A blood donor card or driver’s license or two other forms of identification are required at check-in. Individuals who are 17 years of age in most states (16 with parental consent where allowed by state law), weigh at least 110 pounds and are in generally good health may be eligible to donate blood. High school students and other donors 18 years of age and younger also have to meet certain height and weight requirements.

Blood donors can save time at their donation appointment by using RapidPass to complete their pre-donation reading and health history questionnaire online, on the day of their donation, prior to arriving at the blood drive. To get started and learn more, visit redcrossblood.org/RapidPass and follow the instructions on the site.

About the American Red Cross:

The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides emotional support to victims of disasters; supplies about 40 percent of the nation’s blood; teaches skills that save lives; provides international humanitarian aid; and supports military members and their families. The Red Cross is a not-for-profit organization that depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to perform its mission. For more information, please visit redcross.org or cruzrojaamericana.org, or visit us on Twitter at @RedCross.

###

Northern Vance students visit E.M. Rollins to help younger counterparts

/by

Vance County Schools

For Immediate Release

March 22, 2017

Northern Vance High School students visited on March 22 with students and teachers at E.M. Rollins Elementary School to lend a helping hand with reading, math and even recess.

The high school students are positive role models for their younger counterparts.

The Northern Vance students went in to all classrooms at E.M. Rollins, with the exception of the pre-kindergarten classes. They read books with the elementary students, talked about their favorite types of books and worked with them on math practice sheets, among other activities.

The special day was a partnership effort by administrators and teachers from the two schools. Many of the Northern Vance students attended E.M. Rollins during their elementary years in school.

Some of the students are shown in the accompanying photos as they work with the elementary children.

 

Networking is the Name of the Game at the Chamber’s Quarterly Membership Networking Luncheon

/by

SIT, EAT, MINGLE AND GROW YOUR BUSINESS…

Thursday, April 13

We invite you, your guests and any other business leaders who are interested in helping their business grow to come out and join us for the Chamber’s Networking luncheon.  Meet other business professionals and exchange information and ideas.

This Quarterly Membership Networking luncheon is sponsored by Benchmark Community Bank and will be featuring keynote speaker Dr. Stelfanie Williams, President, Vance-Granville Community College.  This will be a unique opportunity to find out how the college meets the needs of the business community in its strengths and weaknesses; economic development and a strong education system go hand in hand – without it our community will not attract businesses; VGCC arms our citizens with the education and experience they need to be successful in today’s workplace. A strong educational foundation opens doors for our citizens, adds value to our local economies and enriches our community. Vance-Granville Community College is one of Vance County’s most valuable resources.  Their business center is designed to serve the educational and training needs of the business community, with an emphasis on small business.

Bring plenty of business cards and get ready to make lots of new connections at our Chamber Networking Luncheon.  Our quarterly Membership Networking Luncheon is designed to facilitate conversations and connection among Chamber members.  Attendees at the luncheon will be able to strengthen business relationships, hear topical speakers and enjoy a delicious meal.  The luncheon is all about business and building relationships!

Annette Roberson said, “It’s also an excellent opportunity to showcase your business, promote your products, and find that next business partner or unexpected supplier for your business needs.  Sponsor one of our luncheons!  Exhibiting at this Member Networking Luncheon is just one way that you can connect with lots of members in one place.”

For more information, please contact Annette Roberson at annette@hendersonvance.org or call 252-438-8414.

Northern Vance Baseball vs. Orange

/by

Northern Vance Baseball vs. Orange can be heard this Friday beginning at 4:30 p.m. on HILLSBOROUGHSPORTS.COM.

NV played at Orange yesterday and fell 9-8.  There are multiple articles available on HILLSBOROUGHSPORTS.COM.

Since WIZS 1450 cannot provide the game this Friday, due to several prior programming commitments including the UNC Tar Heels vs. Butler in the NCAA Tournament starting at 6 p.m., we are promoting the fact that Northern Vance and Vance County fans can hear the baseball game online, along with the regular HILLSBOROUGHSPORTS.COM listeners.

In partnership with Jeff Hamlin of HILLSBOROUGHSPORTS.COM, Kevin Bullock of WIZS will provide the live play by play and John Rose will be the analyst and engineer.  This partnership came about because both media entities were in a position to complete the broadcast by working together.  Both HILLSBOROUGHSPORTS.COM and WIZS Radio are committed to providing professional local coverage of high school and local athletes.

(Orange Baseball Cover Photo Used With Permission)

News 03/22/17

/by

Home and Garden Show 03/21/17

/by

Jennifer Woodlief Named Maria Parham Employee of the Month

/by

Maria Parham Health has announced Jennifer Woodlief, HR Specialist in the Human Resources Department, as Employee of the Month for February. Jennifer has been employed at Maria Parham Health for almost 11 months and is already an example of an exceptional employee. Jennifer has lived in Vance County since she was eight years old and still calls this her home. Jennifer is married and she and her husband, Joe, have three children; Hunter and Madison who are nine and Bryson who is eight. After high school, Jennifer earned her Associates Degree in psychology from the University of Phoenix. . When she is not working, Jennifer enjoys watching her children play sports, photography, camping, hunting, fishing and painting.

Here’s what those who nominated Jenifer had to say about her:

“Jennifer always exemplifies exceptional customer service. Even when the HR department is super busy and a lot of people need many things from her, she is always nice, polite and courteous to everyone.”

“Jennifer is always willing to help any other department and is an exceptional team player.”

Words of wisdom from Jennifer:

“Always find the good in everything, every situation and every one.”

Thank you Jennifer for all you do for our hospital.

STEM Early High School Applications Due Next Thursday

/by

Vance County Schools

For Immediate Release

March 21, 2017

The deadline for completed applications for students to enroll in the STEM Early High School for the 2017-2018 school year is Thursday, March 30.

Current Vance County Schools students who want to apply should submit their completed applications to their school counselors by Wednesday, March 29.

Other students should submit their completed applications by March 30 to the STEM Early High School on the campus of Northern Vance High School on Warrenton Road or the school system’s Administrative Services Center on Graham Avenue in Henderson.

No late applications will be accepted.

VGCC puts Associate in Arts degree on fast track

/by

Vance-Granville Community College is introducing a new way for students to complete the first two years of a four-year degree on an accelerated timetable.

Starting with the fall semester that begins in August 2017, students will have the option to earn the 60-credit-hour Associate in Arts (College Transfer) degree in just three semesters: fall, spring and summer. Under the standard pathway currently in place, full-time students typically complete the Associate in Arts in five or six semesters (while taking courses in the summer on a part-time basis).

“The VGCC Division of Arts and Sciences is very excited to be able to offer a new accelerated pathway for the Associate in Arts,” said Cynthia Young, the college’s dean of arts and sciences. “This will allow dedicated students the ability to complete a two-year degree in just one year and quickly move on to a four-year university.”

The new pathway will be rigorous, with students taking a combination of 16-week and eight-week courses. For example, during the fall semester, students on the accelerated schedule will take two courses over the entire 16 weeks, four other courses during the first eight weeks and three others during the second eight weeks. A student would take a maximum of six courses at any one time. Only three courses would be required in the eight-week summer term.

Some required courses will be taken online, while others may be taken either online or in the traditional face-to-face format.

Students must first either complete or place out of any developmental coursework in order to complete the degree on this schedule.

The Associate in Arts (A.A.) is ideally suited for students who want to pursue bachelor’s degrees in communication, education, humanities, fine arts, languages, and social and behavioral sciences. Students in the program complete essentially the same required general education courses that they would take at most four-year universities and colleges. Graduates with an A.A. who make a grade of “C” or better in every course are assured of admission into one of the 16 universities in the University of North Carolina system, usually transferring in with junior ranking.

In the past few years, the comprehensive articulation agreements between all North Carolina community colleges, the UNC System and the private N.C. Independent Colleges and Universities have been revised with clearer pathways, simplifying the transfer of credits for both A.A. and Associate in Science (A.S.) graduates.

Registration for the fall semester at VGCC is currently ongoing, and ends on Aug. 10.

For more information on the accelerated pathway, contact Oluwunmi Ariyo at (252) 738-3270 or ariyo@vgcc.edu.

–VGCC–

Citizens Aligned to Take Back Henderson Addresses Urban Homesteading Program

/by

At a recent Henderson City Council Meeting the council voted to establish an Urban Homesteading Program pursuant to NCGS 160A-457.2. There is a possibility a few of the abandoned houses that are currently owned by the county/city could qualify for this program. The next step is to develop procedures and policies to ensure the program is administered fairly.

The statue reads as follows:

A city may establish a program of urban homesteading, in which residential property of little or no value is conveyed to persons who agree to rehabilitate the property and use it, for a minimum number of years, as their principal place of residence. Residential property is considered of little or no value if the cost of bringing the property into compliance with the city’s housing code exceeds sixty percent (60%) of the property’s appraised value on the county tax records. In undertaking such a program a city may:
(1) Acquire by purchase, gift or otherwise, but not eminent domain, residential property specifically for the purpose of reconveyance in the urban homesteading program or may transfer to the program residential property acquired for other purposes, including property purchased at a tax foreclosure sale.
(2) Under procedures and standards established by the city, convey residential property by private sale under G.S. 160A-267 and for nominal monetary consideration to persons who qualify as grantees.
(3) Convey property subject to conditions that:
a. Require the grantee to use the property as his or her principal place of residence for a minimum number of years,
b. Require the grantee to rehabilitate the property so that it meets or exceeds minimum code standards,
c. Require the grantee to maintain insurance on the property,
d. Set out any other specific conditions (including, but not limited to, design standards) or actions that the city may require, and
e. Provide for the termination of the grantee’s interest in the property and its reversion to the city upon the grantee’s failure to meet any condition so established.
(4) Subordinate the city’s interest in the property to any security interest granted by the grantee to a lender of funds to purchase or rehabilitate the property. (1987, c. 464, s. 8; 1997-456, s. 27.)

If you have questions regarding the program or the status of the procedures and policies development please contact:

City Manager, Frank Frazier at ffrazier@ci.henderson,nc.us or at 252-430-5701 or:

Development Services Director, Corey Williams at cwilliams@ci.henderson.nc.us or at 252-430-5725.