Posts with tag 'Giving Back'

The Ohio state flower is the carnation, but there are plenty of other beautiful flowers adding their colors to life throughout the state. One of them is the daffodil. Also known as the narcissus, the daffodil has been a symbol of rebirth for thousands of years because it's one of the first flowers seen every spring.

Realtor Jim Camp of Cutler Real Estate wanted to find a way to honor the nearly 800,000 Americans who have perished due to the COVID-19 pandemic. That figure includes nearly 27,000 Ohioans

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Could you spare a pint of blood for those in need throughout Columbus?

Believe it or not, you can "bleed" for a good cause without any pain or discomfort. In fact, a few minutes sitting on a comfortable chair is all that's needed to save a number of lives. Donating blood is one of the easiest, yet most selfless acts that you can do. If you've never donated blood before or haven't in a few years, now is the perfect time to perform such a heroic deed.

June 14th, 2020, is World Blood Donor Day. Organized by the World Health Organization, World Blood Donor Day is an annual event designed to raise awareness and spread education about the many benefits of blood donation. This international celebration unites us all in a quest to preserve the wellbeing of our communities with the life-saving gift of blood.

World Blood Donor Day began in 2004 in an attempt to raise awareness of the need for safe, clean blood, as well as to recognize the many selfless donors who voluntarily save the lives of thousands by simply donating their blood a few times each year.

Why are Blood Donations so Vital?

 

 

 

 

 

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A post shared by Vincenzo D'Anniballe (@vincype) on Jan 11, 2018 at 12:48pm PST

Think about how much any donation can impact a community. A few dollars can feed a person struggling with homelessness, a few donated clothing can help a family, and a few hours of volunteering can benefit countless members of our society. While time, money, and effort can go a long way in helping our fellow neighbors, blood donations can make quite an impact in ways that we may not even realize.

Like other donations, blood donations are used in a variety of ways. In some cases, donated blood is used in planned medical treatments such as blood transfusions. Donated blood is also used to facilitate urgent medical interventions, such as when an individual has lost a significant volume of their own blood due to an accident, injury, or natural disaster.

What many individuals, even some donors, don't know is that blood is also used for healthcare in other, long-term ways. Many blood donations are saved in a blood bank for future use while others are sent overseas to countries that do not have safe or sufficient quantities of blood. Blood plasma donations can also be used for other medical treatments.

Facts About Blood Donations

 

 

 

 

 

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A post shared by Red Cross Central/Southern OH (@buckeyeredcross) on Jun 17, 2019 at 10:05am PDT

When you donate blood, every drop counts. While it may seem odd to think that something every human has is in short supply around the world, the reality is that there are thousands if not millions of men, women, and children across the globe that cannot obtain the clean, safe blood that they desperately need to restore their health. Here are a few vital facts about blood donations that we believe you should know:

• A single blood donation can save as many as three lives.
  
  
• Every two seconds, someone in the United States needs a blood donation.
  
  
• 62 percent of the population is ineligible to donate blood.
  
  
• Type O blood is the most requested blood by hospitals, because Type O negative can be given to all blood types, but only 7 percent of the population in the United States are Type 0 negative.
  
  
• Blood cannot be manufactured artificially; it must be donated from volunteers.
  
  
• Over 117 million blood donations are collected around the world each year.
  
  
• Over 65 countries collect less than 10 donations per 1,000 people.
  
  
• Blood transfusions account for 75 percent of adults over the age of 65 in high-income countries.
  
  
• Nearly 80 countries around the world rely on voluntary unpaid blood donations for 90-100 percent of their blood supply.
  
  
• Blood transfusions account for 52 percent of children under the age of 5 in low-income countries.

Frequently Asked Questions About Blood Donations

 

 

 

 

 

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A post shared by Nimisha Bajaj (@thenimster) on Apr 2, 2020 at 8:50am PDT

Would you like to learn more about donating blood? Here are a few frequently asked questions prospective donors inquire about via the American Red Cross:

• How old do I need to be to give blood?
  Most states require a donor be 17 years of age or older, but some states do allow 16-year-old individuals to donate with parental consent.
  
  
• How often can I donate blood?
  A donor may donate blood at most once every 8 to 16 weeks.
  
  
• Does donating blood hurt?
  When the needle is inserted into your arm, you may feel a quick, small pinch.
  
  
• When will my body regenerate my blood?
  While your red blood cells require around six weeks to regenerate, your plasma will regenerate within one day.
  
  
• How long does a blood donation take?
  On average, the actually donating process takes around 10 minutes. However, the registration process and recovery process will add time to your visit. Budget around one full hour to complete the full process.

June Blood Drives Around Columbus

Saturday, June 13, 2020

• Polaris Fashion Place
  1540 Polaris Parkway, Columbus, OH 43240

Sunday, June 14, 2020

• New Life Church
  3690 N. Stygler Rd., Gahanna, OH 43230

Monday, June 15, 2020

• American Red Cross
  995 E. Broad St., Columbus, OH 43205

Tuesday, June 16, 2020

• Mount Carmel New Albany Surgical Hospital
  7277 Smiths Mill Rd., New Albany, OH 43054

Friday, June 19, 2020

• Molina Healthcare
  3000 Corporate Exchange Dr., Columbus, OH 43231

Note that many locations may require signup prior to donating, but these blood donation events are far from the only opportunities for donation. Nearly every day of the year, there's a way for you to donate blood around the Columbus area. There are also a number of blood buses that schedule frequent stops at popular locations such as shopping plazas, community centers, and school campuses.

Be a Life Saver

Have you ever donated blood before? Tell us about your experience in the comments below and give other donors the support and advice you think will help make their experience as positive as possible.

COVID-19, typically referred to as the coronavirus, has impacted every aspect of our daily lives. Social distancing and quarantine-appropriate behavior have forced many of us to work, study, and spend all of our free time at home. Even with plans to begin re-opening the state in May, the CDC is still encouraging all individuals to wear protective masks when in public. Our healthcare workers, emergency personnel, and other essential workers have an even greater need for personal protective equipment (PPE).

At Cutler Real Estate, we consider the health and wellbeing of our family members, friends, and neighbors throughout the community to be a top priority. In these unprecedented times, we must come together and do our part to reduce the risk of spreading the coronavirus around Columbus. By making, wearing, and donating homemade masks, we can decrease our chances of spreading or contracting this virus.

The Importance of Masks in Fighting COVID-19

The coronavirus is a microscopic virus that is small enough to pass through nearly all facial coverings. However, when someone infected sneezes or coughs, the virus attaches itself to water molecules before leaving the body. Facial coverings made of nearly any fabric can effectively contain these water molecules, essentially providing a significant element of protection that everyone has immediate access to.

The masks that are most effective at preventing the spread of coronavirus are N95 surgical and procedure masks, which are typically used in healthcare settings. Although these forms of PPE are available for the public to purchase, government officials are asking that these masks only be reserved for healthcare workers who are constantly at risk of coming in contact with infected individuals. However, all other non-medical individuals can create homemade face masks to wear or donate to others in need.

How to Make a Homemade Mask Without a Sewing Machine

For a quick and easy no-sew way to make an effective mask using materials in your home, refer to these instructions provided by the Center for Disease Control.

Steps for a Bandana Face Mask

1. Fold a square bandana in half.
   
   
2. Fold the top down to the center and the bottom up to the center.
   
   
3. Feed the folded bandana through two rubber bands or hair ties.
   
   
4. Fold the ends of the bandana to the middle and tuck them into the bands.
   
   
5. Place the mask across your mouth and hook the bands around your ears.

Steps for a T-Shirt Face Mask

1. Cut across the stomach of a t-shirt roughly 7-8 inches from the bottom.
   
   
2. Cut a rectangle out horizontally in the center of the shirt about 6-7 inches in.
   
   
3. Cut the edges of the open side to make tie strings.
   
   
4. Tie one of the tie strings around your neck and the other around the top of your head so that the cloth covers your nose and mouth.

How to Sew a Homemade Mask

If you're interested in sewing your own mask, the CDC also offers guidelines. For this task, you'll need a sewing machine, scissors, a needle and thread, two pieces of elastic-like rubber bands or hair ties, and two pieces of cotton fabric measuring 10"x6".

1. Cut the 10"x6" fabric pieces out of a large cloth such as bed sheets or blankets.
   
   
2. Place them together and fold over the long sides ¼" then hem. Fold the fabric over ½" over the shorter sides and stitch them down.
   
   
3. Thread the elastic through the openings on the wide side and tie each side in a knot to create ear holes.
   
   
4. Place the mask over your nose and mouth, adjusting as needed.

Keep these tips in mind when using homemade cloth masks:

• The mask should fit snuggly without restricting your breathing.
• They should be made of multiple layers of fabric.
• They can be washed and dried in the washing machine and dryer without incurring damage.

Columbus Donation Locations

If you have the time and materials, please consider making extra homemade masks to donate to those in need. Here are a few organizations around Columbus that are accepting donations of PPE.

• The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center
  410 W. 10th Ave., Columbus, OH 43210
  
  

   

   

   

   

   

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  A post shared by OhioStateIMRes (@ohiostateimres) on Apr 18, 2020 at 1:40pm PDT

  
  The OSU Wexner Medical Center is accepting donations of unopened medical items such as hand sanitizer, gloves, gowns, shoe covers, and N95 masks at their donation center.
  
  
• Mount Carmel Health Corporate Service Center
  6150 East Broad St., Columbus, OH 43213
  
  

   

   

   

   

   

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  A post shared by Mount Carmel Health System (@mountcarmelhealth) on Apr 7, 2020 at 3:30pm PDT

  
  Mount Carmel is currently accepting unopened medical supplies, including N95 masks, gowns, gloves, hand sanitizer, and sanitizer wipes.
  
  
• OhioHealth Columbus Donation Center
  830 Kinnear Rd., Columbus, OH 43212
  
  

   

   

   

   

   

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  A post shared by OhioHealth (@ohiohealth) on Apr 10, 2020 at 7:37pm PDT

  
  OhioHealth is currently accepting donations medical equipment, including medical coveralls, face shields, disposable lab coats, catheters, HEPA filters, and exam gloves, as well as hand-sewn masks and headbands.
  
  
• Franklin County Emergency Management and Homeland Security
  5300 Strawberry Farms Blvd., Columbus, OH 43230
  
  

   

   

   

   

   

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  A post shared by Leah (@adeleah.studio) on Apr 13, 2020 at 2:41pm PDT

  
  FCEM&HS is accepting medical PPE like surgical masks, viral swabs, gowns, and gloves, as well as handmade masks donations.  
  
  
• YWCA of Columbus Ohio
  65 South Fourth St., Columbus, OH 43215
  
  

   

   

   

   

   

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  A post shared by YWCA Columbus (@ywcacbus) on Apr 7, 2020 at 8:58am PDT

  
  The YWCA of Columbus is seeking donations of medical disposable face masks, disposable gloves, and hand sanitizer in addition to their traditionally requested needs.
  
  
• Ohio Department of Health
  246 N. High St., Columbus, OH 43215
  
  

   

   

   

   

   

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  A post shared by Ohio Department of Health (@ohiodepartmentofhealth) on Mar 21, 2020 at 8:33am PDT

  
  The Ohio DOH is accepting donations of vital medical equipment as well as any other services or resources that can be offered to assist the state and benefit all Ohioans.

Helping Frontline Workers

If you know of any other healthcare or frontline facilities accepting donations of homemade masks or other critical PPE, please let us know in the comments below.

What is a Karma Keg?

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