Take the Test; Take Control

Did you know that Friday, June 27^th is National HIV testing day?

The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) is urging people to “Take the Test; Take Control.” According to the CDC, black women, more than any other women in the United States are getting HIV. Of all the women in the United States, 66% are African American and 87% of these women got HIV from unprotected sex with a man. 

The Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) occurs when the body is unable to clear the virus as it does with common flu viruses.  Once you get HIV, you have it for life, because it attacks your CD4 cells or T-cells.  These cells are responsible for helping the body fight against disease and infection. Once HIV weakens and destroys your cells, it weakens the immune system. 

Without treatment, a person with HIV can develop Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS).  AIDS is the final stage of HIV. 

How do you get HIV?

Having unprotected sex is the number one way that women get HIV.  The truth about unprotected sex is that if you have had unprotected sex (anal, vaginal or oral) you may be at risk for HIV. 

You can also acquire HIV by sharing needles, syringes, or other injection equipment with someone who is HIV positive. 

HIV can also be spread through pregnancy from the mother to the baby during birth or through breastfeeding. 

Why is it important to be tested for HIV?

Finding out that you are HIV positive can help you live longer if it is caught early.  Remember, you can screen positive for HIV and feel perfectly healthy.  Treatments are available if the HIV is detected early and can help you live a longer, healthier life.

If you know that you are HIV positive, you will be able to look out for yourself and those you love.

Finally, it’s fast, easy and confidential!

What does the HIV test screen?

The test measures the antibodies, special proteins in the body.  Most people will show affected antibodies in 2-8 weeks after exposure, but for some it takes longer.  The CDC recommends that if you lead a lifestyle that may put you at risk, that you get tested every three months.

If you would like to be tested, The Medical Foundation offers HIV testing at all of our locations.  To view a list of our hours and locations click here.  An appointment is not necessary. Take the Test; Take Control.

Fallen Officer Blood Drive is Thursday in Mishawaka

Over thirty-five strangers saved the life of RayWolfenbarger on a cold December night back in 2001.  It’s a day his wife, and mother of daughter Bailee, will probably never forget.

Wolfenbarger, a South Bend Police Officer, was shot three times while making a routine traffic stop. He was wearing a bullet proof vest; however, he lost over 35 units of blood during surgery and needed several more in the days that followed. 

Today, some may notice his limp or that he walks with a cane, but it rarely slows him down and hasn’t stopped him from cheering loudly at his daughter’s sporting events.  Every milestone is a precious one and time with family isn’t taken for granted.

Ray’s well aware of the importance of blood donations and that if it weren’t for those 35+ people who walked through the door at The Medical Foundation to donate, he wouldn’t be here today.  And it’s that reason that he donates his time and helps plan the Fallen Officer Blood Drive each year at the South Bend and Mishawaka Police Departments.

Last week, the South Bend Police Department hosted their blood drive and 73 people, officers and civilians, gave of their time and a unit of blood to show their support for the families of those who have lost loved ones to violence.

On Thursday, June 26^th, Gary Roberts, will spend time thanking blood donors who show up at the Mishawaka Police Department for their gift of blood. Gary’s brother, Corporal Tom Roberts, and fellow officer, Bryan Verkler were both shot and killed while responding to a dispute in Mishawaka in December of 2003. 

Since his brother’s death, Gary has been active in Project Blue Light, a nationwide recognition of those Police Officers who have died in the line of duty.  He’s also been active in the Mishawaka Police Department Blood Drive honoring fallen officers.

This year, Gary will donate his 24^th unit in memory of his brother.

Fallen Officer Blood Drives are held in all 92 Indiana counties and was started by Janice Starnes, whose husband, Daniel, died in the line of duty in 2001.  During the Medical Foundation Fallen Officer Blood Drives we remember the families of officers who died in the line of duty including the families of Thomas DeRue, Sr., Paul Deguch, Scott Severns, Nick Polizzotto, Tom Roberts, Bryan Verkler, Jim Szuba and his K9 Ricky.

If you would like to donate blood, visit the MishawakaPolice Station located at 200 North Church Street in Mishawaka on Thursday, June 26^th from 10am until 4pm. To make an appointment, visit www.GiveBloodNow.com.  If you cannot donate during those times, visit The Medical Foundation locations on Lafayette Boulevard in South Bend, Edison and Main in Mishawaka or at the Elkhart General Hospital. 

Foundation Employee Katie Williams Represents Indiana at Special Olympics

 

Katie Williams has been an employee of The MedicalFoundation for almost a year now, helping blood donors in the post donation room with juice and refreshments. She outgoing, she’s helpful and she’s a gold medal winner.

Katie participates in the Special Olympics and earned gold in swimming in the Special Olympics during the World Games in Greece.  This week, she will be representing Indiana at the Special Olympics in Princeton, New Jersey when she swims in the Freestyle and Backstroke events.

“My goal is to come back with a medal.  If I come back with a gold it will definitely change my life,” said Katie.

She talked about her coach, Nathan Piwowar, who has helped her excel and his guidance has meant the world to her.  He’s stood by her and encouraged her to do her best, which is exactly what she’ll do when she hits the water this week.

Katie, 35, has spent this year balancing practices with her work at the Foundation.  She wants to do it all!  She practices at Knollwood Country Club or the University of Notre Dame for about an hour, five nights a week. Tuesday and Thursdays she spends about five hours during the day helping blood donors. 

“Katie’s so eager to learn new things.  She likes to stay busy and likes the interaction with our donors,” said Laura Broadstreet, Manager of Blood Donor Services at The Medical Foundation.

If you’ve ever seen her perform her job at the Foundation, you know she’s happy to be there.

“I love the people.  The staff gives me a great opportunity and I love being around professional people.  I call it my happy place,” said Katie.

And this week, her co-workers are being her, rooting for Katie to achieve another gold medal. But even if she doesn’t, Katie is, “excited to see my old friends from Greece and I’ll be representing the State of Indiana on a very high note.  It’s like living the dream,” she said.

If you would like to tune in to watch the Special Olympics, Fox Sports Network is the sponsor and will be conducting interviews and showing various competitions on their station throughout the week.

"Safe Blood for Saving Mothers" is theme for World Blood Donor Day

Is blood something we take for granted? It flows through our body without any thought, and most of the time when we fall and get hurt we don’t worry about needing blood to replenish our system.  If something tragic happens and blood is needed, it seems as though there is an endless source available at any local hospital.

But is it?

In the United States only volunteers are able to donate blood products for those in need of transfusions. The Federal DrugAdministration (FDA) prohibits blood banks who transfuse blood into patients from rewarding donors will anything of monetary value or anything that is considered hard to get such as concert tickets to a sold out venue.  They’ve deemed these rewards as being too high in value which may cause donors to lie about their eligibility as a donor. Therefore, blood donor centers must rely on the generosity of volunteers and often we try and show our appreciation with drawings or gift cards.

While there are some volunteers, these statistics may alarm you.  Approximately 38% of the population is eligible donate blood.  Yet of that 38% percent only 5% will actually donate blood. So it’s not an endless resource, it is one that blood banks struggle year round to collect from the general population.

On Friday, June 14^th, the World HealthOrganization (WHO) will Celebrate World Blood Donor Day.  This year’s theme is “Safe Blood for Saving Mothers.”  The organization’s goal is to bring awareness around the world that everyday about 800 women die from childbirth or pregnancy related complications.  Timely access to safe blood is very important.  Luckily, in the United States, there is a better handle on having safe blood readily available than in other parts of the world. 

Samantha Robbins, a South Bend resident, knows all too well the importance of having safe blood on hand during unexpected times of need. On October 26, 2011, she gave birth at Saint Joseph Regional Hospital to her son, Ashton.  Several years prior, she had another little boy, Austin, without any problems.  As a young, 22-year-old mother, she was healthy, in good shape and anxiously awaiting meeting her second son. 

But this wasn’t any ordinary delivery.  Samantha, now a CNA at Saint Joseph RegionalMedical Center, began losing blood quickly while delivering Ashton.  She was transfused with six lifesaving units of blood.  Her mother, Cristie Carter, recalled that while being in the delivery room she wasn’t sure about the status of her daughter. Her color had turned a bluish-gray and while everyone was worrying about the stress the delivery was having on the baby, Cristie was worried about her daughter.

It was that day that Cristie realized how important blood donations were to others. She’s made an effort to donate blood since then so that others have the available units they need to survive.

Today, Samantha has fully recovered and Ashton is a thriving two-year-old.  There’s no doubt that when Austin gets a little older, he’ll be thankful for the six people who walked into The Medical Foundation to donate blood so that he and his brother could be raised by their mother.

While days like World Blood Donor Day are important to celebrate, it’s important to remember to donate blood all year long.  Blood donors are eligible to donate a unit of blood every 56 days and blood products such as platelets every two weeks.

Visit www.GiveBloodNow.com to learn more about the blood donation process, our hours and locations or to make an appointment.

Visit The Medical Foundation at this week's IRHA Conference

Several members of The Medical Foundation team are packing up and heading south for a few days and we hope you will stop at our booth during the Indiana Rural Health Association’s 17^th Annual Rural Health Conference. 

“All Aboard for Rural Health” is held on June 10^th and 11^th at the Crowne Plaza Union Station in Indianapolis.

Stop at The Medical Foundation’s booth (#40) to see Carrie Robinson, Director of Regional Marketing, and Mary Swift, Manager of Regional Marketing.  If you have any questions about our laboratory operations or would like information about what The Medical Foundation has to offer, Carrie and Mary will be able to help! Christina Tembo, Manager of Blood Donor Recruitment, will also be on hand to answer any questions you may have about blood products.

Tom Liddell, The Foundation’s Vice President of Information Systems is also gearing up for the Indiana Rural Health Association’s conference because he will taking center stage and speaking to conference attendees about Meaningful Use as he and Tim Roberts give the presentation, “Making Stage 2 Meaningful Use Really Meaningful: A Closer Look at PHRs and Transitions of Care.”

You can hear Tom and Tim present their presentation on June 10^th from 1:30pm until 2:15pm in the New York Central room at the Crowne Plaza Union Station.

IRHA’s annual conference brings together physicians, nurses, pharmacists, public health professionals and other rural health practitioners and advocates with residents of rural communities. It is an opportunity for those in the healthcare field to share experiences with each other and to learn more from national experts who will be discussing various topics.  For more information on the conference visit http://www.indianaruralhealth.org/main/annual-conference/