Many patients need a one-time blood transfusion, but the estimated 100,000 Americans with sickle cell disease face a lifetime of them. During September, National Sickle Cell Awareness Month, the American Red Cross encourages blood donations from donors of all types.

Most people with sickle cell disease are of African descent, but many are of Indian, Middle Eastern, Hispanic, Mediterranean and other descents. Because recipients are less likely to have complications from blood donated by someone with the same ethnicity, a diverse supply is important.

Sickle cell disease causes red blood cells to form an abnormal shape. Regular blood transfusions can help reduce the risks of stroke, damage to major organs and other complications. While better management of the disease has increased life expectancy in recent years, there is still no cure.

Visit redcrossblood.org or call 1-800-RED CROSS to learn more and make an appointment to donate blood for patients in need like those with sickle cell disease.

Upcoming blood donation opportunities:

Chase County

Sept. 25 from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. at ImperialBibleChurch, 800 W. 11th in Imperial, Neb.

Furnas County

Sept. 19 from 11:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. at CommunityBuilding, 722 Patterson St. in Cambridge, Neb.

Keith County

Sept. 17 from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. at OgallalaFairBuilding, 1100 W. Fifth in Ogallala, Neb.

Sept. 18 from 12-6 p.m. at OgallalaFairBuilding, 1100 W. Fifth in Ogallala, Neb.

Lincoln County

Sept. 19 from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. at American Red Cross, 1111 S. Cottonwood in North Platte, Neb.

Sept. 20 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at American Red Cross, 1111 S. Cottonwood in North Platte, Neb.

Sept. 23 from 12-6 p.m. at American Legion Hall, 108 E. Second St. in Hershey, Neb.

The state’s Child Death Review Team released its report on child deaths that occurred in 2009. A total of 237 Nebraska children died during 2009. That’s a significant decrease (35%) in the number of deaths since child death reviews began in 1993.

“The decrease in child deaths is a testimony to the hard work of parents, communities, medical providers and state and private agencies to reduce the number of risks to children,” said Dr. Joseph Acierno, Chief Medical Officer and Director of Public Health for the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services who also serves as chair of the team. “However, many child deaths were preventable so there’s more work to be done to help protect our children.”

The top five causes of death for children newborn to 17-years-old for 2009 were:

• Pregnancy- related
• Birth defects
• Motor vehicle-related incidents
• Sudden unexpected infant death
• General medical conditions

The Child Death Review Team determined 32.5 percent of the 237 deaths were preventable. Examples of preventable deaths include motor vehicle crashes and unintentional injuries.  Sudden unexpected infant death, suicide, homicide/criminal child abuse and certain medical conditions were other causes of death where team members found many preventable factors.

When examined over time, child deaths for all racial/ethnic groups showed some level of decline. After several years of increasing rates for Native American children, the 2009 rate decreased sufficiently to create a significant drop in their 10-year trend. However, White children were the only other group whose mortality decline over the past decade was statistically significant.  Disparities continue to exist and improvements related to health care and education have not reached all families.

Some of the team’s key recommendations to help prevent future deaths include:

• Promote healthy lifestyles for reproductive age women
• Improve assistance to children with disabilities and their families/caregivers
• Promote safe and supportive environments for children
• Improve the quality of the investigation and documentation of child deaths

Specific strategies for each recommendation are included in the full report.

It takes considerable time to understand a child’s life and circumstances surrounding his or her death. Reviewing child deaths is a painstaking and thorough process. Many cases are complicated and contain an enormous amount of documentation.  Besides reviewing child deaths, the team is also charged with making recommendations to help save lives.

“This work is emotionally taxing. I want to thank the team for their continued dedication. Thanks to their efforts, we now have a better understanding of how and why child deaths occur and based on that information we’re able to recommend changes that will enhance child safety and well-being and hopefully prevent future deaths,” said Dr. Acierno.

The Child Death Review Team was established by the Nebraska Legislature in 1993 to undertake a comprehensive, integrated view of existing records for all child deaths in Nebraska. Members of the team are volunteers appointed by the CEO of DHHS. Statute requires that core team members include a physician employed by DHHS, forensic pathologist, law enforcement representative, attorney, and senior staff member with DHHS’ child protective services.

The 2009 report, which includes a list of the review team members, is available at https://1.usa.gov/15Ck3L2.

A United States District Court judge has dismissed a lawsuit filed by Viaero Wireless against the city of North Platte.

At a news conference on Thursday, North Platte Mayor Dwight Livingston announced the ruling that was handed down yesterday.

According to city officials, in March of 2012, Viaero wireless submitted an application to install a 100 foot tower in the vacant lot at 4th and Willow Streets, the former location of the Presbyterian Church.

Livingston said a number of citizens expressed concern over the project and testified at public hearings with the Planning Commission and the City Council in May of 2012.  He said the citizens were concerned with the impact the tower would have on the historic value of the area, and felt the tower would be an eye sore in the neighborhood.  City Attorney Doug Stack added that residents also submitted letters in opposition.

After hearing the concerns of their constituents, the City Council denied the application with a 6-2 vote, which resulted in Viaero filing suit against the city for not allowing them to construct their tower.

The Court ruled that the city was justified in denying the application.

Livingston said, “Viaero is a valuable business here in town and we want to work with them as much as we can to help them find a location.”

Stack said he is not aware if Viaero plans to appeal the decision.

 

 

(AP) — State Auditor Mike Foley is running for Nebraska governor in the 2014 Republican primary.

Foley announced his candidacy Thursday at the Capitol, saying he will campaign on promises to respect taxpayers and make Nebraska more competitive. Foley also promised to remain outspoken in his opposition to abortion.

He was introduced by U.S. Rep. Jeff Fortenberry, a longtime friend who pointed to Foley’s experience as a public watchdog for state spending.

Foley is the fourth candidate to join a fast-growing GOP field, which is expected to keep growing. State Sens. Charlie Janssen, Tom Carlson and Beau McCoy have already entered the race. Omaha businessman and 2006 U.S. Senate nominee Pete Ricketts is also expected to enter the fray.