(April 1, 2015) ?The American Red Cross encourages eligible blood donors to make a difference in the lives of patients this spring by giving blood.

Donated blood is perishable and must be constantly replenished to keep up with the demand. Red blood cells, with a shelf life of only 42 days, are the most frequently transfused blood component, and are always needed by hospitals.

Eligible donors can give red cells through either a regular whole blood donation or a double red cell donation, where available. Double red cell donations yield twice the usual amount of red cells in a single appointment and are accepted at select donation locations. Double red cell donors must meet additional eligibility criteria, which will be determined at the donation appointment.

Donors with all blood types are needed, especially those with types O negative, A negative and B negative. Whole blood can be donated every 56 days, and double red cells may be donated every 112 days, up to three times per year.

To find a donation opportunity or make an appointment to give blood, download the Red Cross Blood Donor App, visit redcrossblood.org or call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767).

Upcoming blood donation opportunities

Carroll County

Mount Carroll

4/17/2015: 1 p.m. - 6 p.m., United Methodist Church, 216 S. Main Street

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Clinton County

Clinton

4/18/2015: 9 a.m. - 1 p.m., Prince of Peace Academy Grade School, 312 South 4th Street

Goose Lake

4/20/2015: 12 p.m. - 6 p.m., Northeast High School, 3690 Hwy 136

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Henry County

Galva

4/24/2015: 10 a.m. - 2 p.m., Black Hawk College - East, 26230 Black Hawk Road

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Lee County

Dixon

4/21/2015: 9:30 a.m. - 5:30 p.m., Katherine Shaw Bethea Hospital, 403 E. First Street

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Mercer County

Aledo

4/21/2015: 11:30 a.m. - 5:30 p.m., VFW Hall, 106 SW 3rd Ave.

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Scott County

Davenport

4/20/2015: 12 p.m. - 5 p.m., Christ's Family Church, 4601 Utica Ridge Road

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Whiteside County

Fulton

4/28/2015: 8 a.m. - 1 p.m., Robert Fulton Community Center, 912 4th Street

Rock Falls

4/22/2015: 10 a.m. - 2 p.m., American Red Cross, 112 W. Second St.

4/29/2015: 2 p.m. - 6 p.m., American Red Cross, 112 W. Second St.

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How to donate blood

Simply download the American Red Cross Blood Donor App, visit redcrossblood.org or call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) to make an appointment or for more information. All blood types are needed to ensure a reliable supply for patients. 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 (16 with parental consent in some states), 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.

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. The Red Cross is supported in part through generous financial donations from the United Way. For more information, please visit redcross.org or visit us on Twitter at @RedCross.

Clinton, IA (April 1, 2015) - Distinguished community members, business leaders and generous citizens will drop everything that they are doing on Tuesday, April 7 to read one of their favorite children's books to area school children.  The activity is part of the United Way of Clinton County, Iowa's Drop Everything and Read (D.E.A.R.) week.

Firefighters, public safety officers, mentors, business leaders and others will read a book to elementary students at Eagle Heights, Jefferson and Whittier Elementary schools in an effort to raise awareness of the importance of reading in everyone's lives.  Reading out loud at least 20 minutes a day cultivates listening skills, improves spelling, expands vocabulary, improves diction and expression, improves visual memory and is the best exercise you can do to improve your mind.

"Reading out loud is a great way to sharpen your focus and theirs," says Big Brothers Big Sisters of Clinton's Executive Director Kellie Hillis.  "We've got a handful of excited and eager readers lined-up and could always use more."  If you would like to volunteer a few minutes or an hour to read to children on April 7, please email director@bbbsclinton.org.

This activity is just one of the many activities planned through United Way of Clinton County, Iowa and its partner agencies during Drop Everything And Read Week April 6-12.  For more information on all the activities, please visit the United Way of Clinton County, Iowa's Facebook page.

CONWAY 28528, SC (04/01/2015)(readMedia)-- Kelsey Birdsell, of Moline, IL, has been elected Vice President of Public Relations of the Student Government Association at Coastal Carolina University for the 2015-2016 academic year.

Coastal Carolina University is a dynamic, public comprehensive liberal arts institution located in Conway, just minutes from the resort area of Myrtle Beach, S.C. The University offers 67 areas of study toward the baccalaureate degree and seven master's degree programs in accountancy, business administration, education, marine and wetland studies, and writing. The University is offering its first Ph.D. program, in marine science, in fall 2014.

More than 9,900 students from across the country and the world interact with a world-class faculty, and enjoy a nationally competitive NCAA I athletic program, an inspiring cultural calendar, and a tradition of community interaction that is fueled by more than 180 student clubs and organizations.

Coastal Carolina University was founded in 1954 as Coastal Carolina Junior College and became an independent state university in 1993.

Learn more: http://www.coastal.edu/

^{MOUNT CARROLL, IL -- Timber Lake Playhouse, the professional theatre company in Mount Carroll, in collaboration with Timber Lake Resort and Campground will present a one night only performance of the nationally renowned Felix and Fingers Dueling Pianos Show at the playhouse on Saturday, May 9th. The performance will begin at 7:00 p.m., with cash bar opening at 6:30. Tickets are $20 and are available April 1st online and through the TLP box office.}

^{Henry's Double K in Mount Carroll will be taking separate reservations for a pre-show all you can eat buffet at the restaurant that evening. The $15 buffet will include roast pork, chicken breasts, cheesy potatoes, vegetable, salad bar, rolls and coffee. Contact Henry's Double K at 815-244-0810 for more information. Sievert's Steaks & Stuff in Mount Carroll will offer 10% off pizzas between 4:30 and 5:30 p.m.}

^{Felix and Fingers began in 2010 when Dave Radford and Mike Potts came together to create their own unique take on dueling pianos. Dave have recently been a top ten male finalist on American Idol, and Mike had spent several years touring the world as a musician on cruise ships. Since 2010, they have grown from playing the Chicagoland area to playing venues throughout the entire country.}

^{Timber Lake Playhouse's 54th Summer Season officially begins June 4th with the Tony Award winning musical Hairspray. The Felix and Fingers show is part of a pre-season kick-off that also includes the Lena! Las Vegas Casino Night on Saturday, April 18th from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.}

^{The Casino Night event will take place at The Rafters in Lena, IL. Tickets are $50 and include the Cheezer's Palace Mac & Cheese Bar, roving appetizers, a starting purse, chances to win prizes, and access to gaming tables. Table games are provided by U. S. Poker and Casino Parties of Bensonville and will include blackjack, craps, roulette and Texas hold'em.}

^{For tickets to either of the TLP kick-off events, contact the playhouse at 815-244-2035, visit the website at www.timberlakeplayhouse.org, or stop by our office at 8216 Black Oak Rd. in Mount Carroll Monday through Friday between 10:30 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. Timber Lake Playhouse is located at 8215 Black Oak Rd. in Mount Carroll. The Rafters is located at 9426 W. Wagner Rd. in Lena.}

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