The Quad Cities Disabled American Veterans Transportation Program is in need of drivers to carry our veterans to their medical appointments at the VA Medical Center in Iowa City.

Anyone interested in driving the DAV Van to Iowa City should call Commander Tom Simmons at 563-324-6329 or Adjutant Paul Janecek at 563-386-3533 or Serivce Officer George Nickolas at 563-391-1760.

Interested drivers are advised that they can select the day(s) of the month they are available. If you have any questions about the scheduling of driving or what hours you would have to volunteer for on the day and/or days that you are willing to drive, you need to call Adjutant Paul Janecek at 563-386-3533.

PEORIA, Ill. (May 15, 2014) –The American Red Cross encourages all eligible donors to choose their day to help save lives by giving blood in honor of World Blood Donor Day.

Every year, on June 14, countries around the world celebrate World Blood Donor Day. The occasion raises awareness of the need for safe blood and blood products, and thanks voluntary blood donors for their lifesaving gifts of blood.

"World Blood Donor Day comes at a very important time each year," said Shelly Heiden, community CEO, Heart of America Blood Services Region. "Summer can be a challenging time for blood donations, with fewer donors available to donate blood due to busy summer schedules. World Blood Donor Day gives us an opportunity to highlight the need for blood during the summer months and year-round."

World Blood Donor Day occurs on day 21 of the Red Cross 100 Days of Summer. 100 Days of Hope. campaign. Heiden added that it's a perfect time for donors to help save lives and boost the blood supply for patients in need.

To learn more and make an appointment to donate blood, visit redcrossblood.org or call

1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767).

Upcoming blood donation opportunities:

Clinton County

June 4 from 12-6 p.m. at Wild Rose Casino & Resort, 777 Wild Rose Drive in Clinton, Iowa

June 12 from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. at The Alverno, 849 13th Ave. N in Clinton, Iowa

Henry County

June 11 from 2-6 p.m. at First Christian Church, 105 Dwight St. in Kewanee, Ill.

June 12 from 2-6 p.m. at American Legion, 509 N. School St. in Atkinson, Ill.

Lee County

June 4 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Sauk Valley Community College, 173 IL Route 2 in Dixon, Ill.

June 10 from 1-6 p.m. at St. Patricks Church, 612 Highland in Dixon, Ill.

Mercer County

June 2 from 3-6:30 p.m. at First Christian Church, 20th and Main St. in Keithsburg, Ill.

June 10 from 2-6 p.m. at New Windsor Presbyterian Church, 4th and Walnut in New Windsor, Ill.

Rock Island County

June 4 from 1:30-5:30 p.m. at American Red Cross, 1100 River Drive in Moline, Ill.

Whiteside County

June 4 from 2-6 p.m. at American Red Cross, 112 W. Second St. in Rock Falls, Ill.

June 5 from 9:45 a.m. to 4 p.m. at CGH Medical Center, 100 E. LeFevre Road in Sterling, Ill.

June 6 from 12-3:30 p.m. at Coventry Living Center Activity Building, 612 W. St. Mary's Road in Sterling, Ill.

June 9 from 7-11 a.m. at Sterling Anchor Coupling Inc, 2910 W. Le Fevre Road in Sterling, Ill.

June 9 from 11:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. at Prophetstown-Lyndon-Tampico CUSD #3, 79 Grove St. in Prophetstown, Ill.

June 10 from 1-6 p.m. at Robert Fulton Community Center, 912 4th St. in Fulton, Ill.

June 11 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at American Red Cross, 112 W. Second St. in Rock Falls, Ill.

How to donate blood

Simply call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) or visit redcrossblood.org 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.

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Neurosurgeon Recommends Building Muscle as
Best Protection Against 'the Disease of Aging'
Offers 5 Exercises for a Solid Strength-Building Regime

If you want good health, a long life and to feel your best well into old age, the No. 1 most important thing you can do is strength-training, says Dr. Brett Osborn, author of "Get Serious, A Neurosurgeon's Guide to Optimal Health and Fitness," www.drbrettosborn.com

"Our ability to fight off disease resides in our muscles," Dr. Osborn says. "The greatest thing you can do for your body is to build muscle."

He cites a large, long-term study of nearly 9,000 men ages 20 to 80. After nearly 19 years, the men still living were those with the most muscular strength. (BMJ, formerly British Medical Journal, 2008).

Muscle is all protein - "nothing but good for you," Dr. Osborn says.

Fat, however, is an endocrine organ, meaning it releases hormones and other chemicals. When a person has excess fat, he or she also a disrupted flow of excess biochemicals, which can increase insulin resistance and boost risk factors for stroke and high blood pressure, among other problems.

"Increased cytokines, an immune system chemical, for example, are associated with increased risk for cardiovascular disease," Dr. Osborn says. "You're only as old as your arteries!"

Strength-training has health benefits for everyone, he adds, no matter their size.

"Some fat is visceral fat - it's stored around the organs and it's even more dangerous than the fat you can see," he says. "People who look thin may actually be carrying around a lot of visceral fat."

So, what's the workout Dr. Osborn recommends?

"Back to basics," he says. "These five exercises are the pillars of a solid training regime."

•  The squat is a full-body exercise; it's the basic movement around which all training should be centered. Heavy squats generate a robust hormonal response as numerous muscular structures are traumatized during the movement (even your biceps). Standing erect with a heavy load on your back and then repeatedly squatting down will stress your body inordinately - in a good way -- forcing it to grow more muscle.

•  The overhead press primarily activates the shoulders, arm extenders and chest. Lower body musculature is also activated as it counters the downward force of the dumbbell supported by the trainee. From the planted feet into the hands, force is transmitted through the skeletal system, stabilized by numerous muscular structures, most importantly the lower back.

•  The deadlift centers on the hamstrings, buttocks, lumbar extensors and quadriceps, essentially the large muscles of your backside and the front of your thighs. As power is transferred from the lower body into the bar through the upper body conduit, upper back muscles are also stressed, contrasting with the squat, which is supported by the hands. Deadlifts are considered by some to be the most complete training exercise.

•  The bench press mostly targets the chest, shoulders and triceps; it's the most popular among weightlifters, and it's very simple - trainees push the barbell off the lower chest until the arms are straight. This motion stresses not only the entire upper body, but also the lower body, which serves a stabilizing function. This provides a big hormonal response and plenty of bang for your buck.

•  The pull-up / chin-up stress upper body musculature into the body. A pull-up is done when hands gripping over the bar; a chin-up is where hands are gripping under the bar. Nine out of 10 people cannot do this exercise because most simply haven't put in the effort. It's also been called a "man's exercise, which is nonsense," he says. There are no gender-specific exercises. Women, too, should aspire to enjoy the health benefits entailed with this pillar.

"There are no secrets to a strong and healthier body; hard work is required for the body that will remain vital and strong at any age," Osborn says. "Always practice proper form and safety. Otherwise, the result will be the opposite of your goal, an injury."

About Dr. Brett Osborn

Brett Osborn is a New York University-trained, board-certified neurological surgeon with a secondary certification in anti-aging and regenerative medicine, Diplomate; American Bard of Neurological Surgery, Diplomate; American Academy of Anti-Aging Medicine. He holds a CSCS honorarium from the National Strength and Conditioning Association. Dr. Osborn specializes in scientifically based nutrition and exercise as a means to achieve optimal health and preventing disease. He is the author "Get Serious, A Neurosurgeon's Guide to Optimal Health and Fitness," www.drbrettosborn.com.