Red Cross puts out call for platelet donors

Red Cross puts out callfor platelet donors
The Red Cross is having difficulty collecting enough blood to meet local needs.
With platelet supplies significantly below minimum inventory standards, the situation could turn into an emergency here in Northern Ohio as early as next week, officials said.
Through a special process, one donor can provide the same quantity of platelets as six people donating whole blood.
This process, called apheresis, takes about 21/2 hours and is done by appointment at the donor center.
People who are used to donating whole blood at a blood drive where the process takes about an hour are now being urged to take more time and see what it is like to be an apheresis donor.
Red Cross Donor Centers are located in downtown Cleveland, Akron, Parma and Austintown.
Call (800) 356-3339 for apheresis scheduling and information.
Palestinian speakers
LIBERTY -- The public is invited when two representatives of the Palestinian General Federation of Trade Unions will speak on "Life Under Occupation" at the Arab Community Center, 15 Belgrade Ave., at 7 p.m. today. They will speak about the economic conditions and unemployment of Palestinians living in the West Bank and Gaza Strip.
School holiday show
McDONALD -- Roosevelt Elementary School fifth- and sixth-graders will present a Christmas show with music, drama and dance Thursday at 7:30 p.m. in the McDonald High School auditorium. Donations will be accepted at the door.
SRU accreditation
SLIPPERY ROCK, Pa. -- G. Warren Smith II, president of Slippery Rock University, announced that the college of education has been granted continuing national accreditation at the initial and advanced teacher preparation levels.
Only 15 of Pennsylvania's 92 teacher preparation institutions are accredited by the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education, he said.