Health

Michigan Blood joins alliance to save money and lives

Submitted by Christa Graban, Producer

Wednesday, December 4th, 2013, 7:00am

Michigan Blood joins alliance to save money and lives

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich.—Michigan Blood is teaming up with two blood centers based to share services and cut costs.

Michigan Blood is joining the Centers for Transfusion and Transplant Medicine (CTTM). BloodCenter of Wisconsin and Chicago-based Heartland Blood Centers are already non-profit members of the alliance. Michigan Blood brings its expertise in cord blood and cell therapies to the table.

“The addition of Michigan Blood marks another milestone for CTTM to shape the future of healthcare,” according to Jacquelyn Fredrick, president and CEO of BloodCenter of Wisconsin and CTTM. “As new affiliates join the strategic alliance, greater opportunities are presented through sharing expertise and resources. This will lead to even greater transfusion medicine services for the hospital systems we serve.”

Michigan Blood serves more than 40 hospitals across the state.

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Submitted by Christa Graban, Producer

Wednesday, November 27th, 2013, 1:47pm

PLAINFIELD TOWNSHIP, Mich.—November is coming to an end which means the ‘staches are coming off!

Five executives from West Michigan have been growing mustaches for Movember, a month-long campaign to “change the face of men’s health” by raising awareness of health risks. The men have been posting their progress on Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan’s Facebook page. The final mustache photos will be posted on the Facebook page on December 2 for a public vote. Visitors can pick their top two favorite ‘staches by “liking” the appropriate photos. The vote runs from 11 a.m. to 11:59 p.m. Tuesday.

This year’s participants are:

Brian Pangle, president/CEO of Clark Retirement Community.

Thomas Haas, president of Grand Valley State University.

Jeff Lambert, president and managing partner of Lambert Edwards & Associates.

Jeff Connolly, president of West Michigan Operations & Managed Care for Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan.

Jerry Kooiman, assistant dean for external relations at Michigan State University College of Human Medicine.

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Submitted by Christa Graban, Producer

Wednesday, November 27th, 2013, 10:50am

Health Department offers free HIV/AIDS testing

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich.-- More than one million Americans are living with HIV, and many may not even know it.

In honor of World AIDS Day, the Kent County Health Department is offering free AIDS testing at four of its facilities, no appointment needed. The finger poke test takes about 20 minutes for results, which are confidential. Those who get tested will receive a gift card (while supplies last) and additional information about HIV.

Testing times and locations:

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Submitted by Christa Graban, Producer

Tuesday, November 19th, 2013, 3:00pm

East Grand Rapids to join group setting ambulance standards

EAST GRAND RAPIDS, Mich.—The standards for ambulances running in East Grand Rapids may soon change.

During its regular meeting Monday night, the city commission approved joining an ambulance consortium with other Kent County communities. The consortium would establish across-the-board ambulance service standards for all communities involved, through contracts. East Grand Rapids currently works with AMR Ambulance, but the city does not have a contract with the company.

City Manager Brian Donovan says communities that are part of the consortium will create an oversight group which will make sure all ambulance companies are abiding by contractual standards. By consolidating regulation, each community will save staff time and money.

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Greenville churches to package 20,000 meals for Thanksgiving

Submitted by Kids Against Hunger on Tuesday, November 19th, 7:00 am

GREENVILLE, Mich.-- This Saturday, 12 churches in the Greenville area will be holding a Kids Against Hunger Coalition food packing event.

The team of volunteers will be packaging 20,000 meals for hungry children and their families. Approximately 13,333 of those meals will be donated to local food pantries, with the remaining 6,667 going to victims of natural disasters as well as third world countries in dire need. The event has been organized by the Greenville Ministerial Association with the help of Thrivent Financial Services.

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Submitted by Kal Kamyszek, Part-time Blogger, Part-time Receptionist & Cook on "In the Kitchen w/Kal"

Wednesday, November 13th, 2013, 1:36pm

21st GRPS Turkey Trot 5K on Thanksgiving Day

Thursday, November 28, 2013 at 8:00am is the 21st Grand Rapids Public Schools Turkey Trot 5K Race. Doors at VanAndel Arena will open at 6:30am for packet pick-up and Day of the Race registration.

Participants can register ahead of time at: grps.org/athletics/turkeytrot at a cost of $25 thru November 26th; after that it goes to $30. You may also pick up your packets ahead of time on November 27th at Union High School located at 1800 Tremont Blvd. NW in Grand Rapids, MI 49504.

There is always a need for volunteers at such events and you can register to be one at grps.org/athletics

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