Blood Bank challenge

Blood Bank of Delmarva has announced a partnership with three-time Olympic swimmer and world champion Elizabeth Beisel. The collaboration aims to boost donations during the summer months, particularly around the Fourth of July holiday.

Seasonal travel, school breaks and a rise in traumatic accidents during the summer months often strain the blood supply and lead to shortages. To encourage donations during this time, all donors who show up to save lives at a BBD donation location from June 23 to July 7 will receive a “Team Blood Donor” T-shirt.

The Olympian is laying down a challenge to young donors. Historically, donations from 16-24-year-olds accounted for 25% of the country’s blood supply; now, only about 10% of blood donations come from this group. Beisel is challenging young donors to become champions for blood donation.

The Food and Drug Administration recently lifted several blood donor eligibility restrictions. To view current eligibility guidelines or make an appointment, visit delmarvablood.org or call 1-888-8-BLOOD-8.

Shore Regional Health

There is a new registration process for Shore Health’s Childbirth and Parent Education programs, led by nursing team members from UM Shore Medical Center at Easton's Birthing Center.

You can still call 410-822-1000, ext. 5234, and leave a message with your name, email address, phone number, and the name(s) and date(s) of the classes for which you would like to register, or you can visit app.smartsheet.com and fill out an online registration form.

Maryland Equips

The Maryland Department of Aging and the Maryland Department of Disabilities on Friday announced a joint initiative to provide Marylanders who have mobility, medical, and accessibility needs with equipment to help them remain independent in their community.

The new collaborative initiative, Maryland Equips, aims to provide free medical equipment and assistive technology to Marylanders with any disability, illness, or injury who need additional support to remain comfortable and connected. Products available from Maryland’s Durable Medical Equipment Re-use program and High-Tech AT Reuse Center include wheelchairs​, power scooters, speech communication devices, bathroom chairs and railing, adapted computer equipment and telephones, home hospital beds, mechanical lifts, magnifiers, and eye-gaze systems, among other adaptive products and services.

Maryland Equips launched on June 22, the 25th anniversary of the Olmstead Act, which substantially advanced the rights of people with disabilities. 

For more information about the programs offered through Maryland Equips, visit aging.maryland.gov/MarylandEquips or contact Colleen Doyle at colleen.doyle@maryland.gov.

Safe Sitter courses

The University of Maryland Shore Regional Health (UM SRH) is hosting a free upcoming Safe Sitter course in partnership with the Talbot County Health Department. UM SRH is a member organization of the University of Maryland Medical System.

The course will be held from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Oct. 19, at UM Shore Medical Center at Easton’s Health Education Center, 219 South Washington St. This program will be taught by UM SRH Women and Children’s Department skilled nurses and offered to children ages 11 to 13.

The course is designed to prepare students to be safe when they are home alone, watching younger siblings or babysitting other children. The instructor-led class is taught using games and role-playing exercises so that students can practice rescue skills. The Talbot County Health Department is providing a grant to cover costs in full for the first 50 students who enroll.

To register for the course, email Gladys Peeples at Gladys.Peeples@umm.edu. Early registration is encouraged, as class size is limited. For questions, call Stephanie Blades at 410-822-1000, ext. 5234. Additional Safe Sitter dates will be offered in 2025.

Aging in place

The Maryland Department of Aging is accepting grant applications from nonprofit organizations and Area Agencies on Aging to expand Maryland’s aging-in-place programs. 

The competitive funding opportunity aligns with the Department’s commitment to empower older adults to live in the homes and communities of their choosing, regardless of age, income, or ability level. Learn more at Aging.Maryland.Gov. 

Dorchester County Health Department

If you have chronic medical conditions, need help with daily living, and are at risk of being placed in a facility for care, a state program finds services to help you stay in your home.

Go to MarylandAccessPoint,info or call 410-742-0505, ext. 109, for more information about the program. You must have Medicaid to be eligible for services.

DDA offices

Learn about the Maryland Department of Health - Developmental Disabilities Administration’s four regional offices and how its teams can help you or your loved ones with intellectual and developmental disabilities at bit.ly/3zWzpMG.