Community Blood Bank to honor donors at upcoming event
Those who do good deeds don't always get the recognition they deserve. When it comes to donating blood, a local blood bank wants to make sure that they do.
The Community Blood Bank of Northwest Pennsylvania and Western New York is hosting the 7th Annual Donor Appreciation Day on Friday, May 16, from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. at their donor center at 2646 Peach St.
UPMC Hamot honored with Beacon Awards for Excellence
The theme for this year's celebration is 'Support Local.' There will be food trucks and live music throughout the day to emphasize the theme and enhance the celebration. There will also be games and giveaways. All are welcome to partake in this celebration.
Donors in attendance, whether or not they are donating that day, will receive a CBB tote bag, popcorn from PopLuck, five raffle tickets, a food truck voucher, and Smiley's Ice Cream.
Over 60K pounds of food donated during 2025 Stamp Out Hunger food drive
One donor will receive the 2025 Ed Althof Commitment to Community Award, named for a man who has donated over 60 gallons of blood in the Erie area during his lifetime. The award will be given at 6:30 p.m.
People who donate blood to the CBB are helping the Erie area directly. According to the CBB website, 'The Community Blood Bank of NWPA & WNY supplies blood and blood products to 19 hospitals and 7 Stat MedEvac bases throughout Northwest Pennsylvania and Western New York.'
For more information on the CBB, click here.
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Indianapolis Star
3 days ago
- Indianapolis Star
'More than a hero': Man drowns while trying to save child in Tennessee
A 31-year-old man died while trying to save a young child at risk of being swept away in a river in Tennessee. Thaddeus Smiley, 31, was among a group of 11 people hanging out on a sandbar in the middle of Wolf River in Memphis just before 2 p.m. May 30, when a child started struggling to swim, prompting Smiley and another man to jump into the water to save the child, Shelby County Sheriff's Office Chief Deputy Anthony Buckner said in a press conference. While the child and the other rescuer made it out of the water uninjured, Smiley wasn't as fortunate and got caught up in the current. A search and rescue operation involving more than 100 first responders and volunteers was launched and continued for three days over the weekend before Smiley's body was eventually located about half a mile from where he went into the water on June 1. Six boat teams from multiple agencies and three drone teams were deployed in the search operation that covered over 8 miles of the river from Walnut Grove to Hollywood overpass, while Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency patrolled the river with three sonar teams scanning the riverbed using specialized equipment. A sheriff's office dive team was also engaged in the operation, which was challenging and dangerous due to the current moving at about six miles an hour, Buckner said. Buckner, in a follow-up press conference, after Smiley's body was located, said the sheriff's office has launched an investigation into his death and that "detectives will be going over statements, what occurred before this incident happened, so we can piece together all that happened and provide some additional closure for the Smiley family." Smiley was the nephew of Memphis City Councilman JB Smiley Jr. "We wanted my nephew to come back to us safely more than anything in the world," JB Smiley Jr. said at the June 1 press conference. "We didn't get the result we wanted, but we got something that was deeply important to every single person that uses the Smiley name. Our family member, our beloved Thaddeus Smiley, is back with us. He's no longer in the river. We know exactly where he is." Shelby County Mayor Lee Harris, in a statement, lauded Smiley for his bravery, calling him "a hero in every sense of the word." "He was an incredible young man, someone with the type of courage we should also wish we could emulate," he added. "My prayers are with the Smiley family." Smiley's family has set up a GoFundMe page to cover funeral and memorial expenses, and to support the family "during this painful time." The GoFundMe, set up by Javarious Smiley, on behalf of the Smiley family, noted Thaddeus "made the ultimate sacrifice while trying to save our 10-year-old nephew who was struggling in the waters of the Wolf River." "Without hesitation, he dove in to help — because that's who he was. Brave. Selfless. Compassionate," the GoFundMe said. "Thaddeus was more than a hero that day — he was a loving brother, a son, a friend, and a beacon of light in our lives. He showed us what true courage looks like." The GoFundMe with a goal of $6.5K had raised more than $4,000 as of June 4. "Thaddeus's legacy of love, strength, and sacrifice will never be forgotten," the GoFundMe said. "Help us honor him the way he deserves." Buckner, during the press conference, also stressed on the dangers of Wolf River and the importance of teaching young people to swim. "I want to take this opportunity to speak about water safety," Buckner said. "We know this time of year, families, particularly children, are involved in a lot of different water activities, so we want to encourage parents to start making some decisions about lessons." Buckner urged the public to wear appropriate swimming gear such as life-saving vests to avoid such incident and highlighted the dangers of the Wolf River. "The Wolf River is very unpredictable for the most experienced people," Buckner said. "We want parents to take this opportunity to have serious conversations and make critical decisions about water safety, and the right or appropriate equipment where you going to be out on the water." The deputy added: "Not a single person who been recovered out of Wolf River since 2013 has been wearing a life jacket. So, our plea to the public (is) anytime you are around swift or unfamiliar water, such as the Wolf River, bring some type of life saving jackets."
USA Today
3 days ago
- USA Today
'More than a hero': Man drowns while trying to save child in Tennessee
'More than a hero': Man drowns while trying to save child in Tennessee Show Caption Hide Caption Essential water safety tips Learn essential water safety tips to ensure a fun and safe summer for the whole family. A 31-year-old man died while trying to save a young child at risk of being swept away in a river in Tennessee. Thaddeus Smiley, 31, was among a group of 11 people hanging out on a sandbar in the middle of Wolf River in Memphis just before 2 p.m. May 30, when a child started struggling to swim, prompting Smiley and another man to jump into the water to save the child, Shelby County Sheriff's Office Chief Deputy Anthony Buckner said in a press conference. While the child and the other rescuer made it out of the water uninjured, Smiley wasn't as fortunate and got caught up in the current. A search and rescue operation involving more than 100 first responders and volunteers was launched and continued for three days over the weekend before Smiley's body was eventually located about half a mile from where he went into the water on June 1. Six boat teams from multiple agencies and three drone teams were deployed in the search operation that covered over 8 miles of the river from Walnut Grove to Hollywood overpass, while Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency patrolled the river with three sonar teams scanning the riverbed using specialized equipment. A sheriff's office dive team was also engaged in the operation, which was challenging and dangerous due to the current moving at about six miles an hour, Buckner said. Buckner, in a follow-up press conference, after Smiley's body was located, said the sheriff's office has launched an investigation into his death and that "detectives will be going over statements, what occurred before this incident happened, so we can piece together all that happened and provide some additional closure for the Smiley family." Smiley was the nephew of Memphis City Councilman JB Smiley Jr. "We wanted my nephew to come back to us safely more than anything in the world," JB Smiley Jr. said at the June 1 press conference. "We didn't get the result we wanted, but we got something that was deeply important to every single person that uses the Smiley name. Our family member, our beloved Thaddeus Smiley, is back with us. He's no longer in the river. We know exactly where he is." This has been an incredibly difficult time for my family. I'm heartbroken to share that the body of my nephew, Thaddeus... Posted by JB Smiley Jr. on Sunday, June 1, 2025 'A hero in every sense' Shelby County Mayor Lee Harris, in a statement, lauded Smiley for his bravery, calling him "a hero in every sense of the word." "He was an incredible young man, someone with the type of courage we should also wish we could emulate," he added. "My prayers are with the Smiley family." Family sets up memorial Smiley's family has set up a GoFundMe page to cover funeral and memorial expenses, and to support the family "during this painful time." The GoFundMe, set up by Javarious Smiley, on behalf of the Smiley family, noted Thaddeus "made the ultimate sacrifice while trying to save our 10-year-old nephew who was struggling in the waters of the Wolf River." "Without hesitation, he dove in to help — because that's who he was. Brave. Selfless. Compassionate," the GoFundMe said. "Thaddeus was more than a hero that day — he was a loving brother, a son, a friend, and a beacon of light in our lives. He showed us what true courage looks like." The GoFundMe with a goal of $6.5K had raised more than $4,000 as of June 4. "Thaddeus's legacy of love, strength, and sacrifice will never be forgotten," the GoFundMe said. "Help us honor him the way he deserves." Authorities urge public to be careful around Wolf River Buckner, during the press conference, also stressed on the dangers of Wolf River and the importance of teaching young people to swim. "I want to take this opportunity to speak about water safety," Buckner said. "We know this time of year, families, particularly children, are involved in a lot of different water activities, so we want to encourage parents to start making some decisions about lessons." Buckner urged the public to wear appropriate swimming gear such as life-saving vests to avoid such incident and highlighted the dangers of the Wolf River. "The Wolf River is very unpredictable for the most experienced people," Buckner said. "We want parents to take this opportunity to have serious conversations and make critical decisions about water safety, and the right or appropriate equipment where you going to be out on the water." The deputy added: "Not a single person who been recovered out of Wolf River since 2013 has been wearing a life jacket. So, our plea to the public (is) anytime you are around swift or unfamiliar water, such as the Wolf River, bring some type of life saving jackets." Saman Shafiq is a trending news reporter for USA TODAY. Reach her at sshafiq@ and follow her on X and Instagram @saman_shafiq7.
Yahoo
28-05-2025
- Yahoo
Erie High students complete new program to jumpstart medical careers
Students at Erie High School were recognized for their participation in a pilot program at UPMC Hamot that introduces seniors to what it takes to be a health care professional. The UPMC Junior Scholars program provided these students a jump start to their careers. Two juveniles arrested for assault on Erie street violinist Students took part in paid positions where they acted as patient and family concierges, offering compassion and support to families during their hospital stay. 'Five of these six are moving on to college education and will work here in different capacities. We also have one that just took a full-time position in our transport department as well,' said Josh Hoffman, director of nursing administration at UPMC Hamot. 'It helped me a lot because now I see how difficult it can be, and how I can work around it being difficult,' said Jonathan Wassolu, an Erie High senior. Erie Co. Veteran Memorial Park construction will soon be complete 'I would say my experience went very well. It was eye-opening and hands-on,' Chanele Niyukuri, another Erie High senior, told us. Students were handed certificates on Wednesday and demonstrated their work. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
