Latest news with #donation
RNZ News
11 hours ago
- Business
- RNZ News
Paypal withholding money donated for families in Gaza
money internet 22 Jul 2025 A collection of money donated by New Zealanders for families in Gaza is being withheld by Paypal for no reason. Emily Writes spoke to Charlotte Cook.
Yahoo
17 hours ago
- Health
- Yahoo
US organ donation system faces scrutiny and changes after reports of disturbing near-misses
WASHINGTON (AP) — The U.S. is developing new safeguards for the organ transplant system after a government investigation found a Kentucky group continued preparations for organ donation by some patients who showed signs of life, officials told Congress Tuesday. While the organ removals were canceled, near misses that some lawmakers called horrifying should never happen. A House subcommittee asked how to repair trust in the transplant network for potential organ donors and families -- some of whom have opted out of donor registries after these cases were publicized. 'We have to get this right,' said Rep. Brett Guthrie, a Kentucky Republican who chairs the Energy and Commerce Committee and whose mother died waiting for a liver transplant. 'Hopefully people will walk away today knowing we need to address issues but still confident that they can give life,' Guthrie said, adding that he will remain a registered organ donor. The hearing came after a federal investigation began last fall into allegations that a Kentucky donation group pressured a hospital in 2021 to proceed with plans to withdraw life support and retrieve organs from a man despite signs that he might be waking up from his drug overdose. That surgery never happened after a doctor noticed him moving and moaning while being transported to the operating room — and the man survived. Lawmakers stressed most organ donations proceed appropriately and save tens of thousands of lives a year. But the federal probe – concluded in March but only made public ahead of Tuesday's hearing -- cited a 'concerning pattern of risk' in dozens of other cases involving the Kentucky group's initial planning to recover someone's organs. The report said some should have been stopped or reassessed earlier, and mostly involved small or rural hospitals with less experience in caring for potential organ donors. The Kentucky organ procurement organization, or OPO, has made changes and the national transplant network is working on additional steps. But notably absent Tuesday was any testimony from hospitals – whose doctors must independently determine a patient is dead before donation groups are allowed to retrieve organs. Here's a look at how the nation's transplant system works. There's a dire need for organ donation More than 100,000 people are on the U.S. transplant list and about 13 a day die waiting, according to the Organ Procurement and Transplantation Network. Only about 1% of deaths occur in a way that allows someone to even be considered for organ donation. Most people declared dead in a hospital will quickly be transferred to a funeral home or morgue instead. How the U.S. organ transplant system is set up Several groups are involved in every transplant: the hospital caring for someone dead or dying; the 55 OPOs that coordinate recovery of organs and help match them to patients on the waiting list; and transplant centers that decide if an organ is the right fit for their patients. Adding to the complexity, two government agencies — HRSA, the Health Resources and Services Administration, and the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services — share regulatory oversight of different parts of the donation and transplant process. How deceased donation works Most organ donors are brain-dead – when testing determines someone has no brain function after a catastrophic injury. The body is left on a ventilator to support the organs until they can be retrieved. But increasingly organs are donated after circulatory death, called DCD – when people die because their heart stops. It usually happens when doctors determine someone has a nonsurvivable injury and the family withdraws life support. Donation groups don't provide hands-on patient care Hospitals are required to alert their area OPO to every potential donor who is declared brain-dead or once the decision to withdraw life support is made. The OPOs by law can't participate in that decision and "we are not even in the room at that time,' said Barry Massa of Kentucky's Network for Hope. During the following days of preparation, hospital employees continue caring for the patient – while the donation team talks with the family about the process, gathers hospital records showing the patient is eligible, requests tests of organ quality, and make arrangements with transplant centers to use them. Once the hospital withdraws life support and the heart stops beating there's a mandatory wait – five minutes – to be sure it won't restart. When the doctor declares death, the organ retrieval process can begin. Organs are only considered usable if death occurs relatively quickly, usually up to about two hours. Sometimes that takes much longer and thus the organs can't be used – and HRSA's Dr. Raymond Lynch told Congress that doesn't necessarily mean anything was done wrong. Still, he said HRSA is investigating reports of possible mistakes elsewhere. 'This is a technically demanding form of care' that requires 'good collaboration between the OPO and the hospital,' he said. What happens next At issue is how doctors are sure when it's time to withdraw life support from a dying patient — and the delicate balance of how OPOs interact with hospital staff in preparing for donation once death occurs. In May, HRSA quietly ordered the U.S. transplant network to oversee improvements at the Kentucky OPO and to develop new national policies making clear that anyone – family, hospital staff or organ donation staff – can call for a pause in donation preparations any time there are concerns about the patient's eligibility. Lynch said the government now wants more proactive collaboration from OPOs to give hospital staff 'a clear understanding' of when to at least temporarily halt and reevaluate a potential donor if their health status changes. Kentucky's Massa said his group only received HRSA's reports this week – but that after learning about last fall's allegations, it made some changes. Massa said every hospital doctor and nurse now gets a checklist on caring for potential donors and how to pause when concerns are raised — and anyone can anonymously report complaints. ___ The Associated Press Health and Science Department receives support from the Howard Hughes Medical Institute's Department of Science Education and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. The AP is solely responsible for all content. Solve the daily Crossword
Yahoo
a day ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Local Charity Donates 400 Roller Bags to The Salvation Army
Wheels of Faith Foundation Partnership Brings Hope Through Mobility VANCOUVER, BC, July 22, 2025 /CNW/ - The Salvation Army announced a transformative partnership with the Wheels of Faith Foundation, receiving 390 high-quality roller duffel bags valued at $27,300 to support individuals experiencing homelessness in British Columbia. Wheels of Faith delivers donation of 390 roller duffle bags to The Salvation Army. L to R: Marty Vanderhoek, Wheels of Faith; Darla Faith Knight, President & Founder, Wheels of Faith; Gina Haggett, Divisional Director of Public Relations, The Salvation Army BC Division; Kim Findlay, Divisional Director of Development, The Salvation Army BC Division. (CNW Group/The Salvation Army British Columbia Division) The donation will be distributed throughout the community from several Salvation Army locations across the region. Vancouver Harbour Light, Belkin House, Grace Mansion, Richmond House Shelter and Victoria Addictions & Rehabilitation Centre all received a number of the bags, as well as Kate Booth House, a safe and confidential shelter providing a supportive environment for women and children escaping violence. These duffle bags will provide a dignified storage solution for individuals navigating housing transitions. The partnership emerged from Wheels of Faith Foundation's mission to provide practical solutions for individuals experiencing homelessness, starting with a single act of kindness in Langley. "This is the biggest, most blessed thing that could be happening with Wheels of Faith, with The Salvation Army," says Darla Knight, President and Founder of the Wheels of Faith Foundation. "Their reputation is amazing for helping people ... Couldn't have found a better partnership, for sure." "These duffel bags will definitely assist with the move, going from one particular phase of their unhoused situation to the next phase … It provides our community members with dignity and practical support during their transition journey," shared Alvin Chong, Director of Community Development for The Salvation Army Belkin Communities of Hope. For more information about the Wheels of Faith Foundation, visit About The Salvation Army: The Salvation Army is an international Christian organization that began its work in Canada in 1882 and has grown to become the largest non-governmental direct provider of social services in the country. The Salvation Army gives hope and support to vulnerable people today and every day in 400 communities across Canada and more than 130 countries around the world. Alvin Chong, Director of Community Development, Belkin Communities of Hope (left) accepts donation of roller bags from Wheels of Faith. (CNW Group/The Salvation Army British Columbia Division) Delivery of roller duffle bags donated by Wheels of Faith Foundation arriving at The Salvation Army's Richmond House Emergency Shelter. (CNW Group/The Salvation Army British Columbia Division) The Salvation Army logo (CNW Group/The Salvation Army British Columbia Division) SOURCE The Salvation Army British Columbia Division Cision View original content to download multimedia:
The National
a day ago
- The National
Best photos of July 22: Roadblock near Sweida to a sea turtle seen off Vanuatu
The Emirates Charity Portal You can donate to several registered charities through a 'donation catalogue'. The use of the donation is quite specific, such as buying a fan for a poor family in Niger for Dh130. The General Authority of Islamic Affairs & Endowments The site has an e-donation service accepting debit card, credit card or e-Dirham, an electronic payment tool developed by the Ministry of Finance and First Abu Dhabi Bank. Al Noor Special Needs Centre You can donate online or order Smiles n' Stuff products handcrafted by Al Noor students. The centre publishes a wish list of extras needed, starting at Dh500. Beit Al Khair Society Beit Al Khair Society has the motto 'From – and to – the UAE,' with donations going towards the neediest in the country. Its website has a list of physical donation sites, but people can also contribute money by SMS, bank transfer and through the hotline 800-22554. Dar Al Ber Society Dar Al Ber Society, which has charity projects in 39 countries, accept cash payments, money transfers or SMS donations. Its donation hotline is 800-79. Dubai Cares Dubai Cares provides several options for individuals and companies to donate, including online, through banks, at retail outlets, via phone and by purchasing Dubai Cares branded merchandise. It is currently running a campaign called Bookings 2030, which allows people to help change the future of six underprivileged children and young people. Emirates Airline Foundation Those who travel on Emirates have undoubtedly seen the little donation envelopes in the seat pockets. But the foundation also accepts donations online and in the form of Skywards Miles. Donated miles are used to sponsor travel for doctors, surgeons, engineers and other professionals volunteering on humanitarian missions around the world. Emirates Red Crescent On the Emirates Red Crescent website you can choose between 35 different purposes for your donation, such as providing food for fasters, supporting debtors and contributing to a refugee women fund. It also has a list of bank accounts for each donation type. Gulf for Good Gulf for Good raises funds for partner charity projects through challenges, like climbing Kilimanjaro and cycling through Thailand. This year's projects are in partnership with Street Child Nepal, Larchfield Kids, the Foundation for African Empowerment and SOS Children's Villages. Since 2001, the organisation has raised more than $3.5 million (Dh12.8m) in support of over 50 children's charities. Noor Dubai Foundation Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum launched the Noor Dubai Foundation a decade ago with the aim of eliminating all forms of preventable blindness globally. You can donate Dh50 to support mobile eye camps by texting the word 'Noor' to 4565 (Etisalat) or 4849 (du).
Associated Press
2 days ago
- Business
- Associated Press
Entergy Texas Donates $30,000 To Aid Flood Recovery Efforts in Central Texas
THE WOODLANDS, Texas, July 21, 2025 /3BL/ - To provide critical support to our neighboring communities, Entergy Texas is donating $30,000 to the Community Foundation of the Texas Hill Country to aid recovery efforts following the Central Texas floods. The foundation manages the Kerr County Flood Relief Fund, which helps provide rescue, relief, recovery services and flood assistance to impacted communities. 'We're heartbroken to see the damage and pain caused by the flooding,' said Eliecer Viamontes, CEO of Entergy Texas. 'We believe in being there for our neighbors—not just when the lights are on, but especially in moments of hardship. It's crucial that all Texans stand together during this time, and we hope this donation provides meaningful support to the affected communities.' The Kerr County Flood Relief Fund, a public charity based in Kerrville, supports urgent relief and long-term rebuilding after the devastating floods in Central Texas. To donate, please visit the Kerr County Flood Relief Fund donation website. Entergy Texas has a longstanding commitment to strengthening the communities we the Central Texas floods did not directly impact our own service area, it is our mission to support the broader region we call home. Whether through disaster response, volunteerism or charitable giving, we are proud to stand with communities across Texas to help build a more resilient future for all. About Entergy TexasEntergy Texas, Inc. provides electricity to approximately 524,000 customers in 27 counties. Entergy Texas is a subsidiary of Entergy Corporation. Entergy produces, transmits and distributes electricity to power life for 3 million customers through our operating companies in Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi and Texas. Its customers are connected to the Midcontinent Independent System Operator Inc. power grid, which is a regional transmission organization responsible for administering the transmission systems of member utilities in 15 states stretching across the central region of the United States and Manitoba, Canada. We're investing for growth and improved reliability and resilience of our energy system while working to keep energy rates affordable for our customers. We're also investing in cleaner energy generation like modern natural gas, nuclear and renewable energy. A nationally recognized leader in sustainability and corporate citizenship, we deliver more than $100 million in economic benefits each year to the communities we serve through philanthropy, volunteerism and advocacy. Entergy is a Fortune 500 company headquartered in New Orleans, Louisiana, and has approximately 12,000 employees. Learn more at and connect with @EntergyTX on social media. Media Inquiries:Entergy Texas Media 281-297-2353 (media line) [email protected] View original content here. Visit 3BL Media to see more multimedia and stories from Entergy Corporation
