Morgantown/Honey Brook townlively.com
JANUARY 24, 2024
SERVING THE LOCAL COMMUNITIES SINCE 1954
VOL XXXI • NO 51
VisionCorps in need of volunteer drivers BY FRANCINE FULTON
VisionCorps is looking for volunteers to help drive people who are blind and vision-impaired. Volunteer opportunities are available in both Lancaster and Chester counties. Especially needed are volunteers willing to drive VisionCorps staff members to clients’ homes,
where they teach them the skills they need to live independently. “They can use their own car or a VisionCorps vehicle,” explained Carol Gifford, community relations specialist. “We help them with mileage (reimbursement) if they use their own car.” She noted that two staff members have a regular need for transportation, so VisionCorps See VisionCorps pg 5
Steve Schafebook (outside car), a case manager with VisionCorps, speaks to Jerry, a client.
Half-Pint, a bloodhound, is the mascot for the Miller-Keystone Blood Center.
Give the gift of life BY FRANCINE FULTON
H
ealthy people age 17 and over are encouraged to give the gift of life this winter by donating blood through the Miller-Keystone Blood Center. Sixteen-year-olds may also donate with parental consent. According to Marie Clemens, director of communications, blood is especially needed during the winter months, when donations decrease. “(The supply) is lower than we would like it to be,” said Clemens. “Certain times of the year
are traditionally lower - middle of summer and middle of winter because of inclement weather. If it is snowing, people won’t come out.” She added that winter is also cold and flu season, and having one of these illnesses makes donors ineligible. Clemens noted that blood donations are still affected by the pandemic. “A lot of donors did not come back. Some are uncomfortable donating in rooms with other donors even though we practice social distancing,” she stated, noting that blood drives at
area schools have also decreased. “About 20% of donations come from (blood drives held) at high schools and colleges. Not all schools are running blood drives to the same degree (as before the pandemic). That has impacted our collections.” After making an appointment to donate blood, people should arrive at the location with a valid driver’s license or other form of identification. Donors are then asked to answer medical questions, and a trained medical screener will do a health check,
BY FRANCINE FULTON
Providing encouragement, information and comfort to those newly diagnosed with cancer as well as cancer survivors is the goal of the cancer support group that meets at Conestoga Mennonite Church. Meetings are held year round at 7 p.m. on the third Thursday of the month, with the exception of a summer break in June and August.
According to cancer survivor Cheryl Heineman, who leads the group, meetings generally feature a guest speaker or educational program. “The guest speaker is at the beginning of the evening. When the guest speaker is finished, we take a break and come back as a group and share updates and what is going on in our lives. It helps to know where everyone is and how they are feeling,” said Cheryl. “If there is no speaker, I have different topics that I know See Support group pg 4
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See Blood donations pg 5
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MCC
Miller-Keystone Blood Center seeks donations
Cancer support group offers comfort and encouragement