Jan. B Lifestyle Briefs

Blood donors can help Make-A-Wish kids

During National Blood Donor Month in January, blood donors can double their impact by giving blood at Vitalant while also helping to grant wishes for children through Make-A-Wish Tri-Counties.

Vitalant will track the number of blood donations received at all four of its donation centers and nearly 85 community blood drives throughout the Central Coast. Vitalant centers in California and Northern Nevada will contribute money to Make-A-Wish in a collective effort to grant six wishes.

“Many young wish recipients also receive countless blood transfusions for their treatment, all made possible by Vitalant donors,” said Susan Noone, regional director for Vitalant. “For the third year of our amazing partnership with Make-A-Wish, we are growing to reach an even bigger goal of granting six wishes in California and Northern Nevada, thanks to the generosity of volunteer blood donors.”

Donors can also support Make-A-Wish by visiting their Rewards Account at blood4life.org and donating their rewards, equaling a personal monetary donation to help grant wishes.

In the past two years, more than 6,000 Vitalant donors have given blood throughout the Central Coast to save patients’ lives while raising more than $10,000 to help wishes come true for children with critical illnesses.

To schedule a donation appointment, visit Vitalant.org or call 877-25VITAL.

Livestrong for cancer patients returns to YMCA

The free Livestrong program for cancer survivors will return Feb. 5 to the Stuart C. Gildred Family YMCA in Santa Ynez and Feb. 4 to the Lompoc Family YMCA.

Cancer is a life-changing disease that takes a tremendous physical and emotional toll on those affected. By focusing on the whole person and not the disease, helps survivors move beyond cancer in mind, body and spirit, a Y spokesman said.

Trained wellness coaches work with participants as they transition from treatment to regaining their physical and emotional strength. Participants will receive a three-month membership and will participate in classes two days per week.

For more information, contact Regional Wellness Director Nicki Marmelzat at 805-686-2037 or nicki.marmelzat@ciymca.org.