Blood Shortage Nears Crisis Level – Please Give Now
Most people enjoy many summer activities, but summer is also a time of increased accidents, trauma incidents, and other mishaps that result in a desperate need for blood. Alyssa Drown, the marketing manager of Central Jersey Blood Center (CJBC), said, “Right now we are facing a frightening shortage of something that only people can supply – blood. Our local and national blood supplies are dangerously low. No substitution exists for human blood; it cannot be manufactured!”
CJBC, 494 Sycamore Avenue, Shrewsbury, N.J., a community-based, nonprofit blood collection and distribution organization, strives to save lives every single day by providing safe blood products, such as platelets, red cells, and plasma, that go to local New Jersey hospitals and benefit patients right here in the community.
CEO Pascal George noted, “Our forecast for this summer shows at least an additional 1,000 donations will be required from new donors to meet our hospital needs alone. We are very thankful for all our regular donors who help us maintain an adequate blood supply year round, but we are facing a crisis that needs the public’s immediate help.”
Evelyn Suarez explains how blood donations have helped her. Suarez, age 50, of Tinton Falls, N.J., who was diagnosed with AML (Acute Myeloid Leukemia) this February, said, “My life changed for what I thought would be the worst. I had no idea the battle I was in for; but, what I did know was that I would fight to WIN.
Since my diagnosis, I have had 80+ blood transfusions and 70+ units of platelets. Without the blood donors here in our community I don’t know if I would have survived. I am scheduled for my bone marrow transplant on July 12, 2017. The rest is in God’s hands. I will have a second chance of life because of all of the donors who have brought me this far.”
Suarez and other patients like her are depending on donors every day to provide them with the lifesaving products they need to keep fighting. The summer presents the difficult challenge of supporting local hospitals because of an increased need.
CJBC is urging everyone, 17 years of age and up, to give a donation of blood as soon as possible. Drown said, “We especially need negative-type red cells A-, B-, O-, and all-type platelet donations.”
Director of Donor Relations, Michael Leviton, said, “At this point, the need for blood donations is an absolute emergency. We are appealing to everyone to make donating blood a priority. For those who are already donating blood, thank you. It is appreciated and needed.”
Blood donations can be made at one of three donor centers: Howell, Toms River, and Shrewsbury or at a mobile drive near you. Appointments are preferred but walk-ins are welcome. Call 1-888-71-BLOOD (25663) to schedule an appointment or for questions. For more information, visit www.cjbcblood.org.
Donor Centers:
Shrewsbury: (732- 842-5750) Monday, Wednesday, and Fridays 7:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.; Tuesday, 7:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.; Thursday, Noon to 8:00 p.m.; Saturday, 7:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., and Sunday 7:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
Howell: 4068 Route 9 South, Howell Plaza Shopping Center (732 901-0720) Monday and Wednesday, Noon to 8:00 p.m.; Thursday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.; Friday and Saturday, 7:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Closed Tuesdays and Sundays.
Toms River: 1256 Indian Head Road & Route 9 South, Indian Head Shopping Plaza (732-349-3110), Monday, Noon to 8:00 p.m.; Tuesday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.; Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.; and Saturday, 8:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
It’s Paw-ty Time for Your Dog! Beasley Media Group to Host Annual Bark in the Park
Every dog should have its day – right? Give your dog his or her day by taking your pet to the annual “Bark in the Park,” hosted by Beasley Media Group radio stations 100.1 WJRZ and 95.9 the WRAT, at FirstEnergy Park, 2 Stadium Way, Lakewood, N.J., Sunday, July 16, 2017, from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., rain or shine.
Before the game begins, pets can enjoy a variety of free activities, such as Silly Pet Tricks and a Pet Parade, which take place on the field, a Doggie Adoption Showcase, and other four-legged festivities. Watering stations are available. All animals must be on a leash and have up-to-date shots.
Local animal shelters, rescue groups, and humane societies will also be on site to help you choose the right dog for you to adopt. Interested vendors should contact Jackie at 732-681-3800 Ext. 330
With the purchase of lawn seats for $10.00 and a Pooch-Pass for $2.00, leashed dogs and their owners can also enjoy special seating area for the baseball game that day at 1:05 between the Lakewood BlueClaws and the Charleston RiverDogs.
Each radio station will be broadcasting live from FirstEnergy Park: Christy Springfield for 100.1 WJRZ and Jimmy Steal for 95.9 WRAT. Sponsors of Bark in the Park include Ashley’s Homestore in Eatontown and Freehold; Pine Belt Auto Group; Ocean County Veterinarian Hospital, Brick; New York Life; Howell Animal Hospital; Scott Motor Coach, Lakewood; Quality 1st Basement Systems; and North Star Vets.
For tickets to Bark in the Park, call 732-901 7000, Option #2. For up-to-date information, call 732-901-7000 or visit www.blueclaws.com. For questions about Bark in the Park, contact Marie Daley, promotions director, at 609-597-1100 Ext. 204.
ABOUT BEASLEY MEDIA GROUP: Beasley Media Group, Inc. is a subsidiary of Beasley Broadcast Group, Inc., which owns and operates 63 stations (45 FM and 18 AM) in15 large- and mid-size markets in the United States. Approximately 19 million consumers listen to Beasley radio stations weekly over-the-air, online, on smartphones and tablets and engage with the Company’s brands and personalities through digital platforms such as Facebook, Twitter, text, apps and email. For more information, please visit www.bbgi.com.
It’s Not Just Needles! Andrew Greenberg Speaker at July 11 Lunch Meeting
It’s not just needles! Andrew Greenberg, Toms River, a third year acupuncture student at Eastern School of Acupuncture and Traditional Medicine, Bloomfield, will explain and demonstrate many features of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) at the Lunch a Little, Learn a Lot business meeting, noon to 1:30 p.m., Tuesday, July 11, 2017, at Charlie Brown’s Restaurant, 400 Route 70 West, Lakewood, N.J. The cost is $15 and includes Charlie Brown’s salad bar, a lunch entrée, a beverage, and an educational presentation. Walk-ins welcome.
Greenberg will explain cupping, Tui Na, Moxibustion, and Qigong, among other techniques to improve health and well-being. Greenberg, a Lakewood native, is well-known in the shore area for the last 32 years, first as an owner of the downtown Lakewood retail store, Maegreen Gifts and then working for Trinity Solar for eight years. Greenberg lives in Toms River with his wife and two children.
Once Greenberg has completed his studies at the Eastern School of Acupuncture and Traditional Medicine, he plans to open an acupuncture healing center in the Toms River area.
For more information, call Andrew Greenberg at 908-910-2606 or email him at andrewgreen1449@gmail.com.
OHI Announces Its 2017 Summer Hours
OHI, (Ocean Health Initiatives), a federally qualified health center with offices in Lakewood, Toms River, Manahawkin, Manchester, and Little Egg Harbor, has announced its 2017 summer hours for all locations. Starting this June, OHI began its summer hours of operation. All sites will be open Monday and Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.; Tuesday through Thursday, from 8:00 a.m. until 8:00 p.m., depending upon location. Late night and Saturday appointments, not available during the summer, will resume in the fall.
For information about OHI, call 732-363-6655 or visit www.ohinj.org. For questions about summer hours, contact Douglas Clark, marketing manager, at 732-719-9026.
About Ocean Health Initiatives (OHI): OHI, a nonprofit 501(c)(3) federally qualified health center (FQHC), has five health centers, a Mobile Medical Unit, and two school-based wellness programs in Ocean County. OHI health centers are at 101 Second Street, Lakewood; 301 Lakehurst Road, Toms River; 333 Haywood Road, Manahawkin; Manchester, 686 Route 70 , Lakehurst; 798 Route 539. Building 3, Little Egg Harbor. The school-based wellness programs in Lakewood are in the Clifton Avenue Elementary School, 625 Clifton Avenue; and Lakewood High School, 855 Somerset Avenue, Suite A. The Lakewood, Little Egg Harbor and Manchester health centers have pharmacies.
OHI provides comprehensive primary and preventative health and dental care to Ocean County’s uninsured, underinsured, and insured populations. A sliding-fee scale is available, based on an individual’s or family’s ability to pay. Services include family and internal medicine, dental, pediatrics, women’s health, behavioral health and social services, podiatry and pharmacy services. OHI has a bilingual staff available to assist patients and callers. To become a patient of OHI, call 732-363-6655. Visit www.ohinj.org for further information.
Corporate Offices of Ocean Health Initiatives Move to Neptune
Ocean Health Initiatives, Inc. (OHI), 101 Second Street, Lakewood, N.J., a federally qualified health center, has moved its corporate offices and administrative staff to larger quarters at 3600 Route 66, Suite 400, Neptune, N.J. Clinical services will occupy the space vacated in the Lakewood Health Center.
Senior management and administrative staff in the Call Center, IT, billing, wellness, and marketing departments are now located in Neptune. All Health Centers, however, will continue to operate and offer its services in Ocean County with no changes.
About Ocean Health Initiatives (OHI): OHI, a nonprofit 501(c)(3) federally qualified health center (FQHC), has five health centers, a Mobile Medical Unit, and two school-based wellness programs in Ocean County. OHI health centers are at 101 Second Street, Lakewood; 301 Lakehurst Road, Toms River; 333 Haywood Road, Manahawkin; Manchester, 686 Route 70 , Lakehurst; 798 Route 539. Building 3, Little Egg Harbor. The school-based wellness programs in Lakewood are in the Clifton Avenue Elementary School, 625 Clifton Avenue; and Lakewood High School, 855 Somerset Avenue, Suite A. The Lakewood, Little Egg Harbor and Manchester health centers have pharmacies.
OHI provides comprehensive primary and preventative health and dental care to Ocean County’s uninsured, underinsured, and insured populations. A sliding-fee scale is available, based on an individual’s or family’s ability to pay. Services include family and internal medicine, dental, pediatrics, women’s health, behavioral health and social services, podiatry and pharmacy services. OHI has a bilingual staff available to assist patients and callers. To become a patient of OHI, call 732-363-6655. Visit www.ohinj.org for further information.
New Jersey Health Care Network Meeting July 11
The monthly meeting of NJ Health Care Network, a free organization for anyone in the health care industry, including those who provide ancillary products and services, is Tuesday, July 11, 2017, from 8:30 to 10:30 a.m. at Allaire Rehab & Nursing, 115 Dutch Lane Road, Freehold, N.J. 07728.
The NJ Health Care Network provides an opportunity to build relationships among health care professionals, market events, and promote business. Meetings take place in a different New Jersey county each month.
For more information about NJ Health Care Network, email Lisa Gallicchio, director of community relations for Preferred Home Health Care & Nursing Services, Eatontown, at lisa@preferredcares.com, call 732-547-9886, or visit www.njhcnet.com for the monthly location and member events.
Cancer Screenings and Mammograms Available Through OHI
Ocean Health Initiatives (OHI), a federally qualified health center (FQHC) with locations throughout Ocean County, is working with the state-sponsored program New Jersey Cancer Education and Early Detection (NJCEED) to provide cancer screenings, such as mammograms, to underinsured and uninsured patients through patient referrals.
Mammograms are being offered at Health Village Imaging, 1301 NJ-72 #100, Manahawkin; Monmouth Medical Center, Jaqueline Wilentz Breast Center, 300 Second Avenue, Long Branch; or Monmouth Medical Center Southern Campus, 600 River Avenue, Lakewood.
OHI is focused on bringing specialty health care services to the communities of Ocean County. NJCEED provides comprehensive cancer education and community outreach to the vulnerable populations of New Jersey.
For more information or to make an appointment, contact Wendy Cameron, Patient Navigator, at 732-363-6655 ex. 8984 or visit our website at www.ohinj.org/NJSEED.
About Ocean Health Initiatives (OHI): OHI, a nonprofit 501(c)(3) federally qualified health center (FQHC), has five health centers, a Mobile Medical Unit, and two school-based wellness programs in Ocean County. OHI health centers are at 101 Second Street, Lakewood; 301 Lakehurst Road, Toms River; 333 Haywood Road, Manahawkin; Manchester, 686 Route 70 , Lakehurst; 798 Route 539. Building 3, Little Egg Harbor. The school-based wellness programs in Lakewood are in the Clifton Avenue Elementary School, 625 Clifton Avenue; and Lakewood High School, 855 Somerset Avenue, Suite A. The Lakewood, Little Egg Harbor and Manchester health centers have pharmacies.
OHI provides comprehensive primary and preventative health and dental care to Ocean County’s uninsured, underinsured, and insured populations. A sliding-fee scale is available, based on an individual’s or family’s ability to pay. Services include family and internal medicine, dental, pediatrics, women’s health, behavioral health and social services, podiatry and pharmacy services.
OHI has a bilingual staff available to assist patients and callers. To become a patient of OHI, call 732-363-6655. Visit www.ohinj.org for further information.
Free Music Concerts and Special Events This Summer in Lakewood
Lakewood residents can enjoy free Lakewood Township music concerts and special events during July and August. Concerts are held at the Lakewood All Wars Memorial Amphitheater near Lake Carasaljo, off Route 9, on North Lake Drive.
All concerts by the Lake are sponsored by Lakewood Township Recreation.
July 3 at 7:30 p.m.: Wilbur Wittemann Patriotic Band concert, followed by fireworks.
July 11 at 5:15 p.m.: Cattus Island Pontoon Tour, Adults only. Must register by 5:15 p.m. Seating is limited.
July 19 at 7:00 p.m. Lakewood Band Camp concert, conducted by Andrew Fodor,
at Pine Park, Clarence Brown Pavilion
July 20 at 11:00 a.m.: Lakewood Band Camp concert, conducted by Andrew Fodor, in Lakewood Town Square
July 26 at 5:00 p.m.: Cattus Island Family Pontoon Tour, Ages 4 and up. Must register by 5:00 p.m. Seating is limited.
Aug. 3 at 5:00 p.m.: Lakewood Police Department, “Night Out against Crime,” in Pine Park
and
Aug. 3 at 6:00 p.m. Big Band Boot Camp concert, conducted by Wilbur Wittemann in Pine Park
Aug. 11 at 5:00 p.m. Cattus Island Pontoon Tour, Adults only. Must register by 5:00 p.m. Seating is limited
Aug. 14 Lakewood Police Department, “Police Camp.” Call 732-363-0200, Ext. 5199 at 5:00 p.m.
Aug. 29 at 4:00 p.m. Cattus Island Family Pontoon Tour, Ages 4 and up. Must register by 4:00 p.m. Seating is limited.
For further information, call the Lakewood Recreation office at 732-905-3405, Ext. 6017 or visit www.lakewoodnj.gov.
Lakewood Summer Athletic Programs Begin July 5
Lakewood Township Recreation Department programs from nominal fee instructional band camp, co-ed soccer, and wrestling to free playground and summer fun camp are beginning July 5 for children up to grade 12.
Instructional Band Camp: This camp is designed for students in grades 4 to 12 includes beginner’s lessons for a new instrument; group rehearsals and sectionals for all wind, string, percussion instruments; music videos, and lunch from July 5 through July 21, 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., Monday through Friday. Fee: $5.00 for Lakewood residents; $100.00 for non-Lakewood residents (first child) and $50.00 for each additional child. Preregistration is required. Contact the Lakewood Recreation Office (732-905-3405, Ext. 6017) or Wilbur Wittemann at www.lakewoodjazz.com.
Free Playground Programs: All Lakewood children, ages 6-15, can enjoy activities designed by experienced adult supervisors and free lunch from July 5 to August 11, Monday through Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. at one of seven playgrounds. Parents must register at either Clarke School, Clifton Avenue School, Larry D’Zio Park, Pine Park, Rev. Clayton Park, Spruce Street School, or Hearthstone Park. In case of inclement weather, listen to WOBM for closing information. Although supervision is provided, children are free to leave the playground at any time.
Free Summer Fun Camp: Children ages 3 (June 1) to 5 years of age will enjoy arts and crafts, nature walks, free lunch, games, and special events under the supervision of qualified staff, Monday to Friday, 9:00 a.m. to Noon, July 5 to August 11 at School #5 playground. Parents must register their child on the first day, and proof of age and residence is required.
Co-Ed Soccer: Learn to play soccer with instruction and games. Mondays and Wednesdays, John Patrick Sports Complex for Lakewood children ages 4 to 12 years old, from 6:00 –to 7:00 p.m.; ages 7 to 9 from 7:00 to 8:00 p.m.; ages 10-12 years from 8:00 to 9:00 p.m.; and Middle and High School children, from 9:00 to 10:00 p.m. Fee: $10 registration fee, first child, $5.00 each additional child
Wrestling: Learn the skills and techniques of wrestling for children in grades 1-12., Thursdays, 6:00 to 8 p.m., Lakewood Community Center. Fee: $10 fee for first child $5; each additional child.
For further information, call the Lakewood Recreation office at 732-905-3405, Ext. 6017 or visit www.lakewoodnj.gov.
Award-winning Documentary about Roman Jews during the Nazi Occupation to Be Shown at Ocean County Library, Toms River
What was the experience of Roman Jews living in Nazi occupied Rome? The public is invited to a free screening, an adult program, of the award-winning documentary film Oro Macht Frei (Gold Will Set You Free), Thursday, June 29, 2017, from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m. in the Toms River Branch of the Ocean County Library, 101 Washington Street, Toms River, N.J. Oro Macht Frei won the Best International Documentary award out of 15 submissions at the 2015 Garden State Film Festival.
Joel Markel, founder and president of Preferred Home Health Care & Nursing Services, Eatontown, and host of Preferred Company’s radio show on WOBM–AM, live Monday through Friday, 8:00 to 10:00 a.m., is the executive producer and founder of Ottimo Films, which created the 70-minute documentary that tells the story of the Roman Jewish experience during the Nazi occupation of Rome, September 1943 through June 1944.
The film seeks to create a personal reflection of the Holocaust in Italy by weaving testimony from Roman Jews who lived there with the historical research of Susan Zuccotti, Alexander Stille, and Liliana Picciotto.
“I made this film not only to tell of the Holocaust in Italy but as a way of eradicating hatred and bigotry throughout the world,” said Markel. “My wish would be for it to be shown in schools and institutions worldwide. It is our responsibility as adults to point young minds to healthy and free directions in a world of peace.”
Joel Markel, the son of a Hungarian Auschwitz survivor, wanted to honor the experience of his mother and the millions of victims of the Jewish genocide by contributing to the field of Holocaust memory. In 2004, during a tour of the Roman Ghetto, Markel first heard the story of Kappler’s Gold, an extortion plot perpetrated by Herbert Kappler, the head of the SS, who demanded 50 kilos of gold within 36 hours or 200 Jewish family heads would be deported. Markel immediately felt connected to this story because for generations his family had worked as jewelers.
To register or for more information, call 732-349-6200 or TheOceanCountyLibrary.org; or contact Lisa Gallicchio, director of community relations at Preferred Home Health Care & Nursing Services, at 732-547-9886 or lisa@preferredcares.com.
About Joel Markel: Joel Markel is the founder and president of Preferred Home Health Care & Nursing Services (PHHC), Eatontown, a company that provides a wide range of medical and non-medical home health care services from pediatric to geriatric care throughout New Jersey and Pennsylvania. He and his wife Stephanie recently received a recognition award for their long-term commitment to the Homeless Health Initiative (HHI), a volunteer outreach program run by Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP). PHHC provides home care for individuals in New Jersey and Pennsylvania.