NATIONAL GRAIN-FREE DAY
National Grain-Free Day on February 21st inspires families and friends to gather and enjoy each others’ company over grain-free meals. What a remarkable way to devote an entire day to loved ones who cope with dietary limitations. Not only does the day create a way to recognize the difficulties of a restricted diet, but it celebrates the family and brings everyone back into the kitchen for a meal designed just for them. Learn more…
Severe Blood Shortage: Urgent Community Appeal for Donations
A severe blood shortage is impacting the community, and Coffee Memorial Blood Center needs your help. Recent illness outbreaks have removed the ill and their caregivers from the donor pool. Preemptive school closures and corporate and institutional drive cancellations are piling up due to impending severe weather. Work from home precautions have removed donors from their routine habits of giving blood. The net result is thousands of lost blood donation appointments. As a result, CMBC’s ability to maintain a stable blood supply is critically strained. With a storm approaching, we are suffering disruptions at a time when the blood safety net is already weakened. Immediate community support is essential to support vital medical care.
Compounding this challenge, blood centers nationwide are struggling. Typically, in times of emergency, other blood centers could be relied on to help each other with the blood supply. However, with widespread illness and technical disruptions affecting one of the largest blood centers in the U.S., many other centers had to divert their reserve, sharable supplies to assist, leaving the national blood inventory severely drained. Without this safety buffer, we must rely on our local community to ensure patients receive the lifesaving blood they desperately need on an every-day-without-fail basis, not just achieving collections success measured by week-to-week or monthly averages.
“The situation is dire,” said Dr. John Armitage, president and CEO of Coffee Memorial Blood Center. “It’s like discovering your pantry is empty just when you need to prepare a meal—except the stores are closed, and the shelves are bare. We must act now to replenish the supply before things become a lot worse than a missed lunch or dinner.”
The urgency is further intensified by one of the most severe flu seasons in 15 years. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), “one indicator of flu activity is the percentage of doctor’s office visits driven by flu-like symptoms. Two weeks ago, that number was clearly higher than the peak of any winter flu season since 2009-2010, when a swine flu epidemic hit the nation.” This widespread illness has directly impacted donor turnout for many weeks now, making blood donations more critical than ever.
Blood donations are essential for cancer patients, trauma victims, burn survivors, mothers giving birth and others facing life-threatening conditions. Right now, demand is high while donations are declining, leaving hospitals with dangerously low supplies. Every donation can mean the difference between life and death.
We urge all eligible donors to make an appointment today. Your donation is a direct lifeline for those in need. Visit www.obi.org/appeal to schedule your lifesaving donation now.
Anyone who is healthy and 16 years old* or older can give blood. Donation typically takes only about an hour, and one donation saves up to three lives. Appointments to donate can be made online at obi.org or by calling 877-340-8777. Walk-ins are also welcome.
*16-year-olds must weigh at least 125 pounds and provide signed parental permission; 17-year-olds must weigh at least 125 pounds; 18+ year olds must weigh at least 110 pounds. Photo ID required.
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Coffee Memorial Blood Center is part of Our Blood Institute, the sixth-largest independent blood center in the nation, with 17 donor centers in Oklahoma, Arkansas and Texas. CMBC provides blood to all major hospitals in the High Plains region.
Sincerely,
Brad Duggan
Executive Director, Coffee Memorial Blood Center
AMoA exhibit shows
‘Layered Lives’ of
contemporary Cuban
women artists
The Amarillo Museum
of Art, located at 2200 S.
Van Buren, is hosting the
exhibit “Layered Lives:
The Art of Nine Contem-
porary Cuban Women
from the Discoveries in
Art – Certilman Family
Collection” now through
March 23. A reception is
scheduled for 6:30 p.m.
Feb. 21with cocktails and
hots d’oeuvres; admis-
sion is free for members
or $10 at the door.
This exhibition aims to
shed light on Cuban
women artists’ signifi-
cant contributions to the
cultural fabric of their
country and beyond.
The Amarillo Museum
of Art is located on the
Washington Street cam-
pus of Amarillo College,
and hours are Wednes-
day through Saturday, 11
a.m. -5 p.m. and Sunday,
1-5p.m. For additional in-
formation, visit www.a-
moa.org, email amoa@
actx.edu, or call (806)
371-5050 or (806) 371-
5392 (weekends).
Winery Comedy Tour: Nationally touring comics bring the laughs to Bar Z Winery. (7 p.m. Friday; 19290 Farm-to-Market Road 1541; tickets $13 to $20; 806-488-2214)
Dale Smith: The Amarillo singer cooks up some tunes for a two-night stand at Tokyo Steakhouse. (7:20 p.m. Friday; 5807 S.W. 45th Ave.; 806-358-8888)
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Event Details:
Date: February 22, 2025
Time: 8:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m.
Location: 3801 S Western St, Amarillo, TX 79109
Who Should Attend?
- Parents, grandparents, foster parents, and family members
- Siblings and professionals in the disability field
- Community members who want to make a difference
This event will feature local resources available to answer your questions and provide guidance. Whether you’re a parent, professional, or advocate, this is your chance to connect with experts and gain valuable tools to support individuals with disabilities.
Presentation Topics Include:
- Medicaid Waiver Programs
- Transition Panel of Local Experts
- Emergency Preparedness
- Youth Self-Advocate Panel – Hear inspiring stories from young leaders as they share their personal journeys and offer advice to parents.
How You Can Participate:
- Register to Attend: Join us for this empowering event.
- Spread the Word: Please share this opportunity with families, professionals, and community members in your network.
- Register as an Exhibitor: If you or your organization would like to host an information table, we invite you to register and connect directly with attendees.
Important Links:
Attendee Registration: bit.ly/2025-PEN-Village
Parent Stipends: bit.ly/2025-PEN-Village-Stipend
Exhibitor Registration: bit.ly/2025-PEN-Village-Exhibitor
Questions?
Email: PENdirectorPRN@gmail.com
Phone: 915.259.8717
We hope you’ll join us for this impactful event and help spread the word. Together, we can make a meaningful difference in the lives of individuals with disabilities and their families.
Warm regards,
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Amarillo Tattoo Expo: Tattoo artists from around the country converge for this Ink Masters-sponsored show at Ashmore Inn & Suites. (11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Saturday; continues through Sunday; 2315 E. Interstate 40; ticket prices vary; inkmasterstattooshow.com
Black Excellence Food Festival: Black-owned Amarillo restaurants come together in this delicious Black History Month event. (1 to 5 p.m. Saturday; Black Historical Cultural Center, 901 N. Hayden St.; tickets $20; 501-308-9227)